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Chair Lindquist and Planning Commission Members <br />Michael P. Gaffron, Senior Planning Coordinator <br />December 10,1997 <br />Tree Preserv'ation and Reforestation <br />Lut of Exhibits <br />A, - Chronology of Tree Preservation Discussions and Activity To Date <br />B - List of Other Cities' Ordinances Reviewed <br />C - Basic Elements of Most Cities' Ordinances <br />D - Detailed APA Model Ordinance Outline <br />E - Current Orono Subdivision Code Language re: Tree Preservation <br />F - Brief Review/Outline of DRAFT Ordinance & Policy <br />F - DRAFT Orono Tree Preserv ation Ordinance For Discussion <br />G - DRAFT Orono Tree Preservation and Replacement Policy Document For DiSCVISSioll <br />The Planning and Park Commissions have reviewed a number of other cities' tree preservation <br />ordinances, including those of Shorewood, Minnetonka, and Maple Grove in some detail. While <br />there are some elements common to each of these ordinances, you have recognized that Orono has <br />unique characteristics and goals that make it difficult to adopt another city s ordinance without <br />significant revisions. <br />At prior work sessions staff has attempted to gain insight as to what you believe Orono’s ^e <br />preservation goals and guidelines should be. What w'e have absorbed so far includes the following. <br />Tree ordinance is needed primarily to preserv'C existing wooded areas of widely <br />v'arying acreages (and perhaps individual 'significant' trees or stands of trees). Rural <br />character preservation is of utmost importance. This may require creative methods <br />such as road corridor buffer strip easements, housing clustering, purchase of certain <br />tracts, etc. <br />While there is concern about limiting tree removal on large wooded sites which aren t <br />developing, the value of the laiid is normally enhanced by existing woodlands and <br />therefore their removal is unlikely. It may be difficult to monitor tree removals prior <br />to development of a site. <br />Unlike urbanized cities. % • -* are concerned mainly about preserving woodlands and <br />trees that mostly occur on privately owned properties, not just those within street <br />boulevaris. <br />Reforestation of historically cleared areas is also important. Many areas of Orono, <br />including both residential and commercial property, are currently open fields with few