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1 (A) Intent. The City of Ramsey recognizes the advantages that landscaping and screening can provide, <br /> 2 including enhanced health, safety, aesthetic, ecological and economic value. The intent of this <br /> 3 section is to: <br /> 4 (1) Enhance the quality of life within the city; <br /> 5 (2) Enhance aesthetic view of development(s)from public roads; <br /> 6 (3) Maintain and enhance property values; <br /> 8 (5) Improve air quality and buffer against noise,glare, and heat; <br /> 9 (6) Reduce the potential for crime and violence; <br /> 10 (7) Improve energy efficiency; <br /> 11 (8) Add visual interest to blank building facades and soften appearance of hardscaping and <br /> 12 buildings with accent plantings; <br /> 13 (9) Complement adjacent land uses; <br /> 14 (10) Improve the visual quality and continuity within and between developments; <br /> 15 (11) Reduce storm water runoff; <br /> 16 (12) Encourage the establishment and/or restoration of native landscapes. <br /> 17 (B) Goals and objectives. Landscaping for any project is intended to achieve the following goals and <br /> 18 objectives: <br /> 19 (1) Provide immediate aesthetic enhancements to a development site while also considering <br /> 20 space and input needs of plantings well into the future; <br /> 21 (2) Encourage a healthy environment and landscape in the future; <br /> 22 (3) Ensure a diverse mixture of species to protect against future pests and pathogens; <br /> 23 (4) Encourage native landscapes in suitable locations with appropriate management plans. <br /> 24 (c) Ramsey Tree Book.The city has developed the Ramsey Tree Book,which includes landscape design <br /> 25 and maintenance principles and promotes the use of appropriate plant materials. <br /> 26 <br /> 27 , <br /> 28 <br /> 29 . <br /> 30 (-21) The Ramsey Tree Book includes lists of preferred, acceptable, and prohibited <br /> 31 desiFab1^ nId uncle.-S.I Nawe trees;and shrubs, <br /> 32 <br /> 33 a s te maintain dive,rs,t y I Ing :I:IhI e-:I:el:I:a 11 t r pen,datien within thin eity Thin 1*ct nf recommended <br /> 34 <br /> 35 thinrnr,�1:4 f the eeni ,�,, notw fnr_tnrt_ <br /> 36 (D) Landscaping requirements. <br /> 37 (1) Topsoil and ground cover. All exposed ground areas, including boulevards and areas not <br /> 38 devoted to off-street parking, driveways, sidewalks, trails, patios or other such impervious <br /> 39 improvements, shall be landscaped with turf, shrubs, trees, native grasses and wildflowers <br /> 40 and/or other ornamental landscape materials within six months of the date of issuance of the <br /> 41 certificate of occupancy. <br /> 42 a. Topsoil. In all zoning districts,a minimum of four inches of topsoil shall be applied across <br /> 43 all exposed ground areas to the edge of improved streets, sidewalks, driveways and <br /> 44 other impervious surfaces, excluding natural areas that are left undisturbed,whenever <br /> 45 a building permit is issued for the construction of a principal building. <br /> 46 1. The depth of topsoil at the time of inspection shall be not less than four inches. <br /> 47 2. Alternatives to the import of topsoil, such as compost or other soil amendments <br /> 48 known to improve soil water holding capacity may be permitted, but only with <br /> 49 the prior approval of the city engineer. <br /> Page 85 of 160 <br />