b'most densely-populated sections of the city. It is also one the most commer- into the natural terrain. In most sections of the far south side, however, that nat-cially-vacant sections of the citytheres nothing there, really, except for threeural thicket was cleared generations ago for agricultural use and now that land Stripes stores, a small pizza joint, a little taqueria, and two coffee shops. Theis being redeveloped into residential subdivisions. In a section of the country water view commute between downtown and the far south side, Flour Bluffknown for its vast biodiversity, the Birdiest City in America, and a paradise for and the islands is one of the most traveled in the city on a daily basis, yet thereexperiencing the wild, natural South Texas habitat, most of the highly-desirable is nowhere to stop for a meal, gather at happy hour, or do some light shopping,new homes in Corpus Christi look like they were built on the surface of Mars.anywhere along this route. Even subdivisions that are five or more years in existence and did not start off The redevelopment of Pharaoh Valley is supported by the new front yard park- with trees, are still without trees less the substantial investment of money and ing law as much as any project in the city, and its success will improve the livespatience by those rare homeowners who miss them so much that they bring of its residents with new jobs, sustained home values, and a greater array of liv- them in long after their new homes are built. If City Council, however, sees the ing and leisure options for all Coastal Benders. Above all, this bold new measurevalue of requiring developers to plant trees in new subdivisions as part of the sends the message that our leaders are serious about improving quality of lifebuilding code, thousands of new home buyers will start off with the happiness here by raising standards that make Corpus Christi a more pleasant, desirablethat trees bring, rather than waiting for decades for them to grow on their own. place to live, work and raise a family. According to a City survey of residents, 77.5% desire streets with dense tree The next step that Mayor Paulette Guajardo and other members of Corpus Chris- coverage, and 75% say that trees add value to a home. Beyond the aesthetic ti City Council are proposing in the interest of improving neighborhoods is abenefits, trees, of course, provide shade from the blazing summer sun, thus tree ordinance for new residential development in single- and dual-family zonedlowering home energy costs, and trees provide venue for lovely birds that sing subdivisions. With the exception of the Pharaoh Valley golf course, Corpus Christito us! Above all, trees make life better for everyone, and home buyers will be less can only build far inland. In Flour Bluff and some areas of the south side, newmade to choose between a new, modern house or an older home in an attrac-subdivisions are being cut into dense brush country where homes are integratedtive, mature neighborhood with trees, but rarely both.TheCoastalBend.com THE COASTAL BEND GUIDE19'