Minnetonka Beach Tree Protection & Zoning Ordinance Survey

In 2022 and 2023, the City made several modifications to its zoning ordinance in order to preserve the unique characteristics of our community, and to respond to concerns expressed by our residents and the Department of Natural Resources. These modifications included lake setbacks, hardcover percentages, and a new tree protection section.

The City's Planning Commission would like to understand resident opinions on some of these specific regulations. They would like feedback from more than 50% of the residents and appreciate your time. This survey has 24 multiple choice questions and should take about 5-10 minutes.

Residents age 18 and older are encouraged to fill out the survey.

Your name and address will be recorded by City Staff to track responses. Your specific responses and identifying information will remain confidential.
1.What is your first name? (confidential)(Required.)
2.What is your last name? (confidential)(Required.)
3.What is your street address? (confidential)(Required.)
4.The City should have regulations for residents to cut down a healthy "heritage" tree (90-150+ years old depending on species).
5.The City currently requires City Council approval for a resident to cut down a healthy "heritage" deciduous tree (maple, oak, other hardwoods) of more than 30 inches diameter (90-150+ years old for most species). Cottonwoods are not considered a "heritage" tree.

I believe the regulation is
6.The City currently requires City Council approval for a resident to cut down a healthy "heritage" coniferous tree (spruce, pine or other evergreen) of more than 30 feet tall (30-40 years old for most species).
7.The City should have regulations for residents desiring to cut down healthy "significant" trees (18-145+ years old depending on species).
8.The City currently requires a permit to cut down “significant” deciduous trees (maple, oak, other hardwoods) of 6-29” diameter (about 18-145+ years old for most species), with some special restrictions such as not being within 75’ of the lake.

I believe that this regulation is
9.The City currently requires a permit to cut down “significant” coniferous trees (pine, spruce, other evergreen) trees of 12-30 feet in height (about 10-30 years old for most species), with some special restrictions such as not being within 75’ of the lake.

I believe that this regulation is
10.The City currently considers cottonwood trees of 6” diameter or more to be classified as “significant” and requires a permit to cut down.

I believe that this regulation is
11.The City currently requires the planting of replacement trees if healthy "significant" trees are removed and the lot no longer has at least one Healthy Protected Tree per 2,500 square feet (approximately 8-9 trees per half acre).

I believe that this regulation is
12.The City should have regulations for residents desiring to cut down trees that are less than 6" in diameter (approximately 18-30 years old depending on species).
13.The City currently has no restrictions and does not require permits for cutting down deciduous trees (maple, oak or other hardwood) that are less than 6 inches in diameter, with some restrictions such as not being within 75’ of the lake.

I believe that this regulation is
14.The City currently has no restrictions and does not require permits for cutting down coniferous trees (pine, spruce, other evergreen) that are less than 12 feet in height, with some restrictions such as not being within 75’ of the lake.

I believe that this regulation is
15.The City should have regulations for residents desiring to cut down dead, diseased or hazardous trees.
16.For significant or heritage trees only, the City currently requires a certified arborist or the city inspector to confirm that a tree is dead, diseased or hazardous (except in case of an emergency) before a resident may cut it down.

I believe that this regulation is
17.The City should have regulations for residents desiring to cut down noxious trees (buckthorn, green ash, boxelder and other invasive species).
18.The City’s regulation allows cutting down noxious trees without a permit.

I believe that this regulation is
19.The City’s regulations do not regulate cutting down hedges. Arborvitae are considered trees (not hedges) in the code and are subject to the tree regulations described above.

I believe that this regulation is
20.The City should regulate how close to the lake a resident may build a home.
21.The City currently requires a house to be at least 75 feet from the lake, or behind an imaginary line connecting the neighbors’ houses on each side (“line of sight”), whichever is farther from the lake.

I believe this regulation is
22.The City should regulate how close to the side property line a resident may build a house.
23.The City currently requires a house to be 15% of the lot width away from each property line (e.g. 15 feet away from each side on a 100 foot wide lot), with a minimum of 6 feet on very narrow lots and maximum requirement of 20’ on wide lots.

I believe that this regulation is
24.The City should regulate the percentage of a lot that a resident may cover with buildings, decks, patios and other surfaces impervious to rain (“hardcover”).
25.The City currently limits “hardcover” to 30% of a lot, which may be covered by impervious surfaces such as houses, garages, driveways, walkways, etc.

I believe that this regulation is
26.The City should regulate residents grading a lot to raise the land (and potentially new structures) higher than neighboring properties.
27.The City currently has no regulations on building up lots higher than neighbor lots, as long as the grading is at least 75 feet from the lake, and as long as water does not flow from the higher property to the lower property.

I believe that this regulation is