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<br /> STAFF REPORT <br />DATE: 10/15/2025 <br /> Public Hearing <br /> <br />TO: Lake Elmo City Council <br />FROM: Jason Stopa, Community Development Director <br />AGENDA ITEM: Tree Fund Zoning Text Amendment <br />REVIEWED BY: Ashley Monterusso, City Planner <br /> <br /> <br />CORE STRATEGIES: <br /> <br />☐ Vibrant, inclusive, connected community ☒ Efficient, reliable, innovative services <br />☒ Responsive, transparent, adaptive governance ☐ Balanced Finances now and future <br />☐ Managed Growth ☒ Resilient Infrastructure <br /> <br /> <br />BACKGROUND: <br />The City received a $50,000 payment from Greater Stillwater Schools for tree mitigation when the new <br />elementary school was approved. The current code allows for a fee-in-lieu but doesn’t specify how the <br />funds should be spent. Using the funds to replace trees was discussed during the approval process. The <br />City does not have a tree fund separate from park dedication funds. The City does not have a right <br />-of-way (ROW) boulevard tree replacement program. <br /> <br />105.12.470 Tree Preservation(f)(2). The City Council may require payment to the City of a fee-in-lieu of <br />tree replacement, payment of additional park dedication fees; the implementation of woodland <br />management practices by the applicant; or the planting of replacement trees on City property by the <br />applicant under direction of the City Public Works Director; or a combination of these methods as a <br />condition of the City approving relief or an exception from the City tree preservation and replacement <br />standards. The amount of the fee-in-lieu of tree replacement is set forth in the City's fee schedule. <br /> <br />This item was presented at the June 2025 workshop and was well received by the Council. <br /> <br />ISSUE BEFORE the PLANNING COMMISSION: <br />Should the City of Lake Elmo consider a zoning text amendment to create a Tree Fund? <br /> <br />PROPOSAL DETAILS/ANALYSIS: <br />The City could amend chapter 105.12.470 Tree Preservation and add section (g) Tree Fund. <br /> <br />Proposed Language: <br /> <br />g) Tree Fund. <br /> <br />(1) Purpose. The purpose is to provide a dedicated fund for tree replacement throughout the <br />city.