Tree Protection Ordinance
Minnetonka’s trees and woodlands are an integral part of the city's identity. A 2019 tree canopy coverage study noted that 58 percent of Minnetonka’s land area is covered by canopy. This leads Minnesota’s metropolitan cities.
Unfortunately, Minnetonka’s tree canopy is threatened by the changing Minnesota climate, disease and pests. Much less impactful are development and construction activities. While climate, disease and pests are difficult to regulate locally, the city can and has regulated tree removal associated with development and construction. This regulation is a small part of a larger community effort to protect out trees and woodlands.
Existing Tree Protection Ordinance
Tree protection has been noted in city policies and regulations for more than 30 years. In 2008, the city adopted the current version of its tree protection ordinance, which leads ordinances locally and nationally in protecting tree resources. It focuses on protecting and maintaining the community trees and woodlands. During the land subdivision process, the Minnetonka applies levels of protection to woodland areas and individual trees, while also requiring replanting; most ordinances focus on protecting woodlands or protecting individual trees or require tree replanting.
Proposed Tree Protection Ordinance
Development and construction activities represent just two of many potential impacts to the city’s trees and woodlands; future threats of the changing Minnesota climate, disease and pests will be much more impactful. The proposed ordinance continues to focus on protecting and maintaining trees and woodlands during development and construction, as well as placing new emphasis on sustainability and resilience.
Provide feedback on the proposed Tree Protection Ordinance.
If you are having trouble accessing the survey, please email Susan Thomas at sthomas@minnetonkamn.gov. A PDF copy can be emailed to you.
The primary substantive differences between the existing ordinance and the proposed ordinance are:
High Priority and Significant Trees: Species
The existing ordinance places value on – and establishes protection for – certain trees based solely on species. The proposed ordinance generally does not prioritize trees based solely on species. In removing references to specific species, the ordinance recognizes that:
- All trees provide some value – be it aesthetic significance, “quick growth” buffering, stormwater management, pollinator and wildlife habitat, etc.
- A diversity of tree species will result in woodlands more resilient to the effects of climate change and as-yet-unknown pests and disease.
High Priority and Significant Trees: Size
Under the proposed ordinance, a tree will be considered high priority or significant, based solely on size. The size thresholds are also lowered, protecting the “forest of the future” by protecting trees previously perceived as “small” that are, in fact, quite old. For example, a 10-inch basswood may be 45 years old, and a 10-inch white oak may be 65 years old. In other words, achieving the replacement value of even these somewhat smaller trees will still take many, many decades.
Removal Thresholds
The existing ordinance establishes maximum removal thresholds during the subdivision (dividing property) process for woodland preservation areas (WPA) and high priority trees. The proposed ordinance:
- Maintains these thresholds
- Adds a threshold for the removal of significant trees
- Applies the thresholds to redevelopment activities, including the removal and replacement of existing single-family homes.
Exceptions
The proposed ordinance allows the city council to approve removal above the percentages noted above if removal would promote:
- A greater public good;
- Preservation of important or unique natural features of the site; or
- Planting or growth of more climate-resilient trees or vegetation.
Natural Resource Fund
In some unique situations, site conditions may not allow a property owner or applicant to achieve the required amount of tree replanting. Under the existing ordinance, city staff can allow for reduced replanting in these unique situations. The proposed ordinance requires a cash contribution to the natural resources fund for those mitigation trees that cannot be “fit” on a site.
