Minutes - Environmental Policy Board - 10/03/2005

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Board Member Freeburg asked if that was at 54-inches. Board Member Olds asked for clarification about trees that are significant, but have very slow growth rates. He noted his concern that there may be a death sentence for preservation of some species. Zoning & Recycling Coordinator Anderson stated that some of the trees that are smaller in diameter don't necessarily need to be shown in the plan. He explained that if you're preserving the larger trees, at least some of the under story trees, by default, would be preserved as well. Chairperson McDilda stated that when plats come to Staff, a certified arborist must conduct the tree inventory. He asked if people other than arborists could be qualified to do that, based on Staff's request. He stated that one reason an arborist is stipulated in the ordinance is that someone with knowledge is doing a survey of the plat. Chairperson McDilda stated that when this is the case, the EPB should be able to define "significant tree". Board Member Max stated that it still has to be reasonably simple to do. He stated that if it is so complex you can't memorize it and recognize it; then it becomes difficult to administer. Chairperson McDilda stated that he felt all the noxious things should not be included in the plat plan. Board Member Freeburg asked Zoning & Recycling Coordinator Anderson how these trees are mapped out. Zoning & Recycling Coordinator Anderson stated that an "X" with a three, four, or five digit number is assigned. Board Member Freeburg asked if it was a pictorial map. Zoning & Recycling Coordinator Anderson stated that with an inventory on the site; they will provide a preservation plan on the preliminary plat that shows preservation and so forth. City Council Liaison Strommen stated that property lines would be visible with a bunch of "X's" so you can see where clusters of trees are located. Chairperson McDilda asked Zoning & Recycling Coordinator Anderson if he thought it would help if the EPB would make a three tier suggestion. Zoning & Recycling Coordinator Anderson stated he felt that would become convoluted from a Staff administration standpoint. Zoning & Recycling Coordinator Anderson stated that it could be simplified to stipulate that anything larger than a certain size should be inventoried. Chairperson McDilda asked if a blanket statement in the provisions of the ordinance for anything greater than 8-inch diameter for all other trees would work in the definition. Board Member Max concurred with Chairperson McDilda, adding that "preferred deciduous trees" wouldn't necessarily have to go on the list. He stated that all the "prohibited" should not be counted on the maps. Zoning & Recycling Coordinator Anderson stated that as the ordinance is written now, every tree needs to go on the plan. City Council Liaison Strommen concurred that this has been a complaint. Board Member Bentz asked Zoning & Recycling Coordinator Anderson about setting up guidelines and allowing it to be a judgment call by an arborist. He asked what Zoning & Recycling Coordinator Anderson thought about having something written as a guideline instead Environmental Policy Board / October 3, 2005 Page 6 of 16