The City of Chanhassen is reviewing a potential Heritage Tree Ordinance.  If adopted, the preservation and replacement of heritage trees— the city’s largest and most mature trees — would have greater scrutiny.  The proposed updates would clarify definitions, modify tree survey requirements and adjust preservation and replacement requirements during subdivision or development projects. 

Residents are invited to share feedback while these citywide policies are being reviewed. Public input at this stage helps inform how future development proposals are evaluated under city code. Once ordinances are adopted, those rules guide how individual projects are reviewed.  

The Planning Commission discussed the draft ordinance on October 7 and that will be followed by the Environmental Commission on October 8, with a public hearing tentatively scheduled for the November 3 Planning Commission meeting. To learn more, review the draft Heritage Tree Ordinance in the agendas for the Planning Commission and Environmental Commission meetings. You can also track the ordinance and stay up to date on upcoming meetings here.

You can also share your feedback by emailing publiccomments@chanhassenmn.gov