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ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD MEETING JULY 26, 2000 <br />Chair Lanyon asked if they are resistant because they do not like the appearance or <br />because they don't know what to do. Asleson stated it is that as well as the cultural image <br />of approaching a business and how that should appear. <br />Donlin stated some business owners may have the impression that natural and prairie <br />plantings are too "wild" and not conservative enough. <br />Davidson concurred and noted that natural and prairie plantings can be groomed to have a <br />more typical business appearance. <br />Chair Lanyon agreed that nine out of ten business properties have conventional <br />landscaping and asked how close Lino Lakes is to develop a standardized response to <br />landscaping in business areas. He suggested a list of natural plantings be developed by <br />the City so the business community understands what is being requested. <br />Asleson agreed with the need to identify in the landscape ordinance'what the City wants <br />to see in the business community. <br />Chair Lanyon suggested the City be more specific about planting type requirements and <br />specific guidelines so that information can be'presented to a landscaper and assure it is <br />implemented. <br />Asleson stated the other issue that needs to be addressed is surface water, drainage, flows, <br />and ponding. He explained the business wants something that looks nice and ties <br />together. <br />Trehus noted whatever is required in the future needs to blend with the existing landscape <br />conditions. <br />Chair Lanyon agreed with the need for consistence today in setting a standard in the hope <br />that the past landscaping will come along. <br />Asleson stated he will talk again with the landscaper to see if a policy can be drafted for <br />development and business landscape designs with the ecological resources being taken <br />into consideration as well. <br />Wessel stated the resistance to this new approach is probably universal whether <br />commercial or residential, and that is not to be unexpected He suggested there could be <br />more education and a need to better present the vision of the City. He stated the <br />landscape ordinance is one of a series of ordinances being prepared in concert with the <br />Comprehensive Plan, which is not yet adopted. Wessel stated the issue is now under <br />voluntary compliance since it is not yet an adopted ordinance. However, the issue is with <br />implementation. Wessel stated there is one project where the company became so <br />discouraged with the weedy environment, that they responded by plowing it under and <br />3 <br />