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12-10-2025 EC AgendaA.6:00 P.M. CALL TO ORDER B.APPROVAL OF MINUTES B.1 Approval of November 12, 2025 Environmental Commission Minutes C.VISITOR PRESENTATIONS D.DISCUSSION ITEMS D.1 Heritage Tree Ordinance Update D.2 Solar Panel Presentation D.3 Focus Topic Finalization D.4 Planning Trivia Night D.5 Commissioner Vacancies E.COMMISSION PRESENTATIONS F.UPCOMING ITEMS AND EVENTS G.ADJOURNMENT AGENDA CHANHASSEN ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2025 LAKE SUSAN CONFERENCE ROOM, 7700 MARKET BOULEVARD 1 Environmental Commission Item December 10, 2025 Subject Approval of November 12, 2025 Environmental Commission Minutes Section APPROVAL OF MINUTES Prepared By Amy Weidman, Senior Admin Support Specialist November 12, 2025 Environmental Commission Minutes 2 Chanhassen Environmental Commission (EC) 6:00 pm November 12, 2025 Members Present: Scott Grefe, Leslie Elhadi, Sidney Lindmark, John Stutzman Members Absent: Paget Pengelly, Glenn Stolar, Tanvi Akuthota Staff Present: Jamie Marsh, Environmental Resource Specialist Visitors: None Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 6:03 p.m. Minutes This item was moved to a later section of the agenda. Discussion Items 1. Environmental Trivia Wrap-Up Discussion Chair Grefe thanked Commissioner Stutzman for emceeing the fall trivia night. The venue worked more smoothly on a weeknight. Hackamore donated a golf simulator prize and a merchandise gift card. Lakewinds Food Co-op donated prizes, which were very popular amongst the winners. The question difficulty seemed improved and well-received; simple wording should be the norm when writing questions. The commission will discuss keeping a commissioner as the emcee or finding a new guest host. Jamie Marsh, Environmental Resource Specialist, will include trivia on the next agenda to begin planning the next event in 2026. The Commission discussed possible ways to promote trivia night such as teasers for the topics and the prizes. B.1 Minutes The commissioners reviewed the meeting minutes from the October 8, 2025 meeting. Commissioner Stutzman moved to approve the minutes, and Commissioner Elhadi seconded. The motion carried 4-0. 2. Environmental Academy Wrap-Up Discussion Chair Grefe commented that the partnership with Carver County is going well, and that Dustin from the county has been a helpful and interesting addition keeping the topics fresh and more wide-reaching. The Arboretum and Camp Fire Minnesota were fun events and good partners. 3 The Commission expressed interest in visiting Lake Ann Park Preserve for a future Academy event, whether it be a trail walk or discussing buckthorn removal. The Commission reviewed the 2025 attendance numbers and noted that attendance has grown over time. The Commission discussed ideas for possible future events, including some ideas received in participant feedback. Ideas include waste recycling, natural plantings in right-of-way, water quality, touring DemCon, preservation of big woods, a virtual tour of Eureka Recycling, water resources, climate resilient trees in partnership with the Arboretum, reutilizing leftover food product and plant rescue programs. The Commission agreed that the partnership with Carver County should continue. They also expressed interest in partnering with the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum and Camp Fire MN again for future events. Ms. Marsh said she would meet with Samantha DiMaggio, Economic Development Manager, to discuss local businesses that might have a topic to share their green initiatives. 3. Focus Topic Finalization Ms. Marsh reviewed focus topics that the Environmental Commission has chosen in the past before discussing a new topic for 2026. The Commission discussed ideas including food waste, waste diversion, waste hierarchy, batteries, renewable energy, and data centers. The Commission will revisit and finalize in December. Commission Presentations Commissioner Cripe is no longer a Chanhassen resident and has resigned his seat on the Environmental Commission. The Commission discussed whether the spot would remain open until April, when his seat was due to be renewed, or how it might be filled. The role of Vice Chair needs to be filled. Commissioner Lindmark nominated Commissioner Stutzman to be Vice Chair, Commissioner Elhadi seconded. The motion carried 4-0, with Commissioner Stutzman abstaining. Upcoming Items and Events The pumpkin drop-off is available until Friday. The pumpkins are brought to feed animals in St Francis. The Commission discussed the open house events and the large turnout. Adjournment Commissioner Stutzman moved to adjourn the meeting, Commissioner Lindmark seconded. The commission voted 4-0, and the meeting adjourned at 6:57 p.m. Minutes prepared by Amy Weidman, Senior Administrative Support Specialist Minutes Submitted by Jamie Marsh, Environmental Resource Specialist 4 Environmental Commission Item December 10, 2025 Subject Heritage Tree Ordinance Update Section DISCUSSION ITEMS Prepared By Jamie Marsh, Environmental Resource Specialist On Tuesday, December 2, there was a Public Hearing for the proposed ordinance amendments that would define and regulate Heritage Trees. City staff gave a presentation on the proposed modifications that would be made to Chapter 1 and Chapter 18 of City Code if adopted. The Planning Commission voted in favor of the motion to recommend City Council adoption of the Heritage Tree Ordinance as presented 6-0. For this item, city staff will provide an update on the changes made to the draft ordinance since the original presentation given to City Council at the work session. Heritage Tree Redlined Ordinance 5 CITY OF CHANHASSEN CARVER AND HENNEPIN COUNTIES, MINNESOTA ORDINANCE NO. XXX AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 1 AND CHAPTER 18, CHANHASSEN, GENERAL PROVISIONS AND SUBDIVISION CODE, DEFINING HERITAGE TREES AND ADDING PERFORMANCE STANDARDS RELATED TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF SUBDIVISION APPLICATIONS AND PRESERVATION OF OR REPLACEMENT OF HERITAGE TREES THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHANHASSEN, MINNESOTA ORDAINS: Section 1. Chapter 1, Section 1-2 of the City Code, City of Chanhassen, Minnesota, is hereby amended to include the following: Heritage Tree means any healthy deciduous or coniferous tree measuring at least 25 inches in diameter at breast height (DBH) Significant Tree means any healthy tree species measuring five inches or more DBH; (20) Critical root zone: the minimum area