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<br />Joint Park & Recreation/Planning Commission Meeting <br />July 12, 2000 <br /> <br />Page 3 <br /> <br />. <br /> <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 /> <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 /> <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 /> <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 /> <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 /> <br />. <br /> <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 /> <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 /> <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 /> <br />4. Adiournment <br /> <br />There being no further business, Chair Kuester adjourned the meeting. <br /> <br />The joint meeting of the Elk River Park & Recreation Commission and Planning <br />Commission adjourned at 9:20 p.m. <br /> <br />Respectfully submitted, <br /> <br />Debbie Huebner <br />. Recording Secretary <br />