Cibolo City Council discusses tree removal, mitigation along Cibolo Valley Drive

Cibolo City Council on Jan. 10 discussed an update on the Cibolo Valley Drive Reconstruction Project regarding challenges with vegetation.

Cibolo Valley Drive has had challenges with trees drawing excessive amounts of moisture, which causes distress to the road, according to Capital Improvements Program Manager Elvin Hernandez.

To ensure the longevity of the rehabilitation, Hernandez said an estimated up to 140 trees could be removed.

Council was presented with multiple options, including to do nothing and leave all trees as they are; to leave no root barrier, which would see the removal of all 140 trees; or to leave a 6-foot root barrier, which would prevent the moisture from being drawn into the trees and remove 79 trees.

District 4 Council Member Katie Cunningham said greenery along Cibolo Valley Drive is part of the appeal of the road, and the removal of trees would make it lose that identity.

“One of the highlights of that entire road is that it feels like a parkway,” she said. “It has trees on either side, and it is green, and it doesn’t feel like an expressway. We are getting that with [FM] 1103.”

Council decided to pursue Option C, which would see the removal of an estimated 79 trees.

City staff will return to council with more direction and information regarding tree removal and mitigation Jan. 25.