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RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE VEGETATION MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES IN THE SKYLINE PARKWAY CORRIDOR MANAGEMENT PLAN AS THE FRAMEWORK FOR CITY POLICIES AND ACTIONS.
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BY COUNCILOR GARDNER:
WHEREAS, in 1891 the Board of Park Commissioners, in its first annual report, described Skyline Parkway as “[a] drive that is the pride of our city, and one that for its picturesque and varied scenery is second to none in the world...”; and
WHEREAS, Skyline Parkway stretches the length of the city of Duluth and generations of Duluth citizens and tourists have enjoyed unparalleled views of the St. Louis River, the Duluth Harbor and Lake Superior; and
WHEREAS, in August of 2003 the city’s department of planning and development, in conjunction with other state and regional stakeholders, issued the Skyline Parkway Corridor Management Plan (“SPCMP”), which was to serve as a foundation for the implementation of an official framework for city policies and actions relating to Skyline Parkway and was updated in June of 2015, a copy of which is attached hereto; and
WHEREAS, the SPCMP provides a three-tiered strategy for managing vegetation along Skyline Parkway. First, existing “formal” overviews are to be kept clear of vegetation interfering with views. Second, overlooks that have been closed are to be opened and cleared. Finally, the city is to assume responsibility for periodic clearing and trimming on city owned property consistent with Sec. 35-29.1 of the Duluth City Code concerning removal and pruning of trees on city property to preserve and restore views. With regards to private property, the city will, when necessary and appropriate, facilitate a process for negotiations with property owners to replace trees that interfere with views with lower growing vegetation; and
WHEREAS, the SPCMP has not been adopted by the city council, but is currently considered an unofficial guide for city officials; and
WHEREAS, many of the beautiful overviews and outlooks along Skyline Parkway are overgrown and have not been cleared in accordance with the vegetation management plan provided for in the SPCMP.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Duluth city council adopts the vegetation management guidelines provided for in the SPCMP to prioritize the maintenance of views on Skyline Parkway to the maximum degree that resources permit.
Statement of Purpose
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE: The resolution adopts the vegetation management guidelines set for in the Skyline Parkway Corridor Management Plan to provide the city with a framework to adequately clear and maintain scenic overlooks and views along Skyline Parkway to the maximum degree that resources permit. Maps on page 45 and 46 of the SPCMP depict view protection overlay areas where vegetation management is particularly important.