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6/10/2026 - Planning Commission - Regular - Agendas CITY OF SPRING PARK PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING AGENDA JUNE 10, 2026 – 6:00 PM SPRING PARK CITY HALL 1. CALL TO ORDER 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA a. Planning Commission Minutes – 11-12-2025 b. Planning Commission/City Council Joint Meeting Minutes – 3-11-2026 3. TOPICS OF DISCUSSION a. Introduce New Member Cameron Porter b. Tree Preservation Ordinance c. Parks Walk Planning 4. MISCELLANEOUS 5. ADJOURNMENT All meetings of the Spring Park Planning Commission are video recorded and available for viewing online at www.ci.spring- park.mn.us or Spring Park | Lake Minnetonka Cable Commission (lmcc-tv.org). Meeting minutes are intended to be a general synopsis of the meetings of the Planning Commission. Additional detail regarding discussions and policy considerations is provided by watching the recording of the meeting. CITY OF SPRING PARK PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES NOVEMBER 12, 2025 – 6:00 PM SPRING PARK CITY HALL 1. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 6:00pm. Commissioners present: Chair Hoffman, Commissioners Avalos, Homan, and Terryll. Staff present: City Administrator Anderson and City Planner Lori Johnson 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Planning Commissioner Terryll motioned, being seconded by Planning Commissioner Homan, to approve the agenda as presented, moving the public hearing to follow the ADU and Parking Requirement agenda items. On vote being taken, the motion was unanimously approved. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES a. Planning Commission Minutes – October 8, 2025 Planning Commissioner Homan motioned, being seconded by Planning Commissioner Terryll, to approve the Planning Commission minutes from October 8, 2025. On vote being taken, the motion was unanimously approved. 4. ADU REQUIREMENTS City Planner Johnson recapped the following changes to the ordinance language for Auxiliary Dwelling Units (ADU’s) that the Planning Commission required: • Allowance of detached units. • ADU must be occupied by a family member. • The property must be homesteaded. • Impervious surface requirements must be met. • ADU’s can be over detached garages Commissioner Avalos also recommended changing the ADU size limit to 400 sq. ft. versus 600 sq. ft. Chair Hoffman proposed removing the language that references the yard location requirement of an ADU. Chair Hoffman motioned, being seconded by Commissioner Avalos, to approve the ADU ordinance language requirements as stated above for Auxiliary Dwelling Units. On vote being taken, the motion was unanimously approved. 5. PARKING REQUIREMENTS Ordinance language changes for parking will now include parking requirements for personal services such as health clubs and beauty salons. Chair Hoffman motioned, being seconded by Commissioner Homan, to approve the parking ordinance language changes as stated above. On vote being taken, the motion was unanimously approved. All meetings of the Spring Park Planning Commission are video recorded and available for viewing online at www.ci.spring- park.mn.us or Spring Park | Lake Minnetonka Cable Commission (lmcc-tv.org). Meeting minutes are intended to be a general synopsis of the meetings of the Planning Commission. Additional detail regarding discussions and policy considerations is provided by watching the recording of the meeting. PUBLIC HEARING – Amending ADU & Parking Ordinance Language (notice published in the October 25, 2025 edition of The Laker Pioneer) Chair Hoffman opened the public hearing at 6:24pm. With no public comments received, the public hearing was closed at 6:24pm. Chair Hoffman motioned, being seconded by Planning Commissioner Terryll, to close the public hearing at 6:24pm. On vote being taken, the motion was unanimously approved. 6. TREE PRESERVATION City Planner Johnson reviewed the tree preservation ordinance language from other cities. She asked what the priority was, canopy trees or heritage trees or both. Commissioner Homan would like to include [provisions to preserve the heritage trees. Commissioner Terryll would like to include a diversity of species. Planner Johnson mentioned that some requirements are covered in the landscape ordinances. She will bring some examples to the next meeting. 7. MISCELLANEOUS Commissioner Avalos has been researching additional parking options within the city. He stated there are a few lots in the city that could be utilized. One is on Lilac and Northern and the other is by Wilkes Park. He stated that the one on Lilac and Northern could be either additional parking spaces or another park. The lot by Wilkes Park could be made into another entrance to the park. All agreed that we should move forward with exploring the options for these lots. City Administrator Anderson stated that public work is going to trim up the trees at Wilkes – Commissioner Homan asked if he could have them trims the vines by the compost bins as well. 8. ADJOURNMENT There being no further discussion, Planning Commissioner Avalos motioned, being seconded by Planning Commissioner Terryll, to adjourn the meeting at 7:36p.m. On vote being taken, the motion was unanimously approved. Respectfully submitted, Jamie Hoffman, City Clerk All meetings of the Spring Park City Council are video recorded and available for viewing online at www.ci.spring-park.mn.us or Spring Park | Lake Minnetonka Cable Commission (lmcc-tv.org). Work Session minutes are intended to be a general synopsis of the meeting of the City Council. Additional detail regarding discussions and policy considerations is provided by watching the recording of the meeting. CITY OF SPRING PARK JOINT PLANNING COMMISSION/CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES MARCH 11, 2026 – 5:00 PM SPRING PARK CITY HALL (Work Session discussion times are approximate) 1. MEET AND GREET/SELF INTRODUCTIONS 2. