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<br />(4) Encourage native landscapes in suitable locations with appropriate management plans.
<br />(C) Landscaping requirements.
<br />(1) Topsoil and ground cover. All exposed ground areas, including boulevards and areas not
<br />devoted to off-street parking, driveways, sidewalks, trails, patios or other such impervious
<br />improvements, shall be landscaped with turf, shrubs, trees, native grasses and wildflowers
<br />and/or other ornamental landscape materials within six months of the date of issuance of the
<br />certificate of occupancy.
<br />a. Topsoil. In all zoning districts, a minimum of four inches of topsoil, A.S. ^'efllnee^' M. S ecAien117-
<br />4, shall be applied across all exposed ground areas to the edge of improved streets, sidewalks,
<br />driveways and other impervious surfaces, excluding natural areas that are left undisturbed,
<br />whenever a building permit is issued for the construction of a principal building.
<br />1. The depth of topsoil at the time of inspection shall be not less than four inches.
<br />2. Alternatives to the import of topsoil, such as compost or other soil amendments known
<br />to improve soil water holding capacity may be permitted, but only with the prior approval
<br />of the city engineer.
<br />b. Required ground cover. In all business zoning districts oUrop+ Q-1, all portions of a site not
<br />covered by structures, concrete, or asphalt, but excluding natural areas that are left
<br />undisturbed, shall be finished with sod and plantings, up to the edge of improved streets and
<br />other impervious surfaces. Any alternative to the sod requirement shall require City Council
<br />approval.
<br />1 in the R 1 Residential ' tSod is required in all boulevards, excluding those areas
<br />devoted to sidewalks, trails and driveways.
<br />2. The remainder of a yard may be established with sod, seed, natural ground cover and/or
<br />native grasses and wildflowers. Noxious weeds do not constitute allowable ground cover.
<br />3. A landscape escrow, in an amount to be determined by the building official, shall be
<br />deposited for all required landscaping, including topsoil, sod and trees, which is not
<br />established at the time of issuance of a certificate of occupancy. Installation of required
<br />landscaping, including topsoil, sod (or seeding where permitted by this Code) and trees,
<br />shall be completed within six months of the issuance of the certificate of occupancy,
<br />weather permitting. The city may draw upon the escrow to install the required
<br />landscaping if said work is not completed within six months of the date of issuance of the
<br />certificate of occupancy. When seeded, the turf must be at least 6 inches in height in
<br />order to qualify for escrow release.
<br />(2) Irrigation. If a landscape irrigation system is provided, the system shall be equipped with the
<br />following:
<br />a. Technology that inhibits or interrupts operation of the irrigation system during periods of
<br />sufficient moisture (rain sensor).
<br />b. One or more water efficient technologies. This could include, but is not limited to, WaterSense
<br />labeled weather -based irrigation controllers, soil moisture sensors, and/or
<br />evapotranspiration (ET) sensors.
<br />(3) Existing trees. A reasonable attempt shall be made to preserve as many existing trees as is
<br />practicable and incorporate them into a development ��-ai15, Tr^^ DroceFvat ;^r ^r
<br />;RventeFy and rr^_s^va ' q ;r^m^For each healthy significant tree retained on site
<br />and not identified on the city's list of prohibited trees, one overstory tree, or the equivalent
<br />canopy square footage, can be deducted from the minimum planting requirements.
<br />(4) Planting types. Acceptable planting types shall be determined by the Ramsey Tree Book. The
<br />complement of trees fulfilling the landscaping requirements shall not be less than 25 percent
<br />deciduous and not less than 25 percent coniferous. Not more than 25 percent of the required
<br />Page 78 of 147
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