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Associate Planner /Environmental Coordinator Anderson stated that portions of the ordinance are <br />average, portions are less restrictive, and other portions are more restrictive than other Metro <br />communities. <br />Chairperson Max stated that there was a developer on the Board when this ordinance was <br />developed and his thought was that he did not care what the ordinance said as long as it is <br />applied equally for all developments. <br />Board Member Valentine questioned the purpose of revisiting the ordinance. <br />Associate Planner /Environmental Coordinator Anderson explained that reviewing the tree <br />preservation standards was on the approved Work Plan. The purpose of reviewing the ordinance <br />is to determine if the Board is comfortable with it in its present format or if there is a desire to <br />research and recommend tree replacement standards. <br />Board Member Valentine stated that he did not feel that the Board had the proper information in <br />regard to setting the benchmark for replacement but felt that the Board could provide direction <br />on whether Ramsey should stand at the front of the pack for this issue or whether the community <br />should simply meet the average standards of other metro communities. <br />Chairperson Max stated that it would be helpful to have a Council liaison for this matter after the <br />Council holds its annual goal setting session. He believed that this is a good time for the <br />discussion because development has hit the bottom and should begin to pick up again. <br />Associate Planner /Environmental Coordinator Anderson stated that he will gather information <br />from similar ordinances from neighboring communities within Anoka County, and a few across <br />the Metro area, to bring back to the Board. <br />Chairperson Max questioned how Ramsey compares to Plymouth. <br />Associate Planner /Environmental Coordinator Anderson stated that it has been a while since he <br />reviewed the standards of Plymouth but believed that Plymouth is more stringent than Ramsey at <br />this time and provided examples. <br />Board Member Bentz noted that some of the older and more established communities have the <br />opportunity to be more stringent because their land is mostly used up and because their <br />community is already desirable. <br />Associate Planner /Environmental Coordinator Anderson explained that the purpose of the review <br />is not to deem how the City can become more stringent, but to determine if the ordinance <br />accomplishes its intended purpose. <br />Board Member Valentine agreed with Board Member Bentz that those thoughts should be kept in <br />mind when reviewing the ordinances of other metro communities. <br />Associate Planner /Environmental Coordinator Anderson noted that there are two overlay <br />districts, Wild and Scenic River District and the Critical River District, within Ramsey and <br />provided some background on both related to vegetation management, noting that the State did <br />Environmental Policy Board / January 7, 2013 <br />Page 3 of 5 <br />