Agenda - Planning Commission - 04/08/2021

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Sec. 117-348 (i) shall be repealed entirely. Section 117-364 (Landscaping) shall be added to read as follows: (a)!Intent. The City of Ramsey recognizes the advantages that landscaping and screening can provide, including enhanced health, safety, aesthetic, ecological and economic value. The intent of this section is to: (1)!Enhance the quality of life within the city; (2)!Enhance aesthetic view of development(s) from public roads; (3)!Maintain and enhance property values; (4)!Aid in both physical and mental human health; (5)!Improve air quality and buffer against noise, glare, and heat; (6)!Reduce the potential for crime and violence; (7)!Improve energy efficiency; (8)!Add visual interest to blank building facades and soften appearance of hardscaping and buildings with accent plantings; (9)!Complement adjacent land uses; (10)!Improve the visual quality and continuity within and between developments; (11)!Reduce storm water runoff; (12)!Encourage the establishment and/or restoration of native landscapes. (b)!Goals and Objectives. Landscaping for any project is intended to achieve the following goals and objectives: (1)!Provide immediate aesthetic enhancements to a development site while also taking into account space and input needs of plantings well into the future; (2)!Encourage a healthy environment and landscape in the future; (3)!Ensure a diverse mixture of species to protect against future pests and pathogens. (4)!Encourage native landscapes in suitable locations with appropriate management plans. (c)!Landscaping Requirements. (1)!Topsoil and Ground Cover. All exposed ground areas, including boulevards and areas not devoted to off-street parking, driveways, sidewalks, trails, patios or other such impervious improvements, shall be landscaped with turf, shrubs, trees, native grasses and wildflowers and/or other ornamental landscape materials within six (6) months of the date of issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy. a.!Topsoil. In all zoning districts, a minimum of four inches of topsoil, as defined in Section 117-1, shall be applied across all exposed ground areas to the edge of improved streets, sidewalks, driveways and other impervious surfaces, excluding natural areas that are left undisturbed, whenever a building permit is issued for the construction of a principal building. 1.!The depth of topsoil at the time of inspection shall be not less than four inches. 2.!Alternatives to the import of topsoil, such as compost or other soil amendments known to improve soil water holding capacity may be permitted, but only with the prior approval of the City Engineer.