7.6. SR 10-20-2014 Ells -Wft
_ Request for Action
River
To Item Number
Mayor and City Council 7.6
Agenda Section Meeting Date Prepared by
Public Hearinj October 20,2014 Zack Carlton,Planner I
Item Description Reviewed by
Ordinance Amendment Modifying Landscaping Jeremy Barnhart,Deputy Director CODD
Requirements Reviewed by
Cal Portner, City Administrator
Action Requested
Adopt, by motion,the ordinance amendment modifying the city's landscape requirements.
Background/Discussion
Case No. OA 14-05
In the past few years, staff has received a number of calls regarding the requirements for landscaping on
new residential properties. The current ordinances regulating landscaping on single-family lots are
difficult to locate and vague in their requirements. With the returning housing market there is a need to
amend and improve these requirements for consistency with goals, readability,and clarity.
The proposed amendment adds a requirement of two trees in the front yard for new single-family homes.
One tree must be located in the boulevard and one must be located in the front yard area.Additionally,in
an effort to increase the diversity and health of our urban forest the amendment includes an approved
tree species list. New trees must be selected from the University of Minnesota's list of recommended
trees for our region.
The ordinance regulating ground covering is proposed to be expanded to include landscaping and mulch
as permitted ground cover.
Finally, Section 30-934 was rearranged for clarity and readability. Modification of the section ensures all
development within the city remains consistent and supports the city's beautification goals.
Financial Impact
None
Attachments
• Planning Commission Staff Report dated September 23, 2014
• Ordinance Amendment
P O w E 8 E U A Y
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— Request for Action
To Item Number
Planning Commission 15.4
Agenda Section Meeting Date Prepared by
Planning Items September 23, 2014 Zack Carlton,Planner I
Item Description Reviewed by
Ordinance Amendment Modi�ying Landscapmig Jeremy Barnhart, Deputy Director CODD
Requirements Reviewed by
Public Hearing, Case No. OA 14-05
Action Requested
Recommend,by motion,approval of the ordinance amendment modifying the city's landscaping
ocqoireo«cota.
Background/Discussion
T)o i the past two aomozczs staff has received u number of calls regarding the requirements for
landscaping on new residential properties. The current ordinances regulating landscaping on single-family
lots are difficult to locate and vague 6z their requirements. With the returrimig housing market there ie u
need to amend and improve these re i cooeuta for readability and clarity.
Trees
Iu support o[city beautification goals, staff occornmcodurequiring two trees iu the front yard of each new
single-family rcaiJcucc. One tree will 6c located in the boulevard area and be planted by the
6crcloper/boildccwhcu the public improvements are constructed.The second tree will bu the
homeowners' responsibility and must be planted between the house and the property line wid-iin 90 days
of issuance of a certificate of occupancy (CO). The time lin-Lit will be extended to July 1 when a CO is
issued October 1 m]^�April 1. I�c located d6 boulevard �6 deciduous
zauoc c��ccn cto �z � � � ce cu uo � u�om ru orerstozy
variety. ]6 ooccou dfrou tyucd Urccx�b cau d c�deciduous or conifero
os.
To support u diverse, healthy and sustainable urban forest staff iudeveloping u Est of approved trees. Dy
codifying a list of approved trees the potential risk from unhealthy and invasive species is reduced. The
Est of trees will be generated from University of Minnesota's Extension Service's recommended trees for
southeast Minnesota 6Uac6cJA.
Ground "
By ordinance, all exposed{�onoo must b landscaped with grass,plants, ozo t6 cr_vinv material. Stu[
suggests that in areas prone to erosion be stabilized with sod or approved equal. In addition to living
materials, rock and naulch may be substituted for sod in landscaped planting beds and along the perimeter
of the building.
Landscape Requireirignts 111 All Districts
Staff recommends expanding section 30-934 (b) to include all uses iu all districts. The current ordinance
only applies to multifamily districts and non-residential oaco iu residential districts. zxpuu eiouz of the
Template Updated 4//4
[NATURE
requirements ensures that all development xvithin the city remains consistent and supports the city='s
beautification goals.
