12-07-22 PC Agenda Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – November 9, 2022 12 Community Development Director Jagoe stated the current ordinance requires fees paid in lieu of plantings to be used only for trees. She noted the change going forward would allow these funds to be used for landscaping and trees. Councilmember Holmes explained the proposed change would allow for greater flexibility when beautifying City right-of-way’s, parks and lands when a developer pays fees in lieu of plantings. Commissioner Weber questioned what the balance was of the tree fund. Community Development Director Jagoe explained she was uncertain of the fund balance. Commissioner Weber supported the City setting a percentage on what portion of the fund will be spent on trees and what percentage would be spent on landscaping. He indicated diseased trees were a big problem and he wanted the City to have funding set aside to replace diseased trees. Chair Vijums opened the public hearing at 8:29 p.m. Chair Vijums invited anyone for or against the application to come forward and make comment. There being no comment Chair Vijums closed the public hearing at 8:30 p.m. Commissioner Wicklund moved and Commissioner Collins seconded a motion to recommend approval of Planning Case 22-021 for a Zoning Code Amendments Ordinance 2022-007 to Chapter 13 in Section 1325.05 – Design Standards and Section 1325.55 – Tree Preservation of the Arden Hills City Code to add language to revise and update the City’s current tree preservation ordinance to include items, such as, landscaping and further clarify mitigation plan requirements and that those collected fees can be expended for tree and landscape purposes as presented in the November 9, 2022 Report to the Planning Commission. Commissioner Jefferys stated trees were important to her. She indicated she would like more information on this topic and suggested action on the item be tabled. Commissioner Wicklund pulled his motion from the floor in order to allow for further discussion. Commissioner Collins pulled his second from the motion. Chair Vijums explained he had thought this item would be considered rather quickly because the City Council had the right to make decisions on where these funds were spent. He explained he would not support a motion to table action on this item. Commissioner Jefferys stated she was not judging the Council’s decision making, but she would like more information.