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<br />CASE # <br /> <br />/). <br /> <br />INTRODUCE ORDINANCE ESTABLISIllNG TOPSOIL REQUIREMENTS <br />By: Chris Anderson, Environmental Coordinator <br />Tim Rimmer, Assistant City Engineer <br /> <br />Background: <br /> <br />Rainsey has been identified as one of the largest users of non-consumptive water in the metro <br />area. In an attempt to reduce the quantity of water used annually, the city has considered and <br />implemented various conservation measures over the years. There have been several iterations <br />of a topsoil requirement considered by both the Public Works committee and the Environmental <br />Policy Board, dating back to January .of 2006. At the July 15, 2008 Public Works c01lllTI.ittee <br />rp.eetlng, Staff was directed to prepare a topsoil ordinance requiring a. minimum of foUr inches of <br />topsoil, meeting MnDOTspecification 3877.2C (premium topsoil borroW), in landscaped areas <br />of all new developments (residential and commercial/industrial). <br /> <br />Attachments: <br /> <br />a) Public Works Committee meeting minutes dated January 17,2006, January 15,2008, and <br />.July 15,2008 (including MnDOT Specification 3877.2C) .. . <br />b) Edited portiQns of Sections 9. 02 (Definitions), 9.11 (performance Standards), 9.20 <br />(Zoning Districts) & 9.50 (Subdivision) <br /> <br />Observations: <br /> <br />The sandy soils. found. throughout the City have low water retention capacity, thus large <br />quantities of water are used each year fqr irrigation. Generally spea.killg, the topsoil in the City <br />consists of silty sand with minimal organics and clay content. Therefore, establishing a topsoil <br />requir~ment shouldincr~ase the soil moisture hold~g capacity of the soil, due to the higher. <br />amounts. of clay and organics required. The topsoil requirement would be triggered by. the <br />issuance of a building permit for new construction of a principal structUre. The benefits realized <br />from requiring topsoil would include: reduced demand for rion':consumptive water; improved <br />recharge of aquifers and lower utility bills for residents as a result of less frequent waterjng... . <br /> <br />After further research, Staff has modified the topsoil specification slightly. The modifications <br />will more specifically address the soil conditions found in Ramsey by restricting the allowable <br />sand content. and be more in line with surrounding communities that have a similar requirement, <br />~uch as Blaine, St. Francis and Andover. MnPOT's specification includes a range of allowable <br />sand content (25-65%); the proposed ordinance will limit the allowable sand content to a <br />maximum of thirty-five percent (35%). <br /> <br />The proposed ordinance requires the installation ofa minimum of four (4) inches of topsoil over <br />all exposed areas not improved with buildings and paving~eX:cluding natural areas that are left <br />undisturbed. The topsoil requirement would apply to any lot, in any zoning district, being <br />improved with the constructIon of a principal building. Topsoil will be defined as: "Black dirt <br />composed of unconsolidated material, with a sufficient amount of organic matter to establish a <br /> <br />9 <br />