HomeMy WebLinkAboutBen Johnson - Public Comment 10.9.24 104 O Ltlook
Fw:Benjam in Johnson: 10-16-24 PC Meeting Comm efts
FromSophiaJensen <sjensen@lakeelmo.org>
Date Wed 10/9/2024 9:43 AM
To A shley Monterusso <AMonterusso@la keel mo.gov>; Diane Wendt <DWendt@la keel mo.gov>
Cc N athan Fuerst <nathan.fuerst@bolton-menk.com>
Ashley or Diane,
Can one of you save this com m Ent to the S Drive and upload it under the public corn m ant folder for
the meeting?
Thanks!
Sophia Jensen
City Planner
3880 Laverne Ave N I Lake Elm o M N 55042
651-747-3911 1 www.lakeelm agov
From:Ben Johnson <benjohnson.business@ gm al.com >
Sent: Wednesday, October 9, 2024 9:40:17 AM
To: Sophia Jensen <sjensen@ lakeelm aorg>
Subject: Benjam n Johnson: 10-16-24 PC M eeting Com m ots
You don't often get email from benjohnson.business@gm ail.com.Learn why this is im rpo tant
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Hi Sophia,
I wanted to provide som ewritten com m sits as outlined in the notice we received from the city about
the upcoming Planning Com m ssion meeting to be held on 10-16-2024.
While I find the plans laid out in the new CUP packet an im provem ent in most areas, I think there has
been a significant step backward in terms of tree preservation as well as replanting.
I strongly believe that the fact that m any of the trees were planted by the previous owner, should N Or
be a consideration for an Exception from the Tree M itigation Standards. Trees are trees, and we need
to do everything in our power to protect the m ature trees we have.
Removing a staggering 73% (21,392/29,296) of the total tree-inches on that property does not
seem remotely in-line with the purpose of the Tree M itigation Standards under LEC 105.12.460 (f).
I think we need to be very careful as a com m unity when allowing an exception like the one proposed
and what precedent it could set for our m ature trees to com e as developm ent continues in Lake Elm a
The original plat/landscaping m ap provided at the previous city council m eeting showed 5 rows of
screening trees between the parking lot and 10th street. The reduction down to 2 rows, as shown in
the new landscaping map, is woefully inadequate. Especially considering the size and layout depicted
in the new design, which shows the size of the trees at m aturity not what they will be in the 5-10 years
to com e
If the proposal m oves forward with the existing tree rem oval plan, I think m uch m ore attention needs
to be given to screening along 10th street, and what the removal of the existing mature (20-30 year
old) trees will do to that very natural corridor.
Sincerely,
Benjam in Johnson
10841 10TH ST N
Lake Elm a MN 55042