2015-10-07_PC_Agenda_Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Attachment A EJMCCPC XTRACT FROM THE OINTEETING OF ITY OUNCIL AND LANNING OMMISSION RTP,J6,2015 ELATED TO REERESERVATIONULY Ben Gozola, Sambatek and Mark Reeder, S & S Tree Service Mr. Gozola introduced Mark Reeder from S & S Tree Service, with each consultant providing a brief personal biography and a history of their company and services they provided. Mr. Gozola advised that he would be involved in the process and ordinance writing for each objective; with Mr. Reeder providing detailed expertise on tree preservation and replacement. Taking the lead in the presentation, Mr. Gozola advised that the intent was two-fold: to exactly understand what the community wished to accomplish, and general approaches based on feedback from the City Council tonight to reach an understanding. Mr. Gozola noted each community was different and provided examples of other communities and their variable foci. Mr. Gozola advised that he had researched meeting minutes from the City as part of his background information provided during this presentation and his findings of areas for discussion to glean a better understanding of the community. At the request of Chair Boguszewski, Mr. Gozola confirmed that woodland preservation areas included both private and public properties; frequently identified through GIS mapping; and ecologically rated by species. Councilmember McGehee noted the need to consider Roseville as a flyway area for migratory song birds over Minneapolis to Langton Lake and surrounding areas where quality vegetation is needed. Mr. Gozola reviewed tree ordinances for the cities of Minnetonka, Savage, and Farmington among others and their specific approaches. Chair Boguszewski expressed interest in the tree bank program as a concept he'd be interested in pursuing if moving in that direction in addressing replacement rates and incentives for woodland protection and tree "banking" credits. Commissioner Daire opined it seemed presumptive to have to replace or take the base line as it is now and anything coming later was referred back to that baseline, making it implicit that there was no consideration of or underlying idea that the current status is enough. Commissioner Daire suggested consideration also should be given to air quality, amount of shade, sunlight penetration you can use to define where or if you need additional foliage, and other issues as well. Mr. Gozola noted that this was getting to the heart of discussion, and sought to hear goals or what the City Council and Commission wished to accomplish; at which point he would work with staff to draft an ordinance to achieve those specific goals. Commissioner Murphy asked if any cities had a concept to put trees somewhere beyond a development like park; and opined that would have been nice alternative to have available with the recent Pizza Lucé development and nearby Oasis Park that could have benefitted. In his role serving as a Planner for the City of Victoria during a transitional period, Mr. Gozola advised that they allowed that concept in other areas of the community if no place was available on the existing project site, even though their ordinance was very strict. Councilmember McGehee suggested the use of trees along freeways as sound barriers, which had been considered in past discussions. Chair Boguszewski noted the issues brought up so far involved symmetric as mentioned by Commissioner Daire and a rationale for establishing goals.