Development News for Lino Lakes, Minnesota

City Environmental Board Reviews Tree Preservation Ordinance Updates

The Environmental Board discussed proposed updates to the city's landscaping and tree preservation ordinance. The proposed changes aim to improve clarity, consistency, and effectiveness for staff, applicants, and developers. Key changes include simplifying calculations, updating definitions (e.g., tree types, significant vs. specimen trees, environmentally sensitive areas), and shifting from tree count to caliper inches for removal and replacement standards. The proposal removes the 'basic use area' concept and replaces it with a percentage-based removal system. Incentives for preserving significant tree stands and specimen trees are also proposed, along with a two-year warranty for replacement trees. The board provided feedback and the proposed amendments will move to the Planning and Zoning Commission.