CC_Minutes_2014_0707 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Regular City Council Meeting Monday,July 7, 2014 Page 32 Councilmember Laliberte expressed her appreciation that this item had come back; and confirmed the need for various departments and advisory commissions (e.g. Public Works, Community Development and Parks & Recreation in this case) to work together with everyone on the same page and providing their partic- ular perspective and area of expertise. Councilmember Laliberte concurred with the comments expressed by her colleagues. Mayor Roe noted that there was no requirement in today's ordinance preventing a private property owner from eliminating all trees on a lot if there was no devel- opment triggering the tree preservation and restoration ordinance. Mayor Roe ex- pressed his interest in looking at something along those lines as well; and his fur- ther interest in being informed of what other communities do in that regard. By the same token, Mayor Roe opined that requirements needed to practical and real- istic to allow people to use their property as they choose. Mayor Roe suggested looking at an incentive approach versus outright ban; incentivizing mature and/or heritage tree preservation in some way. Councilmember Willmus expressed his distaste in a situation in Roseville requir- ing a person to be required to pull a permit to cut down a tree on their private property, opining that such a scenario reached too far. However, Councilmember Willmus expressed interest in the idea of incentives to retain trees, especially with certain developments; and wondered how to incentivize leaving trees for devel- opments and how that would work in actual application. Councilmember Etten spoke in support of an incentive system; and suggested in- put from builders, developers and staff. In addressing how to label trees but count their diameter, Councilmember Etten advised that he had considered whether applicable for significance would be measured as %2 inch replacement per inch of existing tree, while still meeting standards for heritage trees and their condition and life expectancy (e.g. ten year life expectancy remaining; and whether the tree was healthy or there was evidence of disease or infestation); but not requiring replacement at double diameter, which is a heritage tree, and bringing things into reality. In addressing incentives, Mayor Roe questioned if the City Council was interested in pursuing tree preservation in non-development situations; and if so, staff should be directed accordingly. Councilmember Laliberte suggested the situation be tossed to staff for their rec- ommendation; what is being done in other communities; and provide something for the City Council to discussion in the future. While not ruling it out, Coun- cilmember Laliberte agreed with Councilmember Willmus and was not interested in the permit process for removal of trees on private property; but was supportive