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<br />CASE # d <br /> <br />CONSIDER AMENDMENTS TO THE TOPSOIL ORDINANCE <br />By: Tim Himmer, City Engineer <br /> <br />Background: <br /> <br />As a means of water conservation, the City implemented a new topsoil ordinance on April 28, <br />2009. The existing ordinance went into effective on June 1,2009, and includes the following: <br />. The installation of a minimum of four (4) inches of topsoil over all exposed areas not <br />improved with buildings and paving, excluding natural areas that are left undisturbed. <br />. The topsoil requirement would apply to any lot, in any zoning district, being improved <br />with the construction of a principal structure. <br />. Topsoil is defined as "black dirt composed of unconsolidated material, largely <br />undecomposed organic matter that is a suitable foundation for vegetative growth. The <br />composition of the topsoil shall include a well balanced medium consisting of the <br />following: <br /> <br />o A maximum sand/silt content of 20% <br />o A minimum organic content of 35% <br />o A pH between 6 and 7 <br />o Removal of all rocks in excess of 3/4" <br /> <br />Observations: <br /> <br />During adoption of the ordinance staff discussed a way to pre-certify soil as a way to make the <br />change easier for builders and contractors in locating the material, and City staff for inspections <br />and enforcement. During the precertification process staff negotiated with our new geotechnical <br />consultant to test up to 12 samples per year at no cost. Attempts have been made to contact 9 <br />local suppliers requesting a sample of the material they market for potential inclusion on our list <br />distributed to builders and contractors at the time a building permit is issued. <br /> <br />To date 4 suppliers have submitted a total of 7 samples for review, as some suppliers sent in <br />multiple samples from their various sources. 3 other suppliers have stated that they are interested <br />in participating, but to date have not submitted samples. Attached to this case are the results of <br />the samples submitted. As you can see the only sample that meets the current ordinance is from <br />Ramsey Organic, and that was the sample submitted last year as this topic was being discussed <br />and is no longer available. <br /> <br />Staff is looking for direction on how to proceed with this item. A few options to consider are: <br /> <br />. Revise the ordinance slightly <br />. Hold firm on the ordinance, but allow staff some leeway in pre-certifying the soil (a plus <br />or minus factor). <br />. Hold firm on the ordinance and require full compliance by blending material to meet this <br />specification. <br />