Laserfiche WebLink
<br />may be reduced rather than require plantings that would overcrowd one another. He <br />stated that as it stands now, there is no mechanism to capture the trees that are being lost. <br />He stated the Tree Bank concept would allow the City to collect and use a set dollar <br />amount per tree for plantings elsewhere in the City. <br /> <br />Coordinator Anderson stated that he recalled a presentation by the Environmental <br />Coordinator for the City of St. Louis Park, who stated they have been using this type of <br />concept for quite some time. He stated that Staff is in the process of contacting other <br />communities regarding the Tree Bank concept and will summarize findings for the EPB <br />to discuss. <br /> <br />Chairperson McDilda stated that the concept is sound. He noted a sensitivity that <br />developers may be feeling penalized unduly because the City is requesting these <br />plantings. <br /> <br />Board Member Max stated there has been previous support for this concept. <br /> <br />Board Member Olds asked how the dollar amount would be determined if the developer <br />can't plant a set number of trees. He expressed his concern that the City may have some <br />administrative costs if the trees have to be purchased at a later date. <br /> <br />Chairperson McDilda stated the EPB should request information from other cities that <br />have instituted a Tree Bank. <br /> <br />Board Member Max asked if there were other alternatives besides requiring trees in front <br />of houses versus green space. <br /> <br />Board Member Bentz asked if the canopy cover formula could be used to determine the <br />amount to request for the Tree Bank. He asked how often this comes up. <br /> <br />Coordinator Anderson stated this became an issue when he went out to verify plantings <br />for an industrial site. <br /> <br />Board Member Max asked Board Member Olds, who is also a member of the Parks <br />Board, if there is a priority planting scheme within the Parks for location of tree <br />plantings. <br /> <br />Board Member Olds stated there was not a planting priority scheme. He added, however, <br />that if there were trees available, there would be parks available to accept them. <br /> <br />Chairperson McDilda stated if a Tree Bank were to be created, then it would be necessary <br />to research its functions. <br /> <br />Coordinator Anderson stated at some point, as the City grows, the trees are going to have <br />to be managed. As they die or get removed, they may need to be replaced. He stated this <br />would perhaps be a mechanism to fund a project that supplies trees. <br /> <br />Environmental Policy Board / September 11, 2006 <br />Page 7 of 13 <br />