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Joint Park&Recreation/Planning Commission Meeting Page 3 <br /> July 12,2000 <br /> Commissioner Huberty stated that she was told by a developer that tree <br /> • requirements are not checked by the City. Ms. McPherson stated that the City <br /> requires a performance bond to insure that conditions are met, including trees <br /> and other landscaping. Staff is following up on ensuring plat conditions are met. <br /> Commissioner Reitsma asked who would initiate a tree preservation ordinance. <br /> Ms. McPherson stated that staff will initiate the ordinance for review by the <br /> Planning Commission. She noted that the Planning Commission has a number of <br /> issues they will be dealing with including the Comprehensive Plan and the cluster <br /> ordinance. <br /> Commissioner Dave Anderson suggested that a steering committee be formed <br /> for reviewing the tree preservation ordinance. He felt the County Forester,Tim <br /> Edgeton, should be included in the committee as well as representation from the <br /> Planning Commission, Park & Recreation Commission, City Council, and the <br /> development and property owner community. <br /> Commissioner Louise Kuester noted that the Planning Commission previously sent <br /> a tree preservation ordinance to the City Council for approval and it was thrown <br /> out. <br /> Chair Mesich felt the issue is very complex. He stated he has concerns regarding <br /> regulation of tree cutting by individual property owners, such as cutting trees to <br /> build a pole barn on a single lot. <br /> Commissioner Schuster stated that he felt each development site is different, and <br /> that trees cannot be saved everywhere. He felt that in some cases, such as for <br /> commercial development, it may be more appropriate to replace trees by <br /> planting them in another area of the city. <br /> Ms. McPherson stated that there are no standards or replacement program in <br /> place. Currently, the only control the City has is through the platting process. <br /> COMMISSIONER BAKER MOVED TO RECOMMEND THAT THE CITY COUNCIL <br /> ESTABLISH A TASK FORCE FOR A TREE PRESERVATION PLAN. IT IS FURTHER <br /> RECOMMENDED THAT THE TASK FORCE INCLUDE THE COUNTY FORESTER AND <br /> REPRESENTATION FROM THE PLANNING COMMISSION, PARK AND RECREATION <br /> COMMISSION, CITY COUNCIL,AND DEVELOPER AND INDIVIDUAL PROPERTY OWNER <br /> COMMUNITY. COMMISSIONER REITSMA SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION <br /> CARRIED 13-0. <br /> 4. Adjournment <br /> There being no further business, Chair Kuester adjourned the meeting. <br /> The joint meeting of the Elk River Park & Recreation Commission and Planning <br /> Commission adjourned at 9:20 p.m. <br /> Respectfully submitted, <br /> Debbie Huebner <br /> Recording Secretary <br />