HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 05 - Tree PreservationCity of Lakeville
Planning Department
Planning Commission
Tina Goodroad, Community Development Director
July 31, 2025
Packet Material for the August 7, 2025 Planning Commission Meeting
Zoning Text Amendment Related to Tree Preservation
At the July 17, 2025 Planning Commission meeting the review of the tree preservation ordinance
was tabled to provide additional review of the types of development the ordinance will apply.
Over the past several months City Forestry and Community Development staff have been
evaluating our Tree Preservation Ordinance (Title 11, Chapter 21, Section 11) to consider
amendments that would result in potential protection of valuable or significant trees. Staff have
shared a summary of objectives, threshold limits and reforestation requirements with the City
Council (two work sessions) and the Planning Commission and Parks, Recreation & Natural
Resources Committee (joint work session). Staff have received support to proceed with an
ordinance.
Section 10-3-2 and 10-4-7 of the Subdivision Ordinance is amended to require a tree
preservation plan as required by section 11-21-11 of the Zoning Ordinance. This amendment
moves the requirements of tree preservation and reforestation to the Zoning Ordinance versus
the Subdivision Ordinance.
Section 11-2-3 Definitions: This amendment is specifically related to adding tree preservation
related definitions to the zoning ordinance definition section.
Section 11-21-9.B Landscaping: The amendment clarifies landscaping requirements for
residential, commercial and institutional uses that are defined in development contracts and
should also be stipulated in the ordinance.
Section 11-21-21: Fencing/Screening/Landscaping-Tree Preservation: This amendment includes
the entirety of the tree preservation requirements starting with a clear purpose for this section.
Section 11-21-11: item B relates to scope and the types of development that will require a tree
preservation plan. Item 4 of this section has been amended to apply only to lots equal to or larger
than one acre in size not including easements or right of way. We also made the requirements for
preparing the tree preservation plan more flexible. In addition, Section 11-21-11: G; tree
replacement requirements item F has been added to provide replacement requirements for a
rebuild or addition on a lot equal to or larger than one acre. This section requires for each
heritage tree removed to be related at a rate of two replacement trees for every one heritage tree
removed versus a per inch replacement. This will result in a more reasonable replacement
requirement on existing development properties.
Item C specifies incentives which help off-set replacement requirements.
Item E specifies all the requirements for preparing and submitting a tree preservation plan.
Item F includes the allowed tree removal thresholds. Residential is set at 40% (of the total
diameter inches) while mixed use, commercial, industrial and special districts are set at 70%.
Item G includes tree replacement requirements which would apply if tree removal exceeded the
threshold. Replacement requirements are based on tree type with standards for replacement tree
sizes. Again, item F has been added to create more reasonable replacement standards for heritage
tree removal on existing lots one acre or larger.
Items H-J -spells out required protective measures.
Forestry staff will be at the meeting and can address any specific questions.
Action
City staff recommends approval of the proposed amendments as presented.
Attachment
Ordinance Amendment