WS 2005 04 11
CHANHASSEN CITY COUNCIL
WORK SESSION
APRIL 11, 2005
Mayor Furlong called the work session to order at 5:35 p.m.
COUNCILMEMBERS PRESENT:
Mayor Furlong, Councilman Peterson, Councilman
Labatt, and Councilwoman Tjornhom
COUNCILMEMBERS ABSENT:
Councilman Lundquist
STAFF PRESENT:
Todd Gerhardt, Justin Miller, Kate Aanenson, Greg Sticha, and Matt Saam
TH 101 LOAN AGREEMENT DISCUSSION.
Todd Gerhardt reviewed the report which presented funding options for bonding either with the
State or City for the Highway 212/101 project and discussed the pros and cons of each option.
Bruce DeJong with Ehlers and Associates agreed with staff’s recommendation that bonding with
the State was the better option. Todd Gerhardt noted that the City of Chanhassen would be the
first city in Minnesota to partner with the State on a bonding project of this type. Councilman
Peterson asked about the negatives with bonding with the State. Todd Gerhardt stated the
biggest risk was if interest rates increase dramatically in the next couple years, but noted that
Ehlers would continue to monitor interest rate trends and would notify the City of potential
increases. Mayor Furlong asked staff to explain how the bonding payments would work related
to the city’s levies and repayment schedule. He thanked Todd Gerhardt, Bruce DeJong and Paul
Oehme for their hard work on this item.
STRATEGIC PLAN: RE-EVALUATE TREE PRESERVATION ORDINANCE.
Jill Sinclair reviewed the city’s ordinance and it’s impact requiring a tree inventory for trees 6
inches and larger as opposed to 12 inches. Todd Gerhardt explained that one complaint he’s
heard most often is that the City doesn’t do a tree survey. Jill Sinclair stated that it is up to the
developer to hire a private firm to inventory and mark trees. Councilman Peterson asked staff to
explain why the city went with 6 inches as opposed to state code which requires 12 inches.
Mayor Furlong asked staff to explain how staff enforces the tree preservation ordinance. Todd
Gerhardt asked Jill Sinclair to explain how tree replacement happens. Jill Sinclair stated from
staff’s perspective, they like the 6 inch minimum size and provided examples of other city’s
requirements, noting Chanhassen has the lowest minimum. Councilman Peterson asked staff to
walk through a scenario of how a canopy coverage survey would work on a 5 acre parcel, noting
his concern with the cost to developers. Is the City getting back to “Chanhassle” and is 6 inches
too restrictive. Mayor Furlong asked from a public interest standpoint, what number does the
city need to preserve trees. Jill Sinclair stated that it is crucial in the planning stages to look at
the forest versus a single tree. Mayor Furlong stated he was looking for a simple solution to
balance the need to know versus being overly restrictive. Councilman Peterson stated the real
issue is heavily wooded lots in the city are yet to be developed and wanting to make it easier for
developers. Kate Aanenson explained why the city needs the tree survey to assist in planning for
City Council Work Session – April 11, 2005
streets, sidewalks, grading and house placement. Mayor Furlong asked staff to look at other
wooded lots in town to see where the numbers have impact. Councilman Labatt stated that with
the 2005 MUSA area coming in for development, the city should stay with the 6 inch minimum.
Todd Gerhardt stated staff will continues to discuss this issue with different scenarios and put a
practice together after talking with current developers in town.
The work session was recessed at 6:30 p.m. for the Board of Review and Equalization
meeting and regular City Council meeting. It was reconvened at 7:50 p.m.
DISCUSSION CONCERNING ACCESSORY STRUCTURES.
Kate Aanenson presented a slide show showing existing non-conforming accessory structures in
the city, mostly in the Carver Beach and Lake Minnewashta areas. Councilwoman Tjornhom
asked about restrictions on hobby farms. Kate Aanenson suggested wording to help find a way
to regulate accessory structures and prohibit canopy type structures. She suggested giving a time
line to get rid of existing structures. Councilman Labatt asked staff to clarify temporary versus
permanent structure. Todd Gerhardt explained that newer neighborhoods with homeowners
associations tend to regulate themselves and that it’s the older neighborhoods without
homeowners associations that tend to have problems. Councilman Peterson asked outside of
realtors, how many complaint calls does the city receive. Mayor Furlong asked how much does
the city want to regulate this. Kate Aanenson stated that staff will monitor complaints and track
which areas of the city those complaints come from over the summer and report back to the City
Council. Mayor Furlong stated he would prefer to see homeowners associations and residents
regulate enforcement themselves on these issues.
Todd Gerhardt stated under administrative presentations he wanted to provide an update on the
Clean Water Act and the need for the State to meet Federal guidelines. He will provide a more
th
in-depth report on April 25 outlining the pros and cons of this impact.
Mayor Furlong adjourned the work session meeting at 8:25 p.m.
Submitted by Todd Gerhardt
City Manager
Prepared by Nann Opheim
2