Financial Impact
None
Attachments
® University- of Minnesota recommended tree lists
N:\llcpartments\(:ommunity I)cvclopmcnt\Planning;\Case 1`i1es\OA\OA 14-06 Landscaping\OA 14-06 Rcsidentrtllmndscaping
Rcquiremcnts.docs
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City of
EElk
River
Ordinance 14 -
An Ordinance Amending Section, 30-934, entitled "Landscaping" of the City of Elk
River, Minnesota, City Code to Modify Landscaping Requirements in all Zoning
Districts.
The City Council of the City of Elk River does hereby ordain as follows:
SECTION 1.That§ 30-934 (a)(1) of the City of Elk River Code of Ordinances shall be amended
to read as follows:
(a) General requirements. The following general requirements are applicable to all districts:
(1) All exposed ground areas surrounding or within a principal or accessory use, including
street boulevards, which are not devoted to drives, sidewalks, patios, or other such uses
shall be landscaped with grass, shrubs, trees, er other living ornamental landscape
materials, mulch_ or rock.
SECTION 2.That§ 30-934 (b) — (f) of the City of Elk River Code of Ordinances shall be
amended to read as follows:
(b) All honing distfias except per-miffed single-
-family uses in all distzzcts. Landscaping requirements for ffitAt�all zoning districts exce t
permitted single-family uses in all districts fttid ttettfesideti6R4 ttses itt fesi e~~ft' —dist-=iefs are as
follows:
(1) Applicability of requirements. All properties shall comply with the requirements of this
subdivision when new development or expansions are to occur on these properties, except
for single-family dwelling units. .
(2) Landscape plan. Landscape plans shall be prepared by a landscape architect or other qualified
individual acceptable to the city. Landscape plans shall be drawn to a scale of not less than
one inch equals 50 feet and shall include the following information:
a. The name and address of the property owner and/or developer.
b. The name of the project.
c. The name of the preparer of the plan.
d. The date of plan preparation.
e. Boundary lines of the property with accurate dimensions, and note with scale and
north arrow.
f. The locations of existing and proposed buildings,parking lots,public roads, easements
and other improvements.
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g. The location, approximate size and common name of existing trees.
h. A planting schedule containing:
1. Symbols.
2. Quantities.
3. Common names and botanical names.
4. Size of plant materials.
5. Root condition specifications.
6. Special planting instructions.
i. Planting details illustrating proposed locations of all new plant material, including
proposed walls, fences, planters, landscaped islands, and other landscaping-related
improvements.
J. Details of restoration of disturbed areas,including areas to be sodded and seeded.
k. Location of existing wetlands.
(3) Minimum requirements. All open areas of a lot which are not used and improved for required
parking areas, drives or storage shall be landscaped with a combination of overstory trees,
ornamental trees, coniferous trees, shrubs, flowers, and turf or ground cover materials. The
number of trees on the lot, tract, or parcel shall not be less than three plus the perimeter of
the described area as measured in feet divided by 40.
a. Ovemstog trees. Fifty percent of the required trees shall be overstory trees.
b. Ornamental trees. Twenty-five percent of the required trees shall be ornamental trees.
C. Coniferous trees. Twenty-five percent of the required trees shall be coniferous trees.
d. Additional landscaping. In order to accomplish an adequate buffer or screening,
additional landscaping over and above the required amount may be required by the
city.
.
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ffieef a
ge. Credits.
1. For oversi#ng trees. The total number of required overstory trees may be reduced by
one tree for each new deciduous tree measuring 4'/2 inches or more in diameter,
or each new coniferous tree measuring ten feet or more in height, which is
planted on the lot or tract.
2. For existing trees. The total number of required new trees may be offset by the
retention of existing trees on the lot provided that such trees satisfy the
requirements of this section as to size and species. A sliding scale shall be used to
determine the amount of credit for existing trees. Existing trees between four
inches in diameter and less than eight inches in diameter will receive credit for
one tree. Existing trees eight inches in diameter or greater will receive credit for
two trees.
