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<br />CASE # 3 <br /> <br />CONSIDER AMENDMENT TO CHAPTER 9 OF CITY C9DE <br />RELATED TO THE DEFINITION OF TOPSOIL <br />By: Tim Himmer, City Engineer <br /> <br />Background: <br /> <br />As a means of water conservation, the City adopted a new topsoil ordinance on April 28, 20Q9. <br />The existing ordinance took effect on June 8, 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 defmed 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 />o A maximum sand/silt content of20% <br />o A minimum organic content of 35% <br />o A pH between 6 and 7 <br />o Removal of all rocks in excess 00/4" <br /> <br />Observations: <br /> <br />During adoption of the topsoil ordinance, Staff discussed an approach to pre-certify soil as a way <br />to make the change easier for builders and contractors in locating the material, as well as for <br />inspections and enforcement by City staff. During the pre-certification process, Staff negotiated <br />with our new geotechnical consultant to test up to twelve (12) samples per year at rio cost. <br /> <br />Attempts have been made to contact nine (9) local suppliers requesting a sample of the material <br />they market for potential inclusion on our list distributed to builders and contractors at the time a <br />building permit is issued. To date, four (4) suppliers have submitted a total of seven (7) samPles <br />for review,. as some suppliers sent in multiple samples from their various sources. Three (3) <br />other suppliers have stated that they are interested in participating, but have yet to submit <br />samples. <br /> <br />Attached to this case are the results of the samples submitted. Only one sample meets the cutrent <br />definition of topsoil; however, that sample was submitted last year and is n,o longer available. <br />Suppliers are having a difficult time meeting the minimum required organic content as currently <br />defined. <br /> <br />This concern: was discussed at the Public Works Committee on July21, 2009. Staffwas seeking <br />direction regarding the lack of soil samples that met the current definition of topsoiL The <br />options presented for consideration included: <br />. Revise the ordinance to reduce the minimum required organic matter slightly. <br /> <br />31 <br />