A. Minimum Quantities. All proposed development activities, including site modifications or use intensifications, shall be subject to landscaping improvements. The following table illustrates requirements within each zoning district:
District | Overstory Trees |
District | Overstory Trees | |
RR | 2 trees/unit/street frontage
1 | |
MU-L | 4 trees or 1/6000 sq. ft. site area
4 | |
MU-M | 2 trees/unit/open space exposure
2 3 | (attached and detached single family) |
MU-H | 2 trees/unit/open space exposure
2 3 | (attached and detached single family) |
MU-M | 4 trees or 1/6000 sq. ft. site area
4 | (multiple family housing) |
MU-H | 4 trees or 1/6000 sq. ft. site area
4 | (multiple family housing) |
CC | 4 trees or 1/6000 sq. ft. site area
4 | |
GC | 4 trees or 1/6000 sq. ft. site area
4 | |
HC | 4 trees or 1/6000 sq. ft. site area
4 | |
GB | 4 trees or 1/6000 sq. ft. site area
4 | |
LI | 4 trees or 1/6000 sq. ft. site area
4 | |
C/I | 4 trees or 1/6000 sq. ft. site area
4 | |
C/I-Light
|
4 trees or 1/6000 sq. ft. site area
4 | |
1
Trees shall be deciduous (shade or ornamental) and planted at the boulevard, except on cul de sacs where one (1) of the required trees may be planted off the boulevard but in the front yard area. 2
Trees shall be deciduous (shade or ornamental). Unit exposures with street frontage shall be planted at the boulevard. 3
Tree spacing must include trees at the boulevard at minimum fifty (50) feet intervals. 4
The required number of trees is based upon a minimum of four (4) trees or one (1) tree per six thousand (6,000) square feet of site areas (net of wetlands, surface waters and existing road easements), whichever is greater. Tree spacing must include trees at the boulevard at minimum fifty (50) feet intervals. | ||
B. Foundation Plantings. Foundation plantings (perennial flowers, deciduous shrubs, and coniferous shrubs) are encouraged in all commercial and industrial zoning districts. Suggested locations include building entrances, sign bases, berms and other similar visible locations.
C. Minimum Standards.
1. Overstory Trees
a. Deciduous Trees: Two-and-a-half (2-1/2) inch caliper planting size, balled, and burlapped.
b. Coniferous Trees: Six (6) feet in height planting size, balled, and burlapped.
2. Foundation Plantings. Coniferous and deciduous shrubs should be planted at a minimum of one-third (1/3) of the mature spread and height of a typical growth habits.
3. Boulevard Trees. All boulevard trees shall be hardwood shade trees or flowering trees.
4. Overstory Mix. When multiple quantities of overstory trees are required, at least fifty percent (50%) of the trees required shall be deciduous.
5. Hardiness. All landscape materials proposed shall be consistent with Minnesota hardiness zones, whether indigenous or foreign. Plant species must also be tolerant to snow storage, exposure to salt and sun scald in parking areas.
6. Diversity. In any development, in which at least eight (8) overstory trees are required, at least three (3) varieties of plantings are required.
7. Warranty. All required landscape materials shall be warranted for growth a minimum of two (2) years after planting.
D. Exceptions. In larger sites or in sites with phased development plans, the Planning Commission may recommend and the City Council may alter, at its sole discretion, the minimum quantity requirements and minimum standards in this Section.
E. Clear Zones. No landscaping over two (2) feet in height shall be planted or maintained in a “sight triangle” at the intersection of two public streets. Such a clear zone is a triangle measured thirty (30) feet from the intersection of two rights-of-way along each right-of-way.
[§ 7A-821, added by Ord. No. 03-03, effective June 19, 2003, § 7A-820, formerly 7A-821 amended (renumbered) by Ord. No. 04-04A, effective June 3, 2004, amended by Ord. No. 07-02, effective March 1, 2007, amended by Ord. No. 13-01, effective January 31, 2013; amended by Ord. No. 21-09, effective December 8, 2021; amended by Ord. No. 23-01, effective May 4, 2023.]