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<br />Minnetonka rnay bolster trees against builders' ax <br /> <br />Page 2 of2 <br /> <br />The proposed tree ordinance would give the city more clout to make Minnetonka a more <br />beautiful place, but council members will remain flexible, Wiersum said. "We don't want to <br />paint developers into a corner. We want to preserve trees and habitat to the degree that <br />is reasonable while still respecting property rights." <br /> <br />The city's annual public-opinion survey indicates the council would be on solid ground in <br />tightening rules to protect trees. The survey earlier this year found that in Minnetonka <br />residents consider care of the natural environment as important as public safety. <br /> <br />The ordinance recognizes that trees contribute to the character and environment of the <br />city. It notes that a leafy canopy cleans the air, muffles noise, curbs erosion and provides <br />shade and privacy. Officials say the entire mass of trees must be cared for if Minnetonka <br />is to retain the woodsy atmosphere residents value. <br /> <br />As the suburb matures, "we have a lot of subdivision requests," Gunyou said. In some <br />cases homeowners are dividing large residential lots and selling them to build retirement <br />nest eggs. In other cases, a developer will buy two or three lots and come in with plans <br />for several new houses. <br /> <br />"All over the community we are seeing this sort of thing," Gunyou said. <br /> <br />Lot splits can be hard on trees, and their loss can be hard on neighbors. "The neighbors <br />who live there have always seen trees in that area and then don't like the idea that there <br />might be another house there," Gunyou said. <br /> <br />The proposed ordinance will go before the Planning Commission in December and to the <br />City Council in January. <br /> <br />Until this and other new environmental policies are in place, the city plans to continue a <br />moratorium on development that requires developers to bring plans to City Hall for <br />review, Gunyou said. <br /> <br />Laurie Blake. 612-673-1711 <br /> <br />Laurie Blake. Iblake@startribune.com <br /> <br />@ 2007 Star Tribune. All rights reserved. <br /> <br /> <br />http://www.startribune.com/106/v-print/story/ 1481970.htrnl <br /> <br />10/16/2007 <br />