City Council Meeting Date: November 10, 2020
To: Mayor and City Council
City Administrator
From: Tim Behrendt, Street and Park Manager
Mikayla Schmidt, City Planner
Title
Consider Resolution Updating the City of Northfield Acceptable Tree & Shrub List.
Body
Action Requested:
The Northfield City Council considers the attached resolution approving the acceptable tree and shrub list.
Summary Report:
At the June 17, 2020 Environmental Quality Commission (EQC) meeting, the EQC received a presentation on the acceptable tree list. Multiple tree lists have now been consolidated into one list to improve administration of allowable trees. After some discussion, they asked staff to make some additional modifications to the list to include a review process and bring that back to EQC for motion of approval at their July 15, 2020 meeting. The City Forester has updated the list, reviewed the list with the EQC, and Nancy Braker, Director of the Cowling Arboretum, Senior Biology Lecturer of Carleton College. The EQC approved those changes at the July 15 meeting.
The Planning Commission (PC) met on July 16, 2020 and recommended approval of the list after discussion. The PC discussed how this list affects the community, climate, and offers a consolidated reference for staff to share with residents and developers.
Concerns were raised at the PC meeting about whether a tree or shrub was considered “native” or “non-native”. To address those concerns, staff clarified possible discrepancies with Nancy Braker. The list has been updated to clarify any discrepancies. Another area of concern was the planting of shrubs on boulevards. City staff prefers not to allow shrubs to be planted on boulevards due to interfering with maintenance operations, snow storage, and sight lines for pedestrians, bicyclists or motorists for safety. Managing the profile of plantings in close proximity to corners and driveways is especially important to ensure clear view of all users of the transportation system. The list that was approved by PC and EQC did not allow for shrubs to be planted in the boulevard.
If Council wishes to include private plantings in the boulevards, it may be necessary to develop a policy that ensures plant types and profiles meet safety and maintenance criteria as well as species. The adjacent owner should take responsibility for regular maintenance (trimming) to ensure plants do not encroach on sidewalks driveways or street; and need to waive any objection to removal if necessary for maintenance of streets, utilities or sidewalks. In addition, pending the alternative selected by Council, there may be a need to have staff bring forward a different resolution and attached list at a future meeting for final approval.
This list will meet the requirement in the Land Development Code, which states:
3.5.4 General Landscape Material Standards (A) Plants (1) Approved and Prohibited Plant Types.
(a) Plants selected for specific site design purposes shall be those plants as identified and included on the List of Approved Landscape Trees and Plant Materials as approved and amended from time to time by the resolution of the city council on file with the city clerk’s office.
Staff is recommending City Council approve the updated list, Attachment 5, which does not list shrubs being allowed in the boulevard, but allows for shrubs to be planted on private property.
Financial Impacts:
N/A
Alternative Options:
1. Approve the Tree List Only.
2. Approve the Tree List with the Shrubs and language as proposed by Will Schroeer and Nancy Braker (Attachment 3)
3. Approve the Tree List and ask staff to bring the shrub plantings back for consideration at a later date after further evaluation of safety and maintenance considerations.
4. # 3 above, plus - ask staff to prepare a policy or permit for private parties to place shrubs or other plantings in City ROW/ boulevard adjacent to their property.
Tentative Timelines:
N/A