The city of Chanhassen is exploring a new ordinance to guard against the excessive removal of mature trees.
According to Patrick Gavin, the city’s communications manager, Chanhassen has an existing tree preservation policy, but there’s a desire to strengthen the rules. A proposed Heritage Tree Ordinance has been making its way through the city review process and may eventually be considered by the City Council.
The public can weigh in on the idea at a 6 p.m. public hearing as part of the Nov. 3 Planning Commission meeting held in the City Council Chambers. Members of the public can also submit feedback by emailing publiccomments@chanhassenmn.gov.
The proposed ordinance helps to clarify the definitions of “Heritage Trees” and “Significant Trees.” It also modifies tree survey requirements and adjusts preservation and replacement requirements during subdivision or development projects.
“The City of Chanhassen has steadily evolved its tree preservation policies — from general canopy cover protections to a proposed Heritage Tree Ordinance now under review — that would safeguard large, mature trees during subdivision development,” Gavin said.
If the ordinance is adopted, Gavin said developers of new subdivisions would be required to submit a tree survey to the city, which would identify heritage trees and significant trees on the building site. The survey — also identifying the health of each tree — is required to be prepared by a registered landscape architect, licensed foresters, or other professional approved by the city.
The draft ordinance defines “Heritage Trees” as “healthy deciduous trees measuring at least 25 inches in diameter at breast height or any living coniferous tree that measures at least 30 feet in height.”
Significant trees are defined as “healthy trees species measuring five inches or more diameter at breast height or any healthy coniferous tree measuring 12 feet in height or more.”
Under the proposed rules, up to 25% of heritage tree can be removed on subdivision property. But if heritage trees beyond the city’s allowed 25% limit are slated for removal, replacement trees would need to be planted at sizes specified by the city.
In addition, replacement trees must adhere to a list of desirable tree species provided by the city, and no more than 10% of trees planted can be from any one species.
If developers are unable to plant replacement trees due to space limitations, they will be required to pay a fee toward the community tree planting fund. Additionally, the fee for heritage trees will be twice the fee charged for significant trees that are not replaced.
Several nearby communities — including Minnetonka, Eden Prairie and Waconia — have adopted similar Heritage Tree ordinances to protect mature tree inventory.
“Chanhassen’s proposed ordinance does have similarities to neighboring communities,” Gavin noted.
To review the draft Heritage Tree Ordinance, visit the agendas from recent Planning Commission and Environmental Commission meetings. The public can track the progress of the ordinance by visiting a webpage here.
The city is delaying any debate over possible private property regulations concerning mature trees removal to a later date, Gavin added.
