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CITY OF LAKEVILLE
PLANNING COMMISSION &
PARKS, RECREATION, AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE
JOINT WORK SESSION MINUTES
February 6, 2025
PRNRC Chair Holly Weberg called the work session to order at 7:15 pm.
Planning Commissioners Present: Vice Chair Christine Zimmer, Scott Einck, Pat Kaluza, Jason
Swenson, Alternate Mark Traffas
Members Absent: Chair Jenna Majorowicz, Amanda Tinsley, Patty Zuzek
Parks, Recreation, and Natural Resources Committee Members Present: Chair Holly Weberg,
Vice Chair Steven Henneberry, Lindsay Haneman, Monica Joubert, Erin Young
Members Absent: Shahid Nadeem, Daniel Volkosh
Staff Present: Community Development Director Tina Goodroad, Parks & Recreation Director Joe
Masiarchin, Planning Manager Kris Jenson, Environmental Resources Manager Mac Cafferty,
Senior Planner Heather Botten, City Forester Zach Jorgenson, Forestry Technician Grace Benson,
Senior Administrative Assistant Stella Eskelson
Tree Preservation Ordinance Amendment Discussion
=e two committees came together to review a proposed Tree Preservation Ordinance. Forestry
Staff presented the dra> ordinance and provided a brief overview of tree preservation ordinance
from other metro area cities. In speaking with the City Council, commission, community members
and staff, it has been determined that improvements/adjustments to the current ordinance would
be appropriate.
Staff explained the current ordinance provides less guidance and can be interpreted as being
developer driven. Changes to the ordinance would provide more clarification and stricter standards
as to what acceptable tree preservation is. =e committees were in agreeance that the ordinance
should be reviewed. Forestry presented the ordinance line by line for comments/recommendations.
=is included:
· Scope of Application
· Removal =reshold
· Removal Calculations
· Tree Replacement Requirements
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Discussion:
Is the proposed ordinance outside of what other communities’ standards are?
No, staff looked at a number of ordinances and developed an ordinance that is similar to what was
reviewed. Most communities have some type of replacement requirements. Staff shared some
insight into what they saw as common themes in other ordinances including native species
requirements, providing education on species diversity.
What would the impact be to cost increases for developers and buyers?
Staff will be reaching out to developers for their feedback on the dra> ordinance, this is
undetermined at this time but staff reiterated that most other cities have a tree preservation
ordinance.
What is the scope of application?
Staff preference is that it would be city wide and applied primarily to new development. Monitoring
private removal of trees isn’t feasible for staff as it would require significant monitoring and is of
lesser concern at this time. Committee members was in support of offering cash in lieu of
replacement of contributing trees/shrubs being provided in other locations as a means to satisfy
the required tree replacement. Staff also clarified that property that is designated for stormwater,
utilizes, streets and/or other easements would not be held to the tree replacement ordinance.
When would the ordinance changes be implemented?
=is is in very early discussions, the ordinance would be shared with developers, City Council and
staff for input. It would be implemented once finalized, more details to come.
Next Steps:
A final dra> will be prepared based on committee feedback and staff will gather feedback from
developers as well. =at dra> would then come back to City Council and both committees for
review and approval.
Adjourn Work Session 8:26 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Stella Eskelson, Senior Administrative Assistant