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 5:30p.m. Council Present: Mayor Chase, Council Member’s Sippel and Suttle were present. Council Members Horton and Turner were absent. Planning Commissioners Present: Chair Hoffman, Commissioners Avalos, Homan, and Terryll were present. Staff Present: City Administrator Anderson, City Planner Lori Johnson - WSB 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Commissioner Terryll motioned, being seconded by Commissioner Homan, to approve the agenda as presented. On vote being taken, the motion was unanimously approved. 4. TOPICS OF DISCUSSION Discussion was had on all subjects with next steps noted below. a. Ord. 26-01: ADU’s: City Planner Johnson will bring back some information and language recommendations based on their discussion. b. Ord. 26-03: Parking: City Planner Johnson will provide the final ordinance at the 3-16-2026 Council meeting for approval. c. Tree Preservation Ordinance: The Planning Commission advised Council they were still working on this ordinance and will present to them once code language is fully vetted and it’s ready for Council review. d. Comprehensive Plan Update: City Planner Johnson said it’s time for the city to start looking at a comp plan update to 2050. She reviewed a checklist for the city’s required elements along with the statutory requirements. She offered that WSB could provide a bid for services to do the report. e. City Events/Holiday Lighting: Continue with Holiday Lighting just book earlier. Mark and Caroline will look at possible dates and let us know. 5. MISCELLANEOUS: Cameron Porter applied for the open Planning Commissioner position. Administrator Anderson will Contact him to set up an introduction with the Council at the 4/20 Council meeting. All meetings of the Spring Park City Council are video recorded and available for viewing online at www.ci.spring-park.mn.us or Spring Park | Lake Minnetonka Cable Commission (lmcc-tv.org). Work Session minutes are intended to be a general synopsis of the meeting of the City Council. Additional detail regarding discussions and policy considerations is provided by watching the recording of the meeting. 6. ADJOURNMENT There being no further discussion, Commissioner Terryll motioned, being seconded by Commissioner Homan, to adjourn the meeting at 7:14p.m. On vote being taken, the motion was unanimously approved. Respectfully submitted, Jamie Hoffman, City Clerk 7 0 1 X E N I A A V E N U E S | S U I T E 3 0 0 | M I N N E A P O L I S , M N | 5 5 4 1 6 | 7 6 3 . 5 4 1 . 4 8 0 0 | W S B E N G . C O M City of Spring Park Memorandum To: Mike Anderson, City Administrator From: Lori Johnson, City Planner Date: March 27, 2026 for the April 8, 2026 Planning Commission Re: Proposed Tree Preservation Ordinance Discussion In recent months, the Planning Commission has reviewed proposed tree preservation ordinance language for possible inclusion in the zoning ordinance on two occasions. Through their exploration of what such an ordinance can achieve for the city, they have engaged in thoughtful discussions about its potential benefits. In November 2025, the Commission provided guidance to city staff regarding the creation of a new tree preservation ordinance, outlining the following priorities: • The ordinance should include a provision to protect heritage trees. • It must specify penalties for property owners who remove trees before receiving city approval for development. • Establishing a diverse tree canopy is viewed as essential. Additional topics discussed included establishing a tree preservation fund to support cases where developers cannot replace trees on-site due to development constraints, as well as reviewing the city's landscape ordinance to determine how it could align with or complement the proposed tree preservation plan. When reviewing the city’s current zoning ordinance it was determined that the ordinance does not address landscaping requirements for new development, whether it be commercial or residential development. Because of this issue, I added a requirement in the tree preservation ordinance that no more than 50% of the replacement trees can be of the same species. This would allow for the diversification of new trees added as a result of tree removal. Attached is a proposed ordinance that was drafted based on Excelsior’s tree preservation ordinance. I believe that it accomplishes all of the priorities bulleted above. Page 1 of 3 Tree preservation and protection. Existing significant and heritage trees shall be preserved to the extent reasonably possible. Street, buildings and lot layouts shall be designed to minimize the disturbance to significant existing trees. (a) Applicability. This section applies to all lots in Spring Park. (b) Exemptions. The following activities are exempt from the requirements of this subchapter with approval from the City Zoning Administrator: (1) Removal of invasive species of trees as defined by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the control of pioneering tree species such as Boxelder; (2) Removal of a tree that has been determined to be diseased or dying; (3) Removal of trees that pose an immediate danger to life or property that cannot be corrected by pruning, transplanting, or other treatments; (4) Removal of a tree that's