Agenda - Planning Commission - 04/27/2023

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1 (12) Encourage the establishment and/or restoration of native landscapes. 2 (B) Goals and objectives. Landscaping for any project is intended to achieve the following goals and 3 objectives: 4 (1) Provide immediate aesthetic enhancements to a development site while also taking into 5 account space and input needs of plantings well into the future; 6 (2) Encourage a healthy environment and landscape in the future; 7 (3) Ensure a diverse mixture of species to protect against future pests and pathogens; 8 (4) Encourage native landscapes in suitable locations with appropriate management plans. 9 (C) Landscaping requirements. 10 (1) Topsoil and ground cover. All exposed ground areas, including boulevards and areas not 11 devoted to off-street parking, driveways, sidewalks, trails, patios or other such impervious 12 improvements, shall be landscaped with turf, shrubs, trees, native grasses and wildflowers 13 and/or other ornamental landscape materials within six months of the date of issuance of the 14 certificate of occupancy. 15 a. Topsoil. In all zoning districts, a minimum of four inches of topsoil, lofir�orl ire c e*E)R 1 T 16 shall be applied across all exposed ground areas to the edge of improved streets,sidewalks, 17 driveways and other impervious surfaces, excluding natural areas that are left undisturbed, 18 whenever a building permit is issued for the construction of a ll�uprincipal building. 19 1. The_ rl h „f te.r�cel 1 i1. at�eti1 ru,o „f,RrmQr_ 6 r chill bin nest �iQc huh f�i it inches. III 20 2. Alternatives to the import of topsoil, such as compost or other soil amendments known 21 to improve soil water holding capacity may be permitted, but only with the prior approval 22 of the city engineer. 23 b. Required ground cover. In all urbanized zoning districts OR 17 all portions of a site not 24 covered by structures, concrete, or asphalt, but excluding natural areas that are left 25 undisturbed, shall be finished with sod and plantings, up to the edge of improved streets and 26 other impervious surfaces in adjacent rights-of way. Any alternative to the sod requirement 27 shall require City Council approval. 28 , _111dona these areas 29vetedt„ c091o.MA1149 tr^►ilc -,nd dri.,o.e, 30 2-. The remainder of a yard may be established with sod, seed, natural ground cover and/or 31 native grasses and wildflowers. 32 (2) Irrigation. If a landscape irrigation system is provided, the system shall be equipped with the 33 following: 34 a. Technology that inhibits or interrupts operation of the irrigation system during periods of 35 sufficient moisture (rain sensor). 36 b. One or more water efficient technologies.This could include,but is not limited to,WaterSense 37 labeled weather-based irrigation controllers, soil moisture sensors, and/or 38 evapotranspiration (ET) sensors. 39 (3) Existing trees. A reasonable attempt shall be made to preserve as many existing trees as is 40 practicable and incorporate them into a development (see division 5, Tree Preservation for 41 inventory and preservation requirements). For each healthy significant tree retained on site 42 and not identified on the city's list of prohibited trees, one overstory tree, or the equivalent 43 canopy square footage, can be deducted from the minimum planting requirements. 44 (4) Planting types. Acceptable planting types shall be determined by the Ramsey Tree Book. The 45 complement of trees fulfilling the landscaping requirements shall not be less than 25 percent 46 deciduous and not less than 25 percent coniferous. Not more than 25 percent of the required 47 plantings shall consist of ornamental or understory trees. Projects should attempt to limit the 48 planting of any one genus to no more than 20 percent of the total plantings. 49 (5) Planting requirements for the R1A, RIB, R1C, and RR districts. Page 61 of 147