around the tree that must remain undisturbed. This is calculated by measuring the tree’s dbh and for each inch of tree diameter, one foot of root zone radius must be protected. For example, a tree with a dbh of 10, the critical root zone of the tree is 10 feet (10” dbh x 1’ root zone protection equals 10 feet of root zone protection measured from the base of the tree in all directions.. Section 2. Section 18-61(d)(2) of the City Code, City of Chanhassen, Minnesota, is hereby amended as follows: (2) Prior to the submittal of development plans, a tree survey of the site shall be prepared by a registered landscape architect, licensed foresters, or other professional approved by the city. The tree survey shall reflect conditions on site at the time of submittal, or shall have been reviewed and updated no more than two years prior to the submittal date. This survey shall include the species, DBH size, condition identified as poor, fair, or good, location of all trees over five inches in diameter and any damaged or diseased trees on site. All heritage, significant, special, damaged, or diseased trees shall be tagged and identified on the survey. A delineation of the existing canopy coverage area(s), which outline all areas covered by tree canopy, shall be included as part of the survey. 6 Additionally, all damaged and diseased trees shall be cataloged with the nature and extent of any damage or disease specified Section 3. Section 18-61(d)(2)(c) of the City Code, City of Chanhassen, Minnesota, is hereby amended to include the following: c. Priority shall be given to retaining stands of trees and undisturbed wooded lands , as well as heritage trees. No more than ten percent of the canopy retention requirement may be met by an individual tree that is not included within a designated woodland area. Section 4. Section 18-61(d)(2)(f), Section 18-61(d)(2)(g) and Section 18-61(d)(2)(h) of the City Code, City of Chanhassen, Minnesota, is hereby amended as follows: f. In addition to minimum canopy coverage, if a subdivision proposes to remove heritage trees, the applicant will be subject to additional replacement requirements. A removal allowance of up to 25% of heritage tree diameter inches will be given. Heritage trees removed from the site in excess of the 25% allowance shall be required to be replaced at a rate of 1 inch of replacement for every 1 inch of heritage trees proposed to be removed These replacement plantings are in addition to and do not count towards plantings associated with adherence to canopy coverage requirements. If an applicant can establish to the sole satisfaction of the city that their site has been designed such that one or more Heritage Trees are preserved that otherwise would have been removed, the amount of diameter inches can be subtracted from the replacement requirements set forth in part f. The diameter inches subtracted from the replacements required shall not exceed 25% of the replacement trees. g. Heritage Trees and Significant Trees shall be considered removed, killed, or lost if: 1. Shown to be removed on the tree removal plan. 2. 30% or more of the trees critical root zone is damaged by construction activity including but not limited to compaction, cutting, filling or grade change. 3. There is damage to the trunk of the tree that causes the loss of 40% or more of the bark. 4. 40% or more of the canopy is pruned or lost due to construction. h. General Exemptions: 1. The following species are not to be considered as heritage trees but still need to be listed on a tree survey if over 5 inches in diameter: ash, aspen, boxelder, elm, mulberry, willow, and fruit trees. 2. Any invasive or noxious species, as defined by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, will not be considered a heritage tree. 7 Section 5. Section 18-61(d)(9) of the City Code, City of Chanhassen, Minnesota, is hereby amended as follows: 9. If any protected significant trees or heritage trees are removed or killed or there is a loss of trees as the result of construction activities, the city requires replacement at the rate of two diameter inches per each inch of DBH of the removed, killed, or lost trees The replacement deciduous trees shall be at least 2½ inches in diameter and replacement coniferous trees shall be at least 6 feet at the time of planting. For replacement calculation purposes, a 6-foot coniferous tree shall be counted as 2 inches dbh replacement and an 8-foot coniferous tree shall be counted as 2.5 inches dbh. All replacement trees will be species that conform to the "list of desirable tree species" as established in city code section 18-61. No more than ten percent of the trees may be from any one tree species, no more than 20% from the same genus and no more than 30% from the same family. Other species or sizes may be used as replacement trees, subject to approval by the city. Alternatively, at the city's discretion, if a developer removes trees within a protected area, the canopy coverage area shall be calculated for that area, and a replacement area two times the canopy coverage area that was removed shall be planted. One tree shall be planted for each 1,089 square feet of required replacement area. Trees shall be from the list of desirable tree species, no more than ten percent of trees from any one tree species, with an average 2½-inch diameter, a similar species as vegetation existing on-site, and appropriate to the soil conditions. For any replacement trees that cannot be planted on the original site due to space restrictions, the developer shall pay the city the value of the trees, including material and installation, into the community tree planting fund. For any heritage tree that cannot be replaced on site due to space restrictions, the developer shall pay the city the value of the tree at twice the rate of the fee set for significant trees as established within the city fee schedule. Section 6. This ordinance shall be effective immediately upon its passage and publication. PASSED AND ADOPTED this ___day of _____, 2025, by the City Council of the City of Chanhassen, Minnesota ______________________________ ________________________________ Jenny Potter, City Clerk Elise Ryan, Mayor (Published in the ____________ on ______________________________) 8 Environmental Commission Item December 10, 2025 Subject Solar Panel Presentation Section DISCUSSION ITEMS Prepared By Jamie Marsh, Environmental Resource Specialist City staff will give a brief presentation with information about the solar panels that were installed on the roof of City Hall. 9