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Regular City Council Meeting Monday, May 9, 2016 Page 15 a. City Council Discussion and Direction on Tree Replacement Fee Dollars and Replacement Planting Flexibility City Planner Thomas Paschke briefly reviewed this item as detailed in the RCA and related attachinents, May 9, 2016, noting the City Council had previously re- quested further discussion. Councilmember Etten noted one reason this came up was in looking at develop- ment of the former Owasso School site, as well as the development across from City Hall, kicking in the city's new tree preservation ordinance, and inability of the developer(s) to replace all the trees on their site that they would be required to do under the ordinance. Councilmember Etten noted this resulted in a conversa- tion on replacing trees on adjacent properties within the irnmediate development area. Councilmember Etten stated he preferred public/private land, whether spe- cific or not, but within the general area of the development. Councilmember Et- ten opined he found this a positive and important way to enhance the immediate area; and while not a requirement, it provided an opportunity for the developer to propose another option for meeting their tree preservation requirements. Mayor Roe suggested revised language on line 10 of the RCA to insert "private or" public lands throughout the city. Councilmember McGehee noted her original suggestion that the tree replacement should be within the neighborhood. 1VIayor Roe clarified that you either replace the tree or you pay a fee; but if replac- ing a tree, whether on public or private property if his suggestion is included, a decision was needed as to how those fees were used. Mr. Paschke asked if the City Council was supportive of case-by-case administra- tive approval by staff. Mayor Roe noted private property owners would need to be voluntary partici- pants. Councilmembers Willmus and McGehee spoke in support of staff-driven focus for approvals. Mr. Paschke noted that this would result in a more developer-driven process with staff as staff signs off on the necessary requirements with developers; and allowed staff to get the process completed as part of restoration after the development. Without objection, the City Council agreed with administrative approval by staff for tree replacement on private/public lands throughout the city.