Prior to issuance of a building permit for construction of the first structure on a lot, an applicant shall post an escrow in an amount set by resolution of the City Council to guarantee compliance with the city’s landscaping requirements governed by city ordinance, a list of which is available at City Hall. The city shall release the escrow once the applicant has satisfied ALL requirements concerning landscaping. The city will not make any PARTIAL escrow releases.
(A) Requirements. Prior to landscape escrows being released, the property owner or builder shall:
(1) Provide a form to the City of Jordan stating the property is graded to the approved plans and signed by a registered land surveyor.
(2) Grade yards and setback areas, except driveways and areas used as a garage or accessory building, to final elevations.
(3) Sod or seed yard areas in accordance with § 154.324(B) and landscape with trees that are of an acceptable variety, and shrubs if so desired.
(4) Ensure that the property conforms with all other relevant provisions of this section.
(B) Timeline. Said grading and landscaping shall be completed within 90 days after the certificate of occupancy is issued. If a certificate of occupancy is issued between the months of November and April 15, the 90-day period shall begin to run on April 15.
(C) Noncompliance. The city or its designee shall apply all costs for remedial work or correction of landscaping deficiencies in the permittee’s landscaping measures against the escrow. The city may draw on the escrow if all areas of the site disturbed by construction activities are not restored within the timeline required. The permittee shall also forfeit all escrow amounts held by the city and its designees if work is not completed within the required timeline. After providing 10 days written notice sent via U.S. mail to the property owner, the City of Jordan may complete any work required under this chapter and may draw against the escrow for payment of its costs. If the necessary corrections cost more than the escrowed amount, the City of Jordan may make the corrections and levy the cost of corrections as an assessment against the property pursuant to M.S. Chapter 429 Local Improvements, Special Assessments for a maximum of 1 year at an interest rate determined by Council. A fee as set by resolution of the Council shall be added to, and become part of, all assessments for landscaping improvements to cover city staff time, noticing requirements, and filing fees.
(Ord. 2013-05, passed 5-20-2013; Am. Ord. 2020-01, passed 2-3-2020; Am. Ord. 2021-08, passed 8-2-2021)