Edina Commission Advances Tree Protection Rules, Approves Two-Year Work Plan
The Edina Energy & Environment Commission approved recommendations to strengthen the city's tree protection ordinance and finalized a two-year work plan focused on air quality, school outreach, and food security at its October 9 meeting.
The commission voted to send detailed feedback on proposed changes to Edina's Tree Protection Ordinance to the City Council. Commissioner Bartholomew made the motion, seconded by Commissioner Weber. The recommendations include creating guidelines for off-site tree planting when on-site replacement isn't possible, defining specific exemptions for situations like steep slopes or utility easements, and requiring 80% same-species replacement with 20% flexibility for diversity.
Commissioners expressed concern that some exemption language was too vague and could be misused in the future. They specifically flagged the term 'licensed professional' as needing clearer definition. The commission also recommended a new 'demolition letter' procedure that would notify property owners within 300 feet of tree removal sites, giving neighbors 15 days to volunteer their land for replacement plantings at no cost.
The commission approved a comprehensive work plan for 2026-27 containing seven initiatives. Top priorities include studying engine idling policies with an emphasis on schools, building relationships with local schools on climate topics, and promoting composting in apartment buildings through neighborhood competitions. The food security assessment that began in 2025 will continue, examining hunger conditions in Edina and exploring food rescue opportunities.
Three items were set aside for future consideration: organized trash hauling, reducing vehicle miles traveled, and input on the city's 2050 Comprehensive Plan.
The commission also approved minutes from two previous meetings. The August 14 session had included a community comment from Morningside Neighborhood architect Merriweather Felt about tree protection concerns. The September 11 meeting was held without enough members present to take official action but covered economic development and food-related climate priorities.
The tree ordinance recommendations will now go to the City Council for consideration. Work plan items still need assigned leaders and staff support details before final submission.
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Votes (5)
Approval of Meeting Minutes, August 14, 2025
The Commission reviewed minutes from the August 14, 2025 regular meeting. The August meeting included roll call with six commissioners present (Weber, Bartholomew, Tessman, Schima, LaCasse, and Martinez), discussion of the 2026-27 Commission Work Plan with proposed items including Idling/Air Quality Policy, Organics, Outreach initiatives, Food Security Assessment follow-up, Organized Trash Hauling, and Transportation items. Community comment was received from Merriweather Felt, an architect from the Morningside Neighborhood, regarding concerns about the tree protection ordinance. The meeting also covered CAP Prioritization in Climate Health and Safety with Public Health Administrator Jeff Brown in attendance, and Draft Revisions to the Tree Protection Ordinance.
Approval of Meeting Minutes, September 11, 2025
The Commission reviewed minutes from the September 11, 2025 meeting, which was held without quorum. Members present included Chair Lukens, Vice-Chair Haugen, Member LaCasse, Member Martinez-Salgado, and Student Member Lassig. The meeting covered CAP Prioritization in Climate Economy and Food with Economic Development Manager Bill Neuendorf in attendance, the 2026-27 Commission Work Plan with discussion of Idling & Air Quality Policy, School Partnerships, Organics, EEC Outreach initiatives, Food Security Assessment follow-up, and future items including 2050 Comprehensive Plan, Organized Trash Hauling, and Transportation/VMT reduction. Community comment was received from Mark Hershad of BI Worldwide. The Commission also reviewed updates to Chapter 2 Administration regarding Boards, Committees and Commissions Code, with members supporting the retention of the current commission name and staff-recommended edits.
Draft Revisions to the Tree Protection Ordinance
Moved by Bartholomew · Seconded by Weber
The Commission provided comprehensive feedback on proposed amendments to the Tree Protection Ordinance. Staff recommendations included: (1) Creation of Off-Site Planting Guidelines establishing a hierarchy prioritizing on-site preservation, on-site replacement, private property replacement via 'Canopy Connect' database, and city escrow fund utilization; (2) Definition of exemptions for unique circumstances including existing tree damage to structures, steep slopes (3:1 ratio), utility easements, and flood risk areas, with requirement for licensed professional verification; (3) Species-specific replanting allowing 80% same-species replacement with 20% flexibility for species diversity; (4) Standardized measuring methodology using DBH per MN DNR for existing trees and ANSI Standards Z60 for new trees; (5) Expansion to additional zoning districts (PCD, POD, PID, PUD, PRD, MDD); (6) Maintenance of existing DBH thresholds at 5 inches and 15 feet. The Commission expressed strong support for these recommendations while recommending specific edits to enhance clarity and prevent future misinterpretation. Key concerns included the vagueness of 'licensed professional' language and the need for specific procedural steps to minimize ambiguity in exemption application. The Commission recommended adding a 'demolition letter' procedure requiring notification to property owners within 300 feet of removal sites, offering 15-day response period for interested parties to participate in off-site planting at no cost. The Commission also recommended explicit language prohibiting developers from seeking remuneration from adjacent property owners or the city in exchange for tree planting.