3. For native grasses and plant communities. The total number of required trees may be
offset by the provision of native grasses and wildflowers. Planting or preservation
of native planting communities will receive credit for one tree per 500 square feet
of native grass area. Credits may not exceed 50 percent of the total requirements.
13f. Reserved.
}g. Maintenance. The property owner of the lot upon which required landscaping or
screening is located shall maintain all materials in a sightly and healthy growing
condition. Plant material removed due to damage, disease, or death shall be replaced.
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(c) Permitted singlet amily uses in all dist?ictS. Landscaping requirements for permitted single-family uses
in all districts are as follows:
(1) A41)licab4a of requirements. All permitted single-family properties shall comply with the
requirements of this subdivision when new development or expansions are to occur on
these properties.
(2) Minimum requirements. All open areas of a lot which are not used and improved shall be
landscaped with a combination of overstoQ: trees, ornamental trees, coniferous trees,
shrubs, flowers, and turf or permitted ground cover materials. The minimum number of
trees in the front yard is two.
a. Location ofreguired-fiont yard trees
1. One tree must be located in the boulevard area and shall be an overstorytY42e tree.
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2. A second tree shall be located in the front yard area. Overstory, evergreen_ and
ornamental tree species are permitted.
d S ecies
(1) All required trees shall be of species which are classified as overstory, ornamental, and
coniferous trees by the American Nurseryman's Association.
(2) Not more than 50 percent of the required number of overstory or ornamental trees shall
be composed of one species.
(3) All required trees shall be selected from the University of Minnesota Extension Service's
Est of recommended trees for Southeast innesota, or as approved bar the ci ,r s planning
department.
(e) Minimum size and root condition of trees. Minimum size and root condition of required trees shall be
as follows:
(1) Overstory trees shall be two inches in diameter as measured six inches above the ground,
and trees must be balled and burlapped.
(2) Ornamental trees shall be P/2 inches in diameter as measured six inches above the ground,
and trees must be balled and burlapped.
(3) Coniferous trees shall be six feet in height_ and trees must be balled and burlappd.
(fl Placement of Nant mateizals.
(1) All required landscaping shall be located on the lot occupied by the use, building facility,
or structures. No landscaping shall be located within any public right-of-way unless
approved by the city:.
(2) Plant materials shall be located to provide reasonable access to all utilities.
(3) At all intersections, sight visibility triangles shall be kept clear of landscape materials that
would obstruct the sight lines of motorists at intersecting streets.
(eg) Installation. All landscape improvements required by this subsection shall be installed by the
owner no later than one year after the issuance of a building permit for the subject property.
Replacement of any dead trees, shrubs,ground covers and sodding shall be responsibility of the
property owner.
(dh)Inspection. Twelve months after the date of issuance of a building permit, the city may conduct a
field inspection of the subject site to assure compliance with the requirements of this
subdivision and implementation of the approved landscape plan.
(ei) Exceptions and adjustments. Where a strict application of this subsection is not possible due to
unique topographic landform,irregular lot shape or historic features worthy of preservation,the
applicant may present an alternative landscape and screening plan to the city for alternate
approval.
(€1) Performanceguarantee. If required landscape improvements have not been completed at the time a
certificate is requested for occupancy of a property, a financial guarantee to ensure completion
of the improvements shall be supplied prior to issuance of the certificate of occupancy. The
financial guarantee shall be in an amount equal to approximately 100 percent of the value of the
uncompleted landscape improvements, and shall be released one year after completion of the
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required landscape improvements following written request from the property owner.
Developers who have posted a previous financial guarantee in connection with the installation
of public improvements shall not be required to post a separate guarantee, but the financial
guarantee shall remain in place in an amount equal to approximately 100 percent of the value of
uncompleted landscape improvements until all required landscape improvements are
completed.
SECTION 3.That this ordinance shall take effect upon adoption and be published as provided by
law.
Passed and adopted by the City Council of the City of Elk River this 20th day of October, 2014.
John J. Dietz,Mayor
ATTEST:
Tina Allard, City Clerk
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