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All developed uses shall provide a landscaped yard, including grass, decorative stones, or shrubs and trees, along all streets. This yard shall be kept clear of all structures, storage, and off-street parking.
(A) Except for driveways, the yard shall extend along the entire frontage of the lot, and along both streets in the case of a corner lot: such yard shall have a depth of at least 10 feet. Unless expressly permitted, no landscape material, other than grass, shall be placed within drainage or utility easements. Rock or riprap may be allowed upon review and approval by the City Council provided the proposed material does not interfere with drainage or utilities.
(B) Maintenance. Maintenance shall be the responsibility of the individual property owner. All structures and areas requiring landscaping and fences shall be maintained so as not to be unsightly or present harmful health or safety conditions. This shall include the following for landscaping and plantings in yard areas:
(1) Maintain a healthy, pest free condition.
(2) Remove dead, diseased or dangerous trees or shrubs or parts thereof in accordance with requirements of § 90.051.
(3) Provide appropriate pruning per applicable forestry or horticultural best practices.
(4) Mowing and/or removal of noxious weeds and grasses according to the requirements of § 90.028.
(5) Establishing and sustaining sufficient groundcover to prevent erosion and control sediment runoff.
(6) Remove trash and other debris.
(7) Watering and other maintenance to ensure plant growth and survival, except when prohibited by citywide watering ban.
(C) Required yards and setback areas, except driveways and areas used as a garage or accessory building, shall be graded to final elevations and sodded or seeded in accordance with § 154.324(B) and landscaped with trees and shrubs.
(D) Tree and woodland preservation shall be accomplished in accordance with the tree and woodland requirements of § 153.11(M).
(Ord. 2013-05, passed 5-20-2013; Am. Ord. 2021-08, passed 8-2-2021)
(A) Tree requirements. A minimum of 1 deciduous, disease-free, 2-inch caliper tree, as measured 6 inches off the ground shall be planted within the front yard setback area. The clump size equivalent to a 2-inch caliper tree shall be at least 8 feet tall. The tree must be planted within the property lines and in a location as not to interfere with sight line visibility at maturity. Please ask to see the City of Jordan’s list of acceptable varieties, available at City Hall.
(B) Landscaping yard areas. All yard areas shall be landscaped with turf grass, shrubs, trees or an approved ornamental groundcover. Ornamental groundcover may not exceed 49% of the total front yard area, including easements and rights-of-way.
(C) Boulevards and easement areas.
(1) Retaining walls shall not be located within a drainage, access, or utility easement or boulevard.
(2) (a) To ensure satisfactory performance of boulevards and drainage, access, and utility easement areas, any groundcover or planting other than turf grass located in a boulevard or easement area must receive approval by the City Engineer and Public Works Director. If in an easement area, an easement agreement between the property owner and city must be completed.
(b) Appeals to a decision regarding groundcovers and/or plantings may be made subject to the requirements of § 31.22.
(3) The city may require the owner of any non-turf grass vegetation or ornamental landscaping material, within a drainage and utility easement or a right-of-way of a city street to remove said material from the public easement on the property or public right-of-way abutting the property at no expense to the city.
(4) The city will not be responsible for damage to any turf grass, ornamental plantings, native plantings, or ornamental groundcover resulting from public works improvements or snow removal activities within public rights-of-way or easements.
(D) Traffic visibility. No wall, fence, structure, tree, shrub, vegetation or other obstruction shall be permitted in any yard or setback which poses a danger to traffic by obscuring the view from any street or roadway. Visibility from any street or roadway shall be unobstructed within the triangle described as beginning at the intersection of the projected curb property lines of 2 intersecting streets, thence 30 feet along 1 curb, thence diagonally to a point 30 feet from the point of beginning of the other curb line, thence to the point of beginning.
(Ord. 2013-05, passed 5-20-2013; Am. Ord. 2020-01, passed 2-3-2020; Am. Ord. 2021-08, passed 8-2-2021)
(A) Tree requirements. A minimum of 2 deciduous, disease-free, 2-inch caliper tree, as measured 6 inches off the ground shall be planted within the front yard setback area. The clump size equivalent to a 2-inch caliper tree shall be at least 8 feet tall. The tree must be planted within the property lines and in a location as not to interfere with sight line visibility at maturity. Tree species planted must be from the current list of acceptable tree species on file at City Hall.
(B) Landscaping coverage.
