Agenda - Planning Commission - 01/26/2023

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improvements, shall be landscaped with turf, shrubs, trees, native grasses and wildflowers and/or other ornamental landscape materials within six 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 dcfincd in scction 117 47 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. b. Required ground cover. In all business zoning districts except R 1, all portions of a site not covered by structures, concrete, or asphalt, but excluding natural areas that are left undisturbed, shall be finished with sod and plantings, up to the edge of improved streets and other impervious surfaces. Any alternative to the sod requirement shall require City Council approval. 1. In the R 1 Residential District, Sod is required in all boulevards, excluding those areas devoted to sidewalks, trails and driveways. 2. The remainder of a yard may be established with sod, seed, natural ground cover and/or native grasses and wildflowers. Noxious weeds do not constitute allowable ground cover. 3. A landscape escrow, in an amount to be determined by the building official, shall be deposited for all required landscaping, including topsoil, sod and trees, which is not established at the time of issuance of a certificate of occupancy. Installation of required landscaping, including topsoil, sod (or seeding where permitted by this Code) and trees, shall be completed within six months of the issuance of the certificate of occupancy, weather permitting. The city may draw upon the escrow to install the required landscaping if said work is not completed within six months of the date of issuance of the certificate of occupancy. When seeded, the turf must be at least 6 inches in height in order to qualify for escrow release. (2) Irrigation. If a landscape irrigation system is provided, the system shall be equipped with the following: a. Technology that inhibits or interrupts operation of the irrigation system during periods of sufficient moisture (rain sensor). b. One or more water efficient technologies. This could include, but is not limited to, WaterSense labeled weather -based irrigation controllers, soil moisture sensors, and/or evapotranspiration (ET) sensors. (3) Existing trees. A reasonable attempt shall be made to preserve as many existing trees as is practicable and incorporate them into a development {sec division 5, Tree Preservation for inventory and preservation requirements). For each healthy significant tree retained on site and not identified on the city's list of prohibited trees, one overstory tree, or the equivalent canopy square footage, can be deducted from the minimum planting requirements. (4) Planting types. Acceptable planting types shall be determined by the Ramsey Tree Book. The complement of trees fulfilling the landscaping requirements shall not be less than 25 percent deciduous and not less than 25 percent coniferous. Not more than 25 percent of the required plantings shall consist of ornamental or understory trees. Projects should attempt to limit the planting of any one genus to no more than 20 percent of the total plantings.