07-14-1997 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON JULY 14,1997 ( #3 - Tree Preservation Ordinance Update - Continued) is Flint said it was his recollection that the ordinance came from a work session that took place prior to the golf club application. The citizen survey was the first step which identified the preference for preservation of open space. One issue was open space identification and purchasing of open space. With limited funding, Flint said it was suggested that a tree ordinance would result in preservation. The Park and Planning Commissions were asked to review the matter. Flint indicated the ordinance draft written by the Park Commission is not refined, He questioned whether the ordinance would involve subdivision applications or all building permits. He does not feel the suggestion was made that all applications need to come to Council if they involve cutting down a tree, but rather if something triggers the need for tree preservation within the applications reviewed. He cited an example noting work on the ordinance needs to continue. Flint thought the Council should look at policy decisions and whether there should be tree control. If so, he questioned whether it should include both subdivisions and any other permits. Jabbour questioned whether an ordinance selective to subdivisions can be passed. Barrett said it can be done. Jabbour indicated that the issue came about because of the Spring Hill Golf Club application and noted similar problems in the City of Minnetonka resulting in their tree • ordinance. Peterson asked if such an ordinance forces the Council to become dictatorial. Goetten responded that alot of cities have had problems with this issue. Peterson suggested the tree preservation could be incorporated into a subdivision resolution. Goetten said the problem is that all applications are not subdivisions and would not fall under that category. Kelley said he felt there was a need for a policy, citing the lack of trees on the Dickey property, but said he was more in favor of connecting it to a subdivision. Goetten indicated that lot coverage requirement is not as important in 2 acre zoning as in larger parcels. Kelley agreed that he would like to have been able to see a planting schedule for the Dickey property. Goetten said she would hope the policy would include land development as well as subdivisions. Kelley questioned what would occur with farming. Goetten responded that she felt with the price of land, it would probably not occur. Kelley said he would not want to restrict a person from plowing 5 acres if they have 10 acres. Jabbour said this responds to an important point of reforestation, not only preservation. Peterson said both reforestation and preservation should be included. Goetten agreed that this was the reason for reviewing such an ordinance. Kelley felt the issue was between subdivision and individual properties. • 10