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Environmental Policy Board (EPB) 5. 2. <br />Meeting Date: 08/20/2018 <br />By: Chris Anderson, Community <br />Development <br />Information <br />Title: <br />Review Request for an Amendment to the Current Topsoil Standard <br />Purpose/Background: <br />The City has received a written request to consider an amendment to the current topsoil requirement. Presently, the <br />issuance of any Building Permit for a new principal building (residential and commercial/industrial buildings) <br />triggers installation of four (4) inches of topsoil meeting MnDOT's Premium Topsoil Borrow specification, across <br />all disturbed areas not otherwise improved with impervious surfaces (e.g. building, walkways, driveways, etc.). <br />Staff has not prepared any draft ordinance amendment but did want to initiate a discussion with the EPB about what <br />information will be helpful for a future discussion on this topic. <br />Observations/Alternatives: <br />The City's topsoil ordinance was initially implemented in 2009 as a means to help conserve water and reduce <br />demand on the aquifer. There have been multiple iterations of this standard over the last 10 years, but the standard <br />has not been amended or addressed for a handful of years now. Current practice requires the builder and/or <br />homeowner to schedule a topsoil inspection with the Engineering Department prior installation of sod. They are <br />also required to provide copies of the load tickets so that the inspector can confirm the material is from a supplier <br />that has provided sufficient documentation that their topsoil meets the Premium Borrow Topsoil specification. <br />Capstone Homes, one of the larger builders and developers in the community, has contacted City Staff requesting <br />consideration of an amendment to the current topsoil requirement. They identified two negative effects of the <br />current topsoil requirement. First, that the topsoil is doing too good of a job in terms of holding water. They <br />acknowledge that many homeowners are not adjusting their irrigation systems to account for the topsoil and are <br />actually contributing to the problem. Secondly, they identified price as a concern. The required topsoil is more <br />expensive and oftentimes will result in an additional $1,500 to $2,000 more per lot. <br />Staff intends to research what other communities on the Anoka Sand Plain to see what, if any, requirements they <br />have for topsoil. Additionally, we will be reviewing research that the U of MN has been conducting for some time <br />now regarding the most cost-effective means to help conserve water. Finally, we will also try and review the per <br />capita water usage to see if any trends are evident since the topsoil requirement went into effect. Staff is curious <br />what other information the EPB may find helpful as it considers this request at a future meeting. <br />Funding Source: <br />This is being handled as part of Staffs regular duties. <br />Action: <br />Provide feedback to Staff on any additional information that may be helpful to consider a potential amendment to <br />the topsoil requirement. <br />Attachments <br />Letter from Capstone Homes <br />