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Environmental Board <br /> November 29,2023 <br /> Page 2 <br /> Mr. Nelson, Environmental Coordinator,presented the staff report. <br /> Section 1007.043 (17) of the Zoning Ordinance contains the requirements for the <br /> screening, landscaping,buffer yards, and tree preservation. A redline draft of the <br /> Landscape Ordinance has been provided at the meeting. <br /> The Board spoke about the proposed changes to the Landscape Ordinance. <br /> Ms. Holmes asked who the Landscape Ordinance is specifically for. Mr. Schwartz <br /> responded it is for developers. Mr. Nelson confirmed. <br /> Mr. Schwartz asked if the tree protection zone is the bright orange fence that goes around <br /> the tree. Mr. Nelson confirmed yes,but there are other acceptable materials that could be <br /> used for that. <br /> Ms. Holmes asked if any of the changes to the canopy cover values would have affected <br /> the outcome of tree preservation at the Kwik Trip site. Mr. Nelson responded that the <br /> changes would not have affected the outcome at that project, as the tree protection zone <br /> dimensions will be the same, and any trees that didn't have proper tree protection zones <br /> at Kwik Trip were removed and mitigated for with a requirement for additional new <br /> trees. <br /> Mr. Schwartz asked how a developer could still get credit for a tree that is less than 7' of <br /> vehicular hardscape edge. Mr. Nelson responded that the developer would still have to <br /> meet the tree protection dimension that depends upon the diameter of the tree. <br /> Mr. Schwartz suggested clarifying the canopy cover table to reflect actual tree diameters <br /> that can be saved in each category to avoid confusion. Mr. Nelson responded that he <br /> would make that change for the next draft of the ordinance review. <br /> Chair Sullivan asked if there is an Ordinance on what types of sod or seed mixture <br /> should be approved by the City. Mr. Nelson responded that specific cover types could be <br /> a recommendation from the Board case-by-case on any project, but not necessarily <br /> making alternative turf grass types mandatory in the Ordinance. <br /> Ms. Buchmeier asked why the tree mitigation rates are different depending on whether <br /> the tree is within Conservation or Enhancement Environmentally Sensitive Areas. Mr. <br /> Nelson responded that the rates are different because these areas are categorized mainly <br /> by the quality of the water features in them, such as higher value wetlands or lake <br /> Shoreland Districts. He added that he would provide a more thorough answer to this <br /> question at the next landscape ordinance review. <br /> DRAFT MINUTES <br />