09-29-2008 TBMHUTCHINSON TREE BOARD
Monday, September,29 2008
5:00 p.m.
Council Chambers, City Center
Minutes
Members present:
_X_Corey Stearns, _X_Dale Redetzke, _X_Laura Poser, _X_Newton Potter,
Members absent:
_X_ Steve Cook,
Others Present:
_X_Mark Schnobrich, City Forester; _X_ John Olson, Public Works Supervisor
Others present: _Gus Wurdell, Hutchinson Mall Representative________
________________________________________________________________
Meeting called to order at __5:15_ p.m.
There was a quorum of members present: __Y ___N
1.Hutchinson Mall Highway 15 South Sign Visual Problems
Gus Wurdell of the Hutchinson Mall presented his request to have trees removed along Highway 15 South that
blocked the Mall marquee and entrance sign into the mall property. Visuals were shown depicting the sign
blockage due to trees. The Tree Board acknowledged that visibility was blocked due to the trees but also some
blockage was due to a KFC sign from the south and a Holiday store sign from the north. Mark Schnobrich asked if
the mall was still looking at replacing the tall existing sign with a low monument sign that could be seen from the
below the tree canopy. Gus stated that the mall is willing to replace those trees that are removed to alleviate
blockage at a three to one ratio and that $15,000 to landscape as compared to a new $40,000 sign was an option
the Mall would rather propose.
The Tree Board reviewed the visuals depicting the blockage and suggested that four trees be removed, one north
of the entrance and three to the south of the entrance thus providing adequate spaced sighting of the sign from the
highway.
Schnobrich indicated that because the trees lie within the Minnesota Department of Transportation Right of Way,
that a request to remove them due to sign blockage must be made to the District Engineer. Mark passed out the
required MnDOT memorandum to Mr. Wurdell for him to review.
2. Alternative Landscape Request from Rich Westland for lot
located at 1165 West Shore Dr SW
Rich Westland, owner of an undeveloped lot at 1165 West Shore Dr SW submitted to the Tree Board an Alternative
Landscape plan to install prairie grasses on his lot. He completed the form as required with one discontented neighbor
indicating that they would prefer not to have such a landscape in their neighborhood.
The Board reviewed the site via visual images and approved the request emphasizing that areas bordering the
neighbors must be maintained using mowed buffers between the natural vegetation and the manicured adjacent lawns.
3.Discussion of revising the Soil Enhancement guidelines.
The last time it was presented was in 2002
The board briefly discussed reintroducing to the Planning Commission a revised soil enhancement requirement for all
new residential and commercial construction. The continued deterioration of soil quality as a result of construction
techniques is resulting in detrimental impacts to our community. Such things as increased irrigation costs, increased
flooding and storm water management costs, and landscape plant health. The objective is to encourage planners and
developers to prevent damage to soil quality and soil function by helping them target critical points in the construction
and development process. Mark will compile a draft standard that can be reviewed by the board as a possible
document to send on to the Planning Commission fro their review.
4.Other Discussions/ New Business
-Boulevard Tree removal due to adjacent property
construction “Policy”
Tree removal on the boulevard as a result of private property construction is a factor in losing boulevard
trees. In the past, an unwritten policy was to have the property owner who is requiring the removal to pay
for a replacement tree to be planted in the area of town where the removal is taking place. The board
reviewed this policy concept and recommended that Mark write a draft policy that could be utilized this year
to allow potential property owners to become of aware of this policy. Such verbiage as “ must pay for
removal of existing tree” and “ a one to one replacement is minimum requirement for removing a boulevard
tree” would be in the policy.
At _7:10 p.m., a motion to adjourn was made.
NEXT MEETING: _October 27, 2008