Citation in context
April 18, 2016 — Meeting Minutes
Cited passage
Spade stated that he believes that this is the future. Sally Cohn stated that this is a good solution.
20 Mr. Spade stated that this is more flexible.
Hearing no further comments or questions from the audience, Ron Reim made a motion to close the public hearing. The motion was seconded by Mark Winings and unanimously approved by the members.
Chairman Lichtenfeld asked for final comments.
Ron Reim stated that he believes this to be a big step in the right direction that he hopes the Board of Aldermen embrace.
Mark Winings commented that the clearcutting issue throws him off a bit.
Louis Clayton stated that the goal is to keep pre-development tree removal to a minimum.
Chairman Lichtenfeld commended staff and Ms. Harrington for their hard work and thanked Bill, Sally and Ted for their input as well. He stated he hopes this move will help achieve the City’s goals.
Hearing no further questions or comments from the members, Ron Reim made a motion to recommend approval of the regulations to the Board of Aldermen. The motion was seconded by Sherry Eisenberg and unanimously approved by the members.
Susan Istenes thanked Bill as well.
Mark Winings said it would be great if Bill came to the Board of Aldermen meeting.
Mr. Weishar stated he would attend if he gets an invitation; he added that Louis invited him to this evening’s meeting.
PRESENTATION OF THE 2015 PC/ARB ANNUAL REPORT
Susan Istenes referred to the report which was distributed in the members’ packets. She stated that 2015 was not as busy as previous years but it felt like it was. She stated that there were more re- zonings than in years past; fewer CUPs but the same number of new restaurants. She stated that there were 16 new single-family residences in 2015.
Chairman Lichtenfeld commended the clear and concise report. He thanked staff for their hard work during the year.
Susan Istenes thanked the Board for their hard work as well.
Mark Winings asked when the Landscape Regulations will go to the Board of Aldermen.
Louis Clayton stated that between 10 and15 developers attended the workshop. Chairman Lichtenfeld asked if these regulations could reduce the buildable area.
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Louis Clayton replied “no”.
Chairman Lichtenfeld opened the public hearing.
Louis Clayton stated that trees are awarded square footage based on their potential.
Ron Reim asked if the goal is to add/retain canopy trees.
Laurel Harrington stated that small evergreens have been excluded and that ideally, canopy trees are in the back yard; ornamental trees are great for front yards.
Mark Winings asked how they arrived at the minimums.
Louis Clayton asked if the members wanted to see a case study.
The members replied “yes”.
Ms. Harrington presented a slide depicting a case study of a redeveloped lot zoned R-2. She noted that the narrow lots can achieve the required canopy and include one medium or large canopy tree.
Ms. Harrington commented that the plant list is very open.
Chairman Lichtenfeld asked if there is a guideline to shade the house.
Ms. Harrington stated that that is looked at during review of the landscape plan.
Mark Winings asked how this will impact the Forestry Fund and how $0.60/square foot of deficiency was derived.
Louis stated that $0.60 relates to replacement cost.
Ms. Harrington informed the members that people want to plant value on their property versus paying into the Forestry Fund.
Louis Clayton added that staff wants people to meet these standards.
Sherry Eisenberg asked to discuss lots with no trees versus lots with a lot of trees.
Louis Clayton stated that meeting the requirements is achievable in all scenarios. He reminded the members that they [the Plan Commission] can allow up to a 20% reduction of the requirement.
Ron Reim commented that clearcutting is avoided the way the regulations are structured.
He reminded the members that they [the Plan Commission] can allow up to a 20% reduction of the requirement. Ron Reim commented that clearcutting is avoided the way the regulations are structured.
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Louis Clayton stated that’s more an enforcement issue; the demolition plan would be looked at.
Chairman Lichtenfeld stated that Google Earth could potentially help in determining existing trees.
Louis Clayton informed the members that the Planning intern did that before and the margin of error was too high; a professional is needed to obtain accurate information.
Ron Reim commented that Google Earth is updated at a higher frequency now.
Mark Winings asked if the regulations apply even if trees are not being removed.
Louis Clayton replied “yes”.
Bill Weishar with Baxter Gardens was in the audience. He stated that these proposed regulations eliminate an overabundance of plants because people do not want pay into the Forestry Fund. He stated that this makes a level playing field. He stated that his only concern with the regulations is if the goal is to achieve more diverse plantings, be sure to encourage more native plants so there is enough to choose from. He asked that they also be allowed to pull trees/plants from 5-6 different states.
Louis Clayton stated that that comment has been heard before and language can be added or the Plan Commission can waive or reduce the requirement.
Sally Cohn voiced her concern about someone applying for a project only to have removed the lot of trees 6 months earlier. She added that if the stump is removed, evidence of a tree can’t be seen and maybe Google Earth could help.
Ms. Harrington stated that it would be of no benefit if the tree was dead or in poor condition. She asked staff if calls to City staff are made when trees are being removed.
Susan Istenes replied “yes”.
Louis Clayton stated that after final inspection, no follow-up tree inspections are conducted and often, new people own the property.
Mr. Weishar informed the members that very few trees are removed after one year. He emphasized that people would rather overplant their lot than pay into the fund.
Mr. Spade stated that he believes that this is the future.
Sally Cohn stated that this is a good solution.
Susan Istenes thanked the Board for their hard work as well. Mark Winings asked when the Landscape Regulations will go to the Board of Aldermen.
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Susan Istenes stated that she didn’t know at this time; a public hearing notice has to be published in the newspaper.
Ron Reim asked about the Apogee project.
Louis Clayton stated it will be on the next agenda.
Being no further question or comments, this meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m.
________________________________ Recording Secretary