09.c2 Council Agenda Request_ DiVita - concern for the trees
Council Agenda Request - Citizen Request for Action
Dear Scandia City Council members,
I am formally requesting that the Scandia City Council and Scandia Planning Commission
consider, with greater attention and care, how current ordinances related to residential shoreline
management are considerate of the natural environment and wildlife when issuing permits that
are specifically tied to the re-development of lakeshore properties. For example, could the
following be considered when granting permits:
1. A survey/map/notation of trees over a certain diameter (6 inches) - currently required for
property owners seeking a variance, but could it be extended to all permit requests?
2. An assessment of the health of trees on the property completed by an arborist
3. As part of permitting, a binding commitment by the homeowner to preserve as many older,
healthy trees as possible, and to replace trees (of a yet to be determined size) on any area of
property, not only within the shore and bluff impact zone
My request is directly tied to my concerns related to the property at 13290 182nd St. N. which I
presented at the December 17th Scandia City Council meeting.
https://weblink.cityofscandia.com/WebLink/DocView.aspx?id=118854&dbid=0&repo=Laserfiche
Respectfully,
Sam DiVita
13431 182nd St. N.
Marine on St. Croix, MN 55047
Resources:
City of Scandia - recently adopted ordinances
https://www.cityofscandia.com/city_services/codes_and_ordinances/recently_adopted_ordinances_.php
Ordinance No. 2024-04 Amending the Shoreland Management Regulations Ordinance
https://cms5.revize.com/revize/scandia/Document%20Center/Code%20of%20Ordinances/Ordinance%20No.%20202
4-04%20Amending%20Shoreland%20Management%20Regulations.pdf
2040 Comprehensive Plan for Scandia:
https://weblink.cityofscandia.com/WebLink/DocView.aspx?id=77760&dbid=0&repo=Laserfiche
Other resources related to tree benefits/preservation:
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/600f2e3203ab2e14c15b5c87/t/632391bde7fc1a21e1552b68/1663275458251/
1_Carnelian+Marine+St.+Croix+2022+Watershed+Management+Plan+web.pdf
https://www.sciencefriday.com/segments/big-trees-forest-ecosystems/#segment-transcript
https://www.americanforests.org/article/the-importance-of-big-old-trees/
The following neighbors have agreed to sign on to my citizen request for action:
Sandy Holcomb
13322 182nd St. N.
Jerry and Nancy Schilling
12700 182nd St. N.
Fannella Collins and Jeffery Grundtner
17989 Norell Ave. N.
Mickie Dent/Eric Boyles
18510 Norell Ave. N.
Thank you,
Sam DiVita