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1 <br />2 <br />3 <br />4 <br />5 <br />6 <br />7 <br />8 <br />9 <br />10 <br />11 <br />12 <br />13 <br />14 <br />15 <br />16 <br />17 <br />18 <br />19 <br />20 <br />21 <br />22 <br />23 <br />24 <br />25 <br />26 <br />27 <br />28 <br />29 <br />30 <br />31 <br />32 <br />33 <br />34 <br />35 <br />36 <br />37 <br />38 <br />39 <br />40 <br />41 <br />42 <br />43 <br />44 <br />45 <br />46 <br />47 <br />48 <br />49 <br />(A) Intent. The City of Ramsey recognizes the advantages that landscaping and screening can provide, <br />including enhanced health, safety, aesthetic, ecological and economic value. The intent of this <br />section is to: <br />(1) Enhance the quality of life within the city; <br />(2) Enhance aesthetic view of development(s) from public roads; <br />(3) Maintain and enhance property values; <br />(5) Improve air quality and buffer against noise, glare, and heat; <br />(6) Reduce the potential for crime and violence; <br />(7) Improve energy efficiency; <br />(8) Add visual interest to blank building facades and soften appearance of hardscaping and <br />buildings with accent plantings; <br />(9) Complement adjacent land uses; <br />(10) Improve the visual quality and continuity within and between developments; <br />(11) Reduce storm water runoff; <br />(12) Encourage the establishment and/or restoration of native landscapes. <br />(B) Goals and objectives. Landscaping for any project is intended to achieve the following goals and <br />objectives: <br />(1) Provide immediate aesthetic enhancements to a development site while also considering <br />space and input needs of plantings well into the future; <br />(2) Encourage a healthy environment and landscape in the future; <br />(3) Ensure a diverse mixture of species to protect against future pests and pathogens; <br />(4) Encourage native landscapes in suitable locations with appropriate management plans. <br />(c) Ramsey Tree Book. The city has developed the Ramsey Tree Book, which includes landscape design <br />and maintenance principles and promotes the use of appropriate plant materials. <br />(-21) The Ramsey Tree Book includes lists of preferred, acceptable, and prohibited <br />desiFab1^ nId u nde-S.INab.l trees; and shrubsTree LBe e IK- SO IhI %aA 11 11 Ir Ing a. ntain an ext loct nf recommended vegetation fer planting The intent <br />s te maintain dive,rs,t y I Ing :I: IhI e- :I: el :I: a 11 t r in in pen, datien within thin eity Thin 1* r..t nf reeenqnqended <br />(D) 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 shall be applied across <br />all exposed ground areas to the edge of improved streets, sidewalks, driveways and <br />other impervious surfaces, excluding natural areas that are left undisturbed, whenever <br />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 <br />known to improve soil water holding capacity may be permitted, but only with <br />the prior approval of the city engineer. <br />Page 85 of 160 <br />