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Forest Lake Council approves two ordinances simplifying landscape regulations
Summary
The council approved ordinances 7 57 and 7 58 consolidating and streamlining the city’s landscaping requirements to reduce excessive plant-quantity mandates and add flexibility; the Planning Commission recommended approval and the motion carried unanimously.
Forest Lake — The city council voted to approve two ordinances, numbered 7 57 and 7 58, that reorganize and simplify the city’s landscaping regulations in the zoning code.
City staff said the update is part of a larger zoning-code architecture project intended to consolidate scattered landscape rules into a single, clearer chapter. According to staff, the revisions aim to reduce what they described as “excessive” plant-quantity requirements that developers have struggled to meet, while keeping design standards and allowing staff discretion and fee-in-lieu options when woodland removal or mitigation arises.
The Planning Commission reviewed the draft at its July 9 meeting, held a public hearing and returned a recommendation for council approval after additional revisions. Council members asked questions about tree-mitigation options and whether the code permits redirecting required plantings to public-park tree funds; staff said the code allows fees in lieu and that the Park Capital Fund currently holds a tree mitigation account for public plantings.
One council member moved to approve both ordinances together; the motion was seconded and voted carried. The ordinances were recorded on the meeting agenda as 7 57 and 7 58.
Council members and staff said the goal is to retain well-designed landscaping on development sites without imposing standards that lead to over-planting or create signage-blocking conflicts for businesses. The council did not amend the ordinances on the floor.
