The Britton City Council held their June meeting last Tuesday. Ordinance #607 regarding trees was again a big topic of conversation. At last month’s meeting, the second reading of the ordinance had been postponed to allow time for the council to consider public opinion. Various people again spoke on the matter at Tuesday’s meeting. Tom Farber asked again about planting trees on right of ways adjacent to the streets. He was told it would be unlikely on his property given the stipulations of the ordinance.
A lengthy discussion ensued about how far from the curb, into the right of way someone can plant trees. Various council members and Mayor Clyde Fredrickson expressed concerns about keeping the right of ways near the road clear for future utilities. “We don’t know what kinds of utilities will be coming up in the future,” noted Fredrickson. Councilman Austin Sasker added that given potential street improvements in the future, he would rather err on the side of caution and keep trees back from the roads to make way for construction.
Ultimately, the council decided to make a change to the ordinance in the section about planting. The change was as follows: Trees may be planted in rights-of-way a maximum distance of eight feet (changed from one foot and four feet) from the abutting owner’s property line. There shall be a minimum distance of twelve feet (changed from 16 feet) between the tree base and curb top or road edge. Rights-of-way vary in width and in some instances planting a tree may not be possible.
The second reading of the ordinance was approved with that amendment and then adopted.
Subsequently, the tree street policy dictating what species of trees may be planted on the city rights of way was adopted. Public Works Supervisor George Flanery noted that the policy can be revisited in the future and changed.
A couple residents also brought up the issue of notice when it comes to having trees removed from the rights of way near their property. Notice to remove trees for issues such as damage or disease is not required currently. The council agreed that they would discuss that topic at next month's meeting as it might require a policy, which needs to be on the agenda.
The group convened as the zoning board to handle various matters. The second reading of an ordinance for a rezone for LC Enterprises was approved. The rezone from highway commercial to general industrial was okayed for the property surrounding 14th Avenue near the Community Transit garage. A special exemption that would allow future projects on the property was also approved. The first reading of an ordinance to rezone some property owned by Dirk Weber, south of the ballfield, east of Jake’s Auto, from residential to general industrial for the purpose of building a storage building was approved.
In other council business, Fredrickson asked the council if they were still interested in pursuing the possible land swap with Jason Bender. This matter had been brought up previously regarding a swap of Bender’s property near the ball fields and some city property in the old sale barn lots. The council agreed they were still interested in such a deal as the ball fields may expand in the future and directed the mayor to discuss the matter more with Bender.
Garbage bids were opened. One bid was received from Lehr Sanitation. The bid for three years of $20 per month per household, the same rate as present, was accepted.
At the end of the meeting, Fredrickson and the council thanked outgoing councilman Austin Sasker. It was Sasker’s last meeting as he did not re-petition for the seat. He has served on the council for around eight years. No other petitions were submitted for the position so a council member would need to be appointed to fill the seat.
