Agenda - Council - 11/14/2023 - Laserfiche WebLink

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1 Sections 350 through 354 pertain to tree preservation within the City of Ramsey. 2 3 351 Tree Preservation Purpose and Intent 4 (A) Purpose. The city council finds it is in the best interest of the city to protect, preserve, and enhance 5 the natural environment by encouraging a resourceful and prudent approach to development and 6 alteration of wooded areas. The city council also recognizes that some amount of tree loss is an 7 inevitable consequence of the development process. The tree preservation regulations herein attempt 8 to maintain a balance between one's rights to develop property with the needs and desires of the 9 community to protect the natural environment. 10 (B) Intent and Objectives. The intent of this section is to support the preservation and protection of 11 significant trees, or stands of trees, to promote the orderly development of such areas and minimize 12 public and private losses. The following regulations address the removal of trees associated with 13 new development. The city council finds that the following objectives are important to achieve the 14 purpose and intent of this division: 15 (1) To continue to seek recognition as a Tree City U.S.A. and to take all reasonable steps to 16 promote planting and conservation of trees throughout the city; 17 (2) To maintain and preserve the many benefits that trees provide including,but not limited to,the 18 following: 19 a. Character and aesthetics. 20 1. Trees help buffer different or conflicting land uses by establishing visual screening 21 and buffering noise, glare and heat abatement; 22 2. Trees conserve and enhance the city's quality of life and ecological and aesthetic 23 environment, especially its valuable and rural atmosphere; and 24 3. Trees provide important psychological benefits to the pef sons people within the 25 city and neighborhoods. 26 b. Wildlife habitat. Trees are essential to maintain wildlife habitat within the city. 27 C. Energy conservation. Trees assist in the moderation of climate by providing shade, 28 windbreaks, and the cooling of air; thereby reducing the requirements for air 29 conditioning and heating and the subsequent utilization of energy resources. 30 d. Improved Air and water quality. 31 1. Trees aid in the filtering of stormwater as it passes through the soil to the 32 groundwater; 33 2. Trees maintain permeable land areas essential to surface water management and 34 aquifer recharge; and 35 3. Trees aid in the purification of the air through the removal of carbon dioxide, the 36 generation of oxygen, and the precipitation of dust and other airborne pollutants. 37 e. Socioeconomic. 38 1. Trees enhance property values; and 39 2. Trees protect and preserve the unique identity and environment of the city and 40 aid in the development of the economic base attracted to the city by such factors. 41 f. Erosion and flood control. 42 1. Trees aid in the stabilization of soil by the prevention of erosion and 43 sedimentation; and 44 2. Trees reduce stormwater runoff and the costs associated therewith and aid in the 45 replenishment of groundwater supplies. 46 g. Privacy and buffering. Preservation of existing trees helps maintain privacy and 47 establishes a buffer between conflicting uses or varying residential densities. 48 (C) Administration. 49 (1) The city shall administer and enforce the provisions of this division. The city is authorized to 50 cause inspections on a scheduled basis when reason exists to believe that a violation of this 51 division has been or is being committed. Page 39 of 141