Work Plan Item 6, Food Security Assessment
Commissioner Bartholomew provided an update on the 2025 Work Plan Item 6 regarding Food Security Assessment. This item is being continued into the 2026-27 work plan as a Study & Report initiative. The Commission will study and report on food security assessment to determine food insecurity conditions within Edina using existing data and reports across multiple sources. The work will include collaboration with staff to research what other cities are doing, identify best practice strategies to increase food security, and explore opportunities for food rescue. The deliverable will be an Advisory Communication and report summarizing findings.
2026-27 Commission Work Plan
The Commission reviewed and approved a comprehensive two-year work plan for 2026-27 aligned with the new Council Charge framework. Seven initiatives were approved with assigned Council Charges and target completion dates: (1) Internal Combustion Engine Idling and Air Quality - Study & Report charge focusing on policy and ordinance around engine idling and air quality with emphasis on schools, target Q2 2027; (2) Education and Outreach to Schools - Event charge to build relationships with schools and assist with messaging on climate topics including school bus use, traffic, idling, and organics, target Q4 2027; (3) Organics Outreach - Event charge to promote organics recycling in multi-family housing with neighborhood-to-neighborhood contests on recycling volume, target Q4 2027; (4) Food Security Assessment and Local Food Production - Study & Report charge continuing 2025 work to examine food insecurity conditions, research best practices, and identify food rescue opportunities; (5) Green Business Outreach Program (GBOP) - Event charge continuing existing annual initiative to recognize and promote green businesses, target Q2 2026 and Q2 2027; (6) Tree Recognition Campaign (TRC) - Event charge continuing existing annual initiative to recognize and promote Edina's tree canopy with awards and Council presentation, target Q4 2026 and Q4 2027; (7) Earth Day Promotion and Tabling - Event charge supporting community Earth Day events with tabling to promote EEC initiatives and Electric Vehicles, target Q2 2026 and Q2 2027. Three items were placed in parking lot for future consideration: Organized Trash Hauling, Transportation-related item on reducing vehicle miles traveled, and 2050 Comprehensive Plan. The Commission identified that work plan items require assignment of owners and contributors, completion of staff support requirements, and liaison comments prior to final submission.
Notable Quotes (3)
The 'licensed professional' clauses are too vague; recommend either providing a list of professionals whose opinion would be considered usable or providing an 'e.g.' list indicative of the same.
We are concerned that a less-than-scrupulous reading of these types of exemptions by city staff would allow for overuse of the 'exemption' option. The concern does not lie with the current staff who are tasked with enforcing the Tree Protection Ordinance, however ordinances must be written to provide as much clarity as possible regardless of the scruples of those serving enforcement.
At no point may the developer attempt to obtain remuneration from the adjacent property owners in exchange for planting replacement trees.
Ordinances & Resolutions (6)
Edina City Code ordinance governing tree removal, replacement, and protection requirements. Amendments approved by City Council June 4, 2024 included clarifications to Chapter 10 Zoning, exemptions for heavily wooded lots, requirements for Certified Arborist involvement, replacement requirements, and escrow holding time reductions. Additional amendments under discussion include off-site planting guidelines, unique circumstance exemptions, species-specific replanting ratios, measuring methodology standardization, expansion to additional zoning districts (PCD, POD, PID, PUD, PRD, MDD), and DBH threshold maintenance at 5 inches and 15 feet.
City of Edina's comprehensive climate action strategy with sections on Climate Health and Safety and Climate Economy and Food. Staff proposed revisions were reviewed by the Commission with input from Public Health Administrator Jeff Brown and Economic Development Manager Bill Neuendorf.
Two-year work plan approved by the Commission outlining seven initiatives with assigned Council Charges: Internal Combustion Engine Idling and Air Quality (Study & Report, Q2 2027), Education and Outreach to Schools (Event, Q4 2027), Organics Outreach (Event, Q4 2027), Food Security Assessment and Local Food Production (Study & Report), Green Business Outreach Program (Event, Q2 2026/2027), Tree Recognition Campaign (Event, Q4 2026/2027), and Earth Day Promotion and Tabling (Event, Q2 2026/2027).
City Code section governing the structure and operations of boards and commissions. Commission members preferred keeping the Energy & Environment Commission name as is and supported staff-recommended edits to the code.
Framework document created January 2025 defining five Council Charge types with increasing levels of impact: Review & Comment, Study & Report, Review & Recommend, Review & Decide, and Event. Specifies requirements, deliverables, and expected outcomes for each charge type to guide commission work and align with Council expectations.
Proposed database initiative to facilitate tree replacement requirements by maintaining a registry of residents interested in planting trees on their property. Database would include name, address, email, and phone numbers of willing participants to connect developers with off-site planting opportunities.
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Other Topics from This Document
Approval of September 11, 2025 Meeting Minutes
Tree Protection Ordinance Amendments
2026-27 Commission Work Plan Development
Food Security Assessment Work Plan Item
Council Charge Framework Implementation
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