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Mounds View Planning Commission March 7, 2007 <br />Regular Meeting Page 9 <br />________________________________________________________________________ <br /> <br />Planning Associate Heller acknowledged enforcement would be hard. She stated often times if <br />someone is cutting down trees, staff hears about it from the neighbors. She stated the City did <br />not have the staff to keep track of whenever a tree is removed or the knowledge of how many <br />trees there are in the City now. She replied that secondly, trees damaged due to disease or an act <br />of nature would not have to be replaced. She stated they may have to be removed for safety <br />reasons. <br /> <br />Commissioner Walsh-Kaczmarek remarked she did not want the City Council or Planning <br />Commission to become viewed as an enemy. <br /> <br />Commissioner Meehlhause stated it addresses what happens if a tree is removed. He indicated <br />the homeowner needs to have control of their property. <br /> <br />Commissioner Walsh-Kaczmarek stated getting the word out will be a challenge and did not <br />want to create a back log. She said she could see this directed more towards new development, <br />but would have to look at it more concerning existing homeowners. <br /> <br />Commissioner Cramblit responded that any new development should have a tree survey <br />indicating the species of trees. He stated the developer must replace a percentage of each species <br />removed. He agreed that it would be nearly impossible to police the existing trees. <br /> <br />Commissioner Gunn asked if it says trees removed must be replaced one for one. <br /> <br />Planning Associate Heller replied it would depend on the size of the tree and the number of trees <br />removed. <br /> <br />Commissioner Gunn asked who determines how many trees need to be replaced. <br /> <br />Planning Associate Heller replied the City Forester would evaluate the property and recommend <br />the number of trees. <br /> <br />Commissioner Cramblit stated a stipulation could be added about the size the replacement tree <br />must be. <br /> <br />Commissioner Gunn replied some people could not afford to do this. <br /> <br />Commissioner Cramblit stated if it is a mass development, roots are then removed. <br /> <br />Chair Stevenson stated trees would not necessarily be put back in the same place. <br /> <br />Commissioner Gunn likes the landscaping element. <br /> <br />Commissioner Miller stated there have been provisions for landscaping for developments <br />included in this new ordinance. <br />