Agenda - Environmental Policy Board - 10/02/2006

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may be reduced rather than require plantings that would overcrowd one another. He stated that as it stands now, there is no mechanism to capture the trees that are being lost. He stated the Tree Bank concept would allow the City to collect and use a set dollar amount per tree for plantings elsewhere in the City. Coordinator Anderson stated that he recalled a presentation by the Environmental Coordinator for the City of St. Louis Park, who stated they have been using this type of concept for quite some time. He stated that Staff is in the process of contacting other communities regarding the Tree Bank concept and will summarize findings for the EPB to discuss. Chairperson McDilda stated that the concept is sound. He noted a sensitivity that developers may be feeling penalized unduly because the City is requesting these plantings. Board Member Max stated there has been previous support for this concept. Board Member Olds asked how the dollar amount would be determined if the developer can't plant a set number of trees. He expressed his concern that the City may have some administrative costs if the trees have to be purchased at a later date. Chairperson McDilda stated the EPB should request information from other cities that have instituted a Tree Bank. Board Member Max asked if there were other alternatives besides requiring trees in front of houses versus green space. Board Member Bentz asked if the canopy cover formula could be used to determine the amount to request for the Tree Bank. He asked how often this comes up. Coordinator Anderson stated this became an issue when he went out to verify plantings for an industrial site. Board Member Max asked Board Member Olds, who is also a member of the Parks Board, if there is a priority planting scheme within the Parks for location of tree plantings. Board Member Olds stated there was not a planting priority scheme. He added, however, that if there were trees available, there would be parks available to accept them. Chairperson McDilda stated if a Tree Bank were to be created, then it would be necessary to research its functions. Coordinator Anderson stated at some point, as the City grows, the trees are going to have to be managed. As they die or get removed, they may need to be replaced. He stated this would perhaps be a mechanism to fund a project that supplies trees. Environmental Policy Board / September 11, 2006 Page 7 of 13