HomeMy WebLinkAbout9A - Tree Preservation Task For
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16200 Eagle Creek Avenue S.E.
Prior Lake, MN 55372-1714
CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
JANUARY 17, 2006
9A
JANE KANSIER~ PLANNING DIRECTOR
CONSIDER APPROVAL OF A REPORT ON THE ESTABLlSHEMENT OFA
TREE PRESERVATION TASK FORCE
Introduction
On January 3, 2006, Councilmember Dornbusch proposed the creation of a
Tree Preservation Task Force. The purpose of this task force is to look at the
tree preservation requirements of the Zoning Ordinance and to recommend
modifications to the ordinance that will better preserve the urban forest. This
report recommends the mission and the format for this task force.
Historv
The tree preservation requirements of the Zoning Ordinance were originally
adopted by the City Council in January, 1996, in an effort to preserve our
urban forest but to also recognize some tree removal is inevitable. Since then,
there have been Some minor revisions to the ordinance. On at least 2
occasions since 1996, the Planning Commission also asked staff to review
these requirements, especially as they compared to other cities' requirements;
no changes were made in these cases.
Current Circumstances
As with any City Ordinance, the purpose of the tree preservation requirements
is to enhance the health, safety and welfare of the general population of the
City. At the same time, the ordinance must consider the property rights of
property owners, including the right to develop land. Finally, we must review
each ordinance in terms of the viability, effectiveness and cost of administering
the requirements. With this in mind, the Task Force should include
representatives of each of these groups.
Task Force Members: The staff recommends the following participants:
· Councilmember Dornbusch
. Planning Commissioner
. Jane Kansier, Planning Director
. AI Friedges, Parks & Fleet Supervisor
. Steve Albrecht, Public Works Director
· Dustin Kern, Arcon Development (Developers' Representative)
. Jim Stanton, Shamrock Development (Developers' Representative)
. Kyle Schroeder, Citizen Representative
Task Force Mission: The proposed mission of the task force is to review the
existing ordinance, compare it with ordinances in other communities, identify
shortcomings and recommend ordinance amendments. The task force
recommendations would be submitted to the City Council. If the Council
deems such action aDDroprl'at~'I'tkwould initiate an amendment to the Zoning
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Ordinance and direct the Planning Commission to conduct the necessary
public hearings. Following the public hearing, the Planning Commission would
forward its recommendation to the City Council for final action.
The suggested steps for the task force include:
. Meeting 1 - Introductions, thorough review of existing ordinance
provisions.
. Meeting 2 - Review ordinances from other communities and discuss
the positive aspects and the shortcomings of each.
. Meeting 3 - Further identify ordinance shortcomings and modifications
which would address them.
. Meeting 4 - Finalize proposed Task Force recommendations to the City
Council.
The task force would assist the staff in making the presentations to the City
Council and the Planning Commission. They would also be available to
respond to questions as they arise. The City Attorney would provide legal
advice to the Task Force and the City Council, and work with the Planning staff
to prepare any ordinance amendments.
ISSUES:
The Tree Preservation Task Force will most likely be a short-term group (90-
120 days), charged specifically with the task of reviewing the tree preservation
ordinance and making recommendations for changes to the Planning
Commission and the City Council.
The City Council should provide direction regarding the following:
1. Is the proposed size and representation of the task force appropriate
for this intended purpose?
2. Is the mission as was intended?
3. Does the process appear to be straightforward and promote the
mission?
4. Is the time line realistic?
FINANCIAL
IMPACT:
The creation of the Task Force has modest financial impact on the City. The
City will incur personnel related costs together with costs for preparation and
publication of ordinance amendments. Such costs are consistent with the
intended purpose and could be outweighed by foregone legal fees and other
considerations.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Council has the following alternatives:
1. Adopt the report and authorize the creation of the Tree Preservation Task
Force as recommended or with changes proposed by the Council.
2. Take no action.
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