Minutes - Environmental Policy Board - 12/05/2005

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1. Subd. 8 a. (Planting Requirements) requires that after planting, all trees be protected with a biodegradable tree tube. Consensus of the Board was to eliminate this requirement. 2. Subd. 8 i. (Vision Clearance) should reference Section 9.11.01 (General Requirements) Subd. 7 which has been established by Public Works to maintain safe and unobstructed views at intersections. Consensus of the Board was to simply reference the Vision Clearance Triangle in 9.11.01 Subd. 7. 3. Subd. 9 (Replacement of Trees) states that a developer shall be required to maintain trees for one (1) year after the trees are planted. However, for multi-family developments, developers are responsible for trees for a two (2) year period from the time of planting and in single family developments, the planting requirement is many times satisfied by an individual home owner, not the developer. After some discussion, the Board determined that this stipulation should be removed. In 9.24.05 (Hazardous and/or Nuisance Trees) Subd. 2 b. specifies that no uncovered green pine or elm wood should be accumulated within the City between April 15th and October 15th. Staff had inquired as to whether oak wood should also be included, which led to a discussion about Subd. 2 c. It was determined that Subd. 2 b. should be eliminated and that Subd. 2 c. should either be eliminated or revised to conform to or reference Subsection 5.14 (Tree Diseases and Firewood Storage). In addition, Zoning & Recycling Coordinator Anderson stated that several other issues were discussed without a consensus or no clear Staff direction. The following issues were left unresolved: I. 9.24.04 (Private Trees in New Development Areas) Subd. 3 b. states that an ISA certified arborist shall conduct a tree inventory for any subdivision that involves the construction of roads or drainage conveyances. Staff had inquired as to whether other qualified persons should be able to perform this work. It does not appear, at least looking back at the minutes from that meeting, that there was a definitive recommendation from the Board on this matter. The Board determined that this Subdivision should be revised to include SAF certified foresters as well as ISA Certified Arborists. 2. 9.24.04 Subd. 8 k. (Tree Preservation Tree Density Standard Calculation) states that if removals exceed this standard (more than 60% of the inches of tree DBH), than replacement shall be consistent with the tree cover requirements in the R-2 or R-3 zoning districts. Chairperson McDilda requested that Board Member Max and Staff discuss this matter in more detail. After conferring with Board Member Max, it seems that this paragraph should be eliminated altogether as it implies that if at least forty percent (40%) of the DBH inches are retained, than no additional plantings would be required. The Board concurred that this Subdivision should be eliminated. 3. Currently, all trees, even those within wetlands and other areas that would be clearly outside the limits of any grading activity, are required to be inventoried. In Staff's opinion, trees outside the limits of any grading activity (trees in areas that will not be disturbed) do not need to be individually identified. While the Board did discuss this matter, there was no specific direction provided for Staff. This is a subject that is raised on almost all proposed subdivisions and should be addressed in the ordinance. Consensus of the Board was that the ordinance should specify that all Environmental Policy Board / December 5, 2005 Page 3 of 8