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<br />CASE # 3 <br /> <br />Topsoil Ordinance and Education <br />By: Chris Anderson, Environmental Coordinator <br /> <br />Background: <br /> <br />As the Board may recall, City Council had been contemplating implementing a topsoil <br />requirement for any permit issued for construction of a new principal structure. Council <br />discussed this most recently at an April work session and subsequently adopted an ordinance <br />requiring a minimum of four (4) inches of topsoil applied to all disturbed areas not being <br />improved with a structure, walkway, driveway etc. The topsoil specifications that were <br />ultimately approved are enclosed. <br /> <br />Throughout the topsoil discussions, one topic that kept arising was education. The Council was <br />concerned both about getting the word out about the new topsoil requirement and about <br />informing the public about why it is being implemented and the benefits that could be realized <br />through the use topsoil. City Council came to the consensus that the EPB should develop an <br />educational piece regarding the benefits of topsoil. <br /> <br />Another topic of discussion that arose concerned the use of sod versus seed for turf <br />establishment. Currently, City Code requires all boulevard areas to be established with sod and <br />all multifamily, commercial and industrial developments must establish turf with sod. Any <br />alternative to sod requires City Council approval. It should be noted that in single family <br />developments, only the boulevard area is required to be sodded, the remainder of a yard can be <br />established via seed, hydroseed, or other landscaping features. <br /> <br />Recommendation: <br /> <br />The Board should be prepared to discuss the various components that should be included in a <br />topsoil education piece. Examples would include why it has been established, benefits of <br />topsoil, potential long-term savings, etc. Also, the Board should discuss/consider the pros/cons <br />of sod versus seeding for turf establishment. <br /> <br />EPB Action <br /> <br />Based on discussion. <br /> <br />Attachments: <br />A. Topsoil specifications <br />B. City Council work session meeting minutes dated April 7, 2009 <br /> <br />EPB: 6/1109 <br />