Minutes - Environmental Policy Board - 02/06/2006

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Acting Chairperson Max stated the requirement would be for no genus to be over 25%. He noted the second example took him about three minutes to do the calculation and wasn't complicated. Board member Hustvedt stated that at least if it was in the code, the Zoning Coordinator could enforce it. Acting Chairperson Max stated that at least 25% and no more than 75% that is either deciduous or coniferous should be added to the code. Director Frolik stated it had to go to the Planning Commission for a public hearing before the City Council can approve it. Acting Chairperson Max stated that 25% was achieved in the first example. He noted that it was not specified in the second example that the committee studied. He stated they did it as plantings or canopy in the first example, but in the second example it was only canopy. Environmental Specialist Bacon stated that the Tree Book may have to be looked at for revision because there were trees listed under incorrect categories. Director Frolik stated that if the EPB has discussed all the changes they want to make, the next step would be to ask Zoning Coordinator Anderson to draft the new ordinance to make recommended changes. Acting Chairperson Max stated the EPB recommendation is to make a change to read that at least 25% and no more than 75% of the required canopy coverage is either deciduous or coniferous. Director Frolik asked if there were no coniferous on the site because they weren't indigenous to the region, whether a variance would be required or the Zoning Coordinator had some flexibility. Environmental Specialist Bacon stated that limiting species would control for the variety. Acting Chairperson Max stated it keeps people from putting in too many ash trees and inviting the pest. Environmental Specialist Bacon noted his observation that this emphasized relevance for a city tree inventory or community forestry inventory. He stated discussion would inform the EPB by knowing what the trends have been in the last 30 years in terms of mixed species. He stated it would help address the question of how to tweak the requirements in order to achieve the goal of assuring the retention of certain species in the community forestry as a whole, when reviewing the percentages. Motion by Board Member Olds and seconded by Board Member Freeburg to approve the recommendation as amended. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Acting Chairperson Max, Board Members Bentz, Freeburg, Hustvedt, Olds and Sibilski. Voting No: None. Absent: Chairperson McDilda Environmental Policy Board/February 6, 2006 Page 7 of 10