aesthetic values are so low or negative that the site is visually enhanced by the tree's removal; (5) Removal of a tree that poses an extreme public nuisance because of its species, size, location, or condition. The nuisance could be caused by fruit or seed drop, harboring of insects, or excessive twig or limb breakage; (6) Removal of trees that are significantly damaged by storms or natural disasters. (c) Protected individual trees. The following trees are protected, and shall be preserved and maintained according to the standards of this section: (1) Significant trees, which are any tree (except box elders, poplar, willow, silver maple, black locust and mulberry) with a diameter at breast height (DBH) of eight inches or more. (2) Heritage trees, which are any tree (except box elders, poplar, willow, silver maple, black locust and mulberry) with a diameter at breast height (DBH) of 30 inches or more. (3) Any tree that is shown on an approved landscape plan that is necessary to meet a condition of approval of the development to which the landscape plan applies. (d) Tree survey required. (1) A tree survey performed by a certified arborist, registered landscape architect, or a registered land surveyor shall be submitted prior to removal of any protected tree. (2) The tree survey shall address the location, species, size, and condition of all protected trees. (3) The city may accept a partial tree survey in lieu of a full tree survey if the Zoning Administrator finds that protected trees only exist on a portion of the site. (f) Limitation on tree removal. Page 2 of 3 (1) No Heritage tree shall be removed unless the Zoning Administrator has determined the tree poses an immediate danger to life or property that cannot be corrected by pruning, transplanting, or other treatments. (2) No significant tree or tree required by this ordinance shall be removed unless no reasonable alternative site design at the same density and intensity could be approved and the tree replacement standards in subsection (g) are met. (g) Tree replacement standards. Tree Replacement Standards for Deciduous Trees DBH of Tree to be Removed Number of Required Four and Half-Inch Caliper Replacements Min. DBH Up to, But Not Including 8 inches 15 inches 2 15 inches 20 inches 4 20 inches 30 inches 6 Tree Replacement Standards for Coniferous Trees Height of Tree to be Removed Number of Required Eight- Foot Replacements Min. Height Up to, But Not Including> 8 feet 20 feet 2 20 feet No limit 4 (h) Diversification in replacement: No more than 50% of the replacement trees can be of the same species. (i) Replacement off-site. If it is physically impractical to replant all replacement trees on site, then the applicant shall mitigate the loss of trees by either planting the required replacement trees on public property within the city as approved by the public works superintendent and/or paying a mitigation fee into the city's tree mitigation in-lieu fund. This fee shall be set forth in the city's fee resolution, and equal the cost of purchasing and planting the trees. (j) Timing of replacement. (1) For activities that do not require a certificate of occupancy, replacement trees that are required by this section shall be installed within 60 days of removal, or if such date is not within a growing season, within the first 60 days of the next growing season. (2) For developments requiring a certificate of occupancy, replacement trees shall be planted before issuance of the certificate of occupancy. (k) Tree protection specifications. The following tree protection specifications should be followed to the maximum extent feasible for all projects with protected existing trees. Page 3 of 3 (1) No clearing shall be allowed on a site until approval of a building permit. A tree removal, retention and replacement plan shall be approved by the Zoning Administrator prior to issuance of a building permit; (2) An area of prohibited disturbance, generally corresponding to the dripline of the protected tree shall be protected during construction with a temporary five-foot- high chain link or plastic net fence. The fencing shall be installed prior to issuance of buliding permits for the site; (3) No fill, excavation, or storage of construction materials shall be permitted within the area defined by such fencing; (4) Where vehicular/equipment access is required within the drip line of a tree, the soil, and incidentally the tree's roots, shall be protected with 10 inches of woodchips and/or plywood placed over the path of the vehicle to limit soil compaction and subsequent root; (5) A rock well shall be constructed if the grade level around the tree is to be raised by more than one foot. The inside diameter of the well shall be equal to the diameter of the dripline of the tree; (6) The grade level shall not be lowered within the larger of the two areas defined as follows: a. The dripline of the tree(s); or b. An area around the tree equal to one (1) foot diameter for each inch of tree trunk diameter measured four (4) feet above the ground; (7) When construction is complete, all trees to remain must have the soil out to their drop line aerated and de-compacted. (8) Alternative protection methods may be used if determined by the Zoning Administrator to provide equal or greater tree protection. (l) Removal without Permit: All significant or heritage trees removed or damaged through development activities that have not received the appropriate permits must be replaced on-site with approval of the Zoning Administrator, or in the form of payment of a fee to the City reforestation fund in an amount established by the City Council.