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ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – September 4, 2019 5 <br /> <br />There being no comment Chair Gehrig closed the public hearing at 7:31 p.m. <br /> <br />Commissioner Jones asked if the City had someone on staff that was an arborist or forester. <br /> <br />Community Development Manager/City Planner Mrosla reported a member of the Public <br />Works Department had a forestry background. <br /> <br />Commissioner Lambeth asked if the amendment had a tree preservation provision for <br />developers. <br /> <br />Community Development Manager/City Planner Mrosla stated a provision was in place for <br />developers requesting a preliminary plat. <br /> <br />Commissioner Lambeth recommended all tree preservation requirements be reviewed by staff <br />with developers through the permit application process. <br /> <br />Community Development Manager/City Planner Mrosla indicated this was currently being <br />done by staff. <br /> <br />Commissioner Wicklund questioned what cases the City has had that brought this issue to light. <br /> <br />Community Development Manager/City Planner Mrosla reported he was unfamiliar with the <br />cases and deferred this question to Councilmember Holmes. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holmes stated this was an evolution and direction from the Council to staff <br />based on cases where residents have clear cut their lots, especially on the lake. <br /> <br />Community Development Manager/City Planner Mrosla explained staff was given direction <br />from the Council to see how other cities addressed clearcutting and how they worked to recoup <br />lost trees. He reported this information would be brought to the Commission at a future meeting. <br /> <br />Commissioner Wicklund stated it would be beneficial for the Commission to have practical <br />examples of clear cutting issues that occurred in the City. He explained he was trying to <br />understand the need for this code amendment and who it would impact. In addition, he wanted <br />to better understand if this code amendment was for developers or for residents. He indicated he <br />would also like to know more about what the penalty would be for breaking this portion of City <br />Code. <br /> <br />Community Development Manager/City Planner Mrosla commented this language <br />amendment was mostly development related. He agreed there should be an opportunity to impose <br />fines or require tree replacement. He indicated this would be difficult to enforce for residents <br />that were simply unaware of City Code tree preservation requirements. <br /> <br />Commissioner Zimmerman asked if an individual homeowner could remove a tree without a <br />permit. <br />