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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-09-18 - Council Minutes CITY OF CORCORAN CITY COUNCIL & PARKS AND TRAILS COMMISSION PUBLIC MEETING – WOODLAND PRESERVATION September 18, 2007 Mayor Guenthner convened the pubic meeting of the Corcoran City Council and the Parks and Trails Commission on September 18, 2007, at 7:00 p.m. at the city Meeting Opened hall in Corcoran, Minnesota. Present were Mayor Guenthner, Councilor Hudok, Councilor Jacobs, and Councilor Thomas. Commissioners Robran, Lianne Roll Call Laddusaw, Roz Milbrandt, Tom Anderson, Val Nybo, Kevin Dale, Pat Hank, Glen Monzo, and Trisha Krueger. Also present was Administrator Vergin and Planner Norm Gartner. Councilor Grabowski was absent. Mayor Guenther provided an overview to those present as to the purpose of the Overview / Purpose of meeting. Explained the history of what has occurred starting with the Natural Meeting Resource Inventory that was created as part of the 2020 Comprehensive Land Use Plan. The City has looked at tools that allow them to protect natural resources, such as the Open Space Preservation Plat, which requires the dedication and preservation of open space, in turn for additional building entitlements. Over the past few years the City has reviewed various sample ordinances and did create a draft ordinance to protect woodlands, however nothing has been finalized. There are strong opinions on both sides. Some prefer no regulations and some want regulations to preserve the woodlands. Mayor Guenthner informed the group that he would operate the meeting in an open floor setting, and he would act as the moderator. He encouraged participation through questions, opinions, viewpoints, and experience. Public Comments / Herman Kashmarek – questioned what “natural state” refers to. Opposed to Discussion promoting or extending woodlands. Laws infringe on rights and incentives will cost money. Opposed to taking property off of the tax roles. Should be able to cut down trees on their own properties. David Bakke – Has planted over 1500 trees. There are county parks with natural trees. There are State and Federal regulations, shouldn’t have to impose local ordinances on private property. Lee Selisky – Has developed 16 acres into prairie grass, which is in his self-interest to preserve. Feels that it is inappropriate for the City to take peoples property. George Gmach – Most people will preserve what they have. Woods are an asset; people like to build next to them. Where natural resources have been identified are typically in areas that will not be developed, due to other controls such as setbacks and buffer zones. There are opportunities to replant when development occurs, which allows the city to be more selective on what is planted. Would discourage an elaborate ordinance, and encourage an incentive-based ordinance, such as providing development rights. Dennis Stieg – Has 40 acres of forest that was planted over 300 years ago, which he does selective cutting in. The City of Corcoran is down to 1% of the big woods that had previously existed. There are ordinances that protect other natural resources and there are restrictions on other types of land uses. Would encourage an incentive type approach. People need to be more open minded, look at the broader picture. There are opportunities to do the right thing. Rob Kastonek – Agrees with what people are saying. Questioned if it is more for developers or for the private individuals. There are buffer zones that protect wetlands. Where do we start, where do we stop. See’s both sides. Page -1- CITY OF CORCORAN CITY COUNCIL & PARKS AND TRAILS COMMISSION PUBLIC MEETING – WOODLAND PRESERVATION September 18, 2007 Mayor Guenthner stated that there are some ordinances out there that are way over the top. Both the Council and the Parks & Trails Commission have agreed that it needs to be a carrot, not a stick approach. Understand that people don’t want regulations. If the city does anything it needs to benefit the property owner to encourage them to do this. City is not going to say which trees you can or cannot cut down. Most of the City was deforested by 1865. The existing vegetation is not natural; most of this has been replaced since the 1930’s. What is the cost of incentives, the City imposing a tax to buy properties has not been talked about, but the City does have the right to control through building rights, such as the open space preservation plat, this is an incentive that does not cost the taxpayers. George Gmach – If incentives tied to development rights, then there needs to be assurances that what property owners are doing counts. Provide opportunities to those that may want to hold on to their properties for some time. Mayor Guenthner noted that most of the ordinance samples they have react to development, they don’t appear to talk to restrictions of preventing people from cutting their trees. Some included exemptions based on size of areas. The City wants to do this in a positive fashion. Wetland regulations are much more complex through State and Federal regulations, for which the city can have some discretion. Herman Kashmarek – It is nice to see that the City wants the incentive approach. What about prairie grass, will the city try to take control of that. Is the City going to protect his investment? Commissioner Anderson stated that they don’t want it to be more complicated, they want it to be straightforward. Comments were made regarding the parks and trails map. Commission Chair Robran responded that it is just a plan that evolves as development occurs. It is a guide to be pro-active. The Parks & Trails Commission is in favor of incentives. If a developer comes in and they have something the City wants, then we need to give something back to the developer or landowner. Mayor Guenthner expounded, stating that discussions of trails and parks takes place when the development occurs through negotiations. The City is not in the position to approach homeowners and force trails through their properties, and the City is not going to raise taxes to condemn land to build trails. Mayor Guenther informed the group that the Comprehensive Plan was done to prevent development like Maple Grove from occurring in Corcoran. It the plan is implemented correctly Corcoran will never look like Maple Grove. Councilor Thomas stated that there are controls in place to prevent high-density development. That he would never vote for the taking of some ones property. Wants to provide incentives. Help property owners on what they can do with their property. Dennis Covington – Indicated that some areas have criminal offenses for cutting various types of trees. Suggested that rather then an ordinance, that the City be a resource for people. Provide policies and development rights; utilize a forester that can be a resource to people. Dennis Stieg – suggested that City provide a tree give away with instructions on how to plant and care for the trees. Commissioner Milbrandt questioned if the City would be allowed to give Page -2- CITY OF CORCORAN CITY COUNCIL & PARKS AND TRAILS COMMISSION PUBLIC MEETING – WOODLAND PRESERVATION September 18, 2007 incentives to developers without an ordinance, or would they be able to do it with a policy? Commissioner Hank stated that he is not in favor of an ordinance. Money would be better spent by working with local nurseries to provide tree give ways. Current ordinance requires that you show where trees are on the property when you are developing. Pete Dahlheimer – expressed concern that his land has been devalued, that he is only allowed to have one additional building entitlement on his 40 acres. His property has been devalued, while his adjacent neighbors’ property values have been inflated. Meeting Closed Mayor Guenthner closed the public meeting at 8:12 p.m. ______________________________ Susan Vergin, City Administrator Page -3-