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The Task Force met monthly for the next eight months to discuss the proposed ordinance. <br />The Task Force examined tree preservation ordinances from 12 cities and the one drafted by <br />Ron & Yvonne Halpaus. The Task Force then utilized what they thought were the most <br />appropriate sections and complied them into the proposed ordinance. The City Attorney <br />then reviewed the draft ordinance and suggested changes to the permitting process and <br />general organization of the document. The draft included in the packet includes the City <br />Attorney's revisions. <br /> <br />Issues <br /> <br />Private Property Rights <br /> <br />To what extend does the City want to regulate private forests? Also related to that issue is <br />does the City want to allow for exemptions for existing single family houses and if so to <br />what extent? Should all existing single family houses be exempt including new structures or <br />should it be limited to expansion of existing structures and remodeling? <br /> <br />· Different Restrictions based on ownership <br /> <br />Should a 40 acre private parcel have less restrictions than a 40 acre development parcel? <br />What if the landowner is also a developer? <br /> <br />Staffing Issues <br /> <br />The implementation and enforcement of the proposed ordinance would require additional <br />staff time, possibly additional staff and staff training. The staff person will need a forestry <br />background in order to properly and efficiently review tree inventories, tree preservation <br />plans and tree replacement plans. Staff time will also be spent on inspections, and <br />collecting/tracking/releasing the performance guarantees. <br /> <br />Other Methods of Tree Preservation <br /> <br />Other ways to help protect trees that would not require a detailed tree preservation <br />ordinance would be to evaluate the type of zoning for wooded parcels or to include stronger <br />language in the subdivision ordinance requiring developers to "design with the land". <br /> <br />Tree Ordinance <br /> <br />Tree Ordinance Process <br /> <br />The process of drafting the proposed Tree Ordinance was started in late fall 2001. Staff <br />utilized a CD provided by the Tree Trust that allows the user to draft a tree ordinance. The <br />CD contains over 1,800 examples from other communities across the country. Staff was able <br />to select and edit the examples and compile them into an ordinance that was unique to Elk <br />River. The Planning Commission reviewed the proposed ordinance at two workshops during <br />the Spring and Summer of 2002 and at a formal public hearing in November 2002. The <br /> <br /> <br />