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MINUTES OF THE REGULAR ORONO CITY COUNCIL <br />MEETING HELD ON JULY 14,1997 <br />(#3) TREE PRESERVATION ORDINANCE UPDATE <br />Jabbour reported that he was of the understanding that the work reviewing a tree <br />preservadon ordinance should have been conducted by the Planning Commission. He felt <br />it was incorrect to keep the Planning Commission out of the process and contradictory to <br />the Comprehensive Plan. Moorsc responded that the Planning Commission has to be <br />included as part of the full process, and it was not the intent to leave them out of the <br />process. <br />Jabbour said he has received citizen comment that reflected the Planning CommisMon's <br />lack ofinvolvement in the process t^ date and fecb the process was reversed. He <br />that this is no reflection on the Park Commission. The Park Commission is to <br />comment on the review completed by the Planning Commission. Jabbour felt Planner <br />Van Zomeren q>ent more time than warranted and would like to see the process <br />conducted in the proper order. <br />Kdley asked why the ordinance was bcdng contidered. He a^ed what the vision is of a <br />tree ordinance and whether it was to regulate what can take place on property. Kdley <br />said he understood that the ordinance was initiated because of the Spring Hill Golf Chib <br />application. <br />Goetten noted that it is customary to attempt to protect tnies in the review of <br />applications before the Council. She indicated there is greater concern with subdivisions, <br />and the City currently has no recourse within the code as written. <br />Kell^ said he felt the market dynamics will take care of preserving trees as they aikl <br />intrinsic value to property that would decrease if trees were removed. Goetten said, <br />wttle a person may think that would occur, she questioned where the City would be <br />without the Shoreland Ordinance. Kelley asked for the opinion of the other Council <br />Members. Jabbour said the process started with good intentions but felt it might have <br />been wasted time. He would like to have seen the process periodically reviewed by the <br />Council. Goetten replied that she thought the ordinance was going to the Planning <br />Commission. <br />In noting differing opinions, Jabbour questioned what scenario the Council would want if <br />soTieone wanted to develop heavily treed property for a horse fenn. He noted that the <br />City not been totally successful in preserving trees the (J-TS* lakeshm'e setback. He <br />fell there should be a hiqjpy medium between preservation of trees and other scenarios. <br />Jabbour feh that deforestation should not take place.