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Tschida Zoning Amendment Page 2 for expected growth around urbanized areas. Hugo has zoning and subdivision provisions outlined in the City Code that restricts properties zoned Long Term Agricultural to agricultural use and require low residential densities at one dwelling unit per 40 acres. In 2003, Ed Tschida was approved for a zoning amendment from the Agricultural Zoning District to the Long Term Agricultural Zoning District in order to enter into the Minnesota Agricultural Land Preservation Program. Since gaining ownership of his property, Tschida has planted thousands of trees and has created a forest of mostly White Pine, Norway Pine, White Spruce, Oak, Birch, and Aspen trees. The forest combined with the existing wetland on site has created a natural habitat for many species of wildlife. Tschida would like to continue preserving his property by entering into the Minnesota Land Trust Metro Habitat Protection Program. By entering into this program, the property will be under a conservation easement that will limit development on the property. In order to apply to the program offered by Washington County, the property may not be currently enrolled in a permanent protection program, which includes the Minnesota Agricultural Land Preservation Program. Additionally, in order to be removed from the Agricultural Land Preservation Program, the local zoning authority, which is the City of Hugo in this case, needs to approve the zoning amendment from the Long Term Agricultural Zoning District to the Agricultural Zoning District and sign off on the request submitted by the landowner for termination of the current agricultural preserve program. Ed Tschida would like to rezone his property from the Long Term Agricultural Zoning District to the Agricultural Zoning District in order to be eligible to apply to the Land Trust Metro Habitat Protection Program. 3. LEVEL OF DISCRETION IN DECISION MAKING: The City has discretion in approving or denying rezoning applications, based on whether or not the proposal meets the standards outlined in the Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Ordinance requirements. If the City finds that all the applicable standards are met, the rezoning application must be approved. However, if the City finds that any of the applicable standards are not met, the application may be denied. 4. CONTEXT: A. Surrounding Land Use and Zoning The subject property is zoned Long Term Agriculture (LA) and the land use is identified as Agricultural. The property to the east is also zoned LA and the properties to the north, west, and south are zoned Agricultural (AG). All surrounding properties are identified as Agricultural in the 2040 Land Use Plan. B. Natural Characteristics of Site The 79.52 acre site has a single family home and one accessory structure located on it. The rest of the property is a mix of wetland and natural vegetation. Tschida has stated that he has planted 4,000 to 5,000 trees over the course of 15 years to include White Pine, Norway Pine, White Spruce, Oak, Birch, and Aspen trees.