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Board Member Max stated he felt the EPB should be talking about diversity because it is good <br />for wildlife. He stated that rather than all the same species, diversity should be looked at as well, <br />potentially no more than 20% on any given species. <br /> <br />Coordinator Anderson stated that typically, a lot of plans are coming in with one or two species <br />to accommodate 300-400 shrubs. He stated that he would be in favor of putting something in the <br />code that specified a limit or maximum on individual species. <br /> <br />Councilmember Strommen asked whether some minimum requirements around species could be <br />put into the code language so you have some things that are going to be faster growing to <br />establish some sort of canopy earlier, versus all Oaks which will be great 50-100 years from <br />now. <br /> <br />Coordinator Anderson stated that most Oaks are listed as preferred species in the Ramsey Tree <br />Book. <br /> <br />Board Member Sibilski reminded the EPB members about last month's discussion regarding <br />reducing the canopy cover on some of the trees that take so long, giving the full spread that most <br />people will not see. <br /> <br />Chairperson McDilda stated that the total area the tree would mature to could be reduced. He <br />suggested another alternative would be to somehow change the calculation for different species. <br />Chairperson McDilda stated that the total area could be reduced to get around the diversity issue. <br /> <br />Board Member Max stated the dilemma is that the EPB tried to factor in things that said life <br />expectancy should be looked at. <br /> <br />Board Member Hustvedt asked if there was an applicable factor that could be used across the <br />board. <br /> <br />Board Member Max stated it should be done for slow, fast, and moderate growth so there would <br />be three factors. He stated it wouldn't be unique to species. <br /> <br />Chairperson McDilda asked if it would be possible to put that into a grid or hierarchy that ~vould <br />allow staff to work with developers when talking about diversity in a canopy area. <br /> <br />Board Member Max stated he felt all that needed to be done would be to change the Tree Book. <br /> <br />Chairperson McDilda stated the EPB could go ahead and recommend it to Coordinator Anderson <br />to discuss it with the staff and if it's a go, to present to the City Council. <br /> <br />Board Member Max stated that the formulas are in City code. <br /> <br />Chairperson McDilda suggested that changes in the formula should stay in the Tree Book to <br />maintain the freedom that staff has recommended. He stated that changes have to coincide with <br />rationale. He stated that it can't just be because the EPB said them needs to be more trees going <br />in, or that the numbers were arbitrarily selected. He stated he felt there should be as much <br />thought as the EPB could give to it and then make recommendations to the City Council. <br /> <br />Environmental Policy Board / January 9, 2006 <br /> Page 5 of 16 <br /> <br /> <br />