(1) Commercial and industrial properties shall have diversified landscape plantings in addition to the landscaping required in setback areas for free-standing, detached structures. All landscaped areas are to be developed with live deciduous and coniferous plants, trees and shrubs which provide a variety of color, textures, heights, and forms consistent with the needs of the site and other elements of the plan. All trees are to be according to the above tree requirements. The landscaped areas may contain some stone, wood, patio blocks, sculpture, and other appropriate ornamental features.
(2) The following zoning classifications will have the following percentage of the lot landscaped.
Neighborhood Business District: ≥ 2%
Central Business District: ≥ 2%
Highway Commercial: ≥ 5%
Industrial: ≥ 2%
(C) Drainage and utility easements. Plantings and retaining walls shall not be located within a drainage, access or utility easement. The city or utility companies may clear any plantings or retaining walls positioned in violation of the subdivision. The city is not liable for any damage to plantings or retaining walls constructed within the city’s easement.
(D) Traffic visibility. No wall, fence, structure, tree, shrub, vegetation or other obstruction shall be permitted in any yard or setback which poses a danger to traffic by obscuring the view from any street or roadway. Visibility from any street or roadway shall be unobstructed within the triangle described as beginning at the intersection of the projected property lines of 2 intersecting streets, thence 30 feet along 1 curb, thence diagonally to a point 30 feet from the point of beginning of the other curb line, thence to the point of beginning.
(Ord. 2013-05, passed 5-20-2013; Am. Ord. 2020-01, passed 2-3-2020; Am. Ord. 2021-08, passed 8-2-2021)
(A) Findings and purpose.
(1) Findings. The city finds that traditional turf grass lawns require large amounts of water, fertilizers and chemical pest controls to maintain. Using large amounts of water to maintain lawns threatens the city’s groundwater supply while fertilizers and chemical pest controls pollute our lakes, rivers and streams. Alternative landscape techniques have significant advantages over turf grass, specifically:
(a) Native vegetation requires less moisture, fertilizers, and pesticides and places less stress on the public’s water resources. Native vegetation also provides food and habitat to wildlife.
(b) Rain gardens filter and infiltrate stormwater, thereby protecting surface water from polluted runoff and recharging groundwater resources.
(c) Producing foods locally:
1. Increases local food security;
2. Addresses global warming by reducing fossil fuel use in transportation of foods; and
3. Addresses the obesity epidemic by insuring access to healthy, fresh foods.
(2) Purpose. The purpose of this section is to prohibit the uncontrolled growth of vegetation, while encouraging the planting and maintenance of native vegetation, edible landscapes, and rain gardens. There are reasonable expectations regarding the proper maintenance of vegetation on any lot or parcel of land. Providing standards regarding the maintenance of vegetation and encouraging diverse landscaping meets the following goals of the city’s comprehensive plan:
(a) Create and maintain attractive and safe neighborhoods;
(b) Restore the city’s native vegetation;
(c) Encourage the local food production system; and
(d) Protect and improve the city’s surface waters through increasing on-site infiltration in existing developed areas.
(B) Applicability. This section applies to lots in residential zoning districts or residential lots in mixed use districts, commercial and industrial districts. A conditional use permit shall be required for native grass and forbs sites or rain gardens which are over ½ acre in size, in all districts.
(C) Landscape regulations.
(1) Plants allowed. Ornamental plants; native forbs and grasses; or vegetable and fruit bearing plants are allowed in the landscape area, but they must be planted pursuant to a design. The design must either be created by a professional landscape designer or be consistent with Model Community Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) standards.
(2) Restoration and establishment of native plant communities. Restoration or establishment of native plant communities is allowed in the back yard. Restoration projects should be consistent with the Minnesota DNR’s brochure, How to Use Native Plants for Landscaping and Restoration in Minnesota.
(3) Landscape area and setbacks. Ornamental plants; native forbs and grasses shall be allowed only in rear and side yards with a minimum of 5 foot setback from the property line. Native forbs and grasses shall not be planted adjacent to a public roadway. Native forbs and plantings shall be prohibited in easements, boulevards, and within the site triangle. Planting shall not impede drainage. The setback may be reduced to 0 feet if:
(a) A fence is installed adjoining the landscape area; or
(b) The planted area abuts:
1. A restored area on any adjoining lot;
2. A public park or open space; or
3. A wetland, pond, lake, stream, or natural area; or
(c) The landscape area is located on a slope equal to or greater than 3 feet horizontal to 1 foot vertical (3:1).
(4) Composition of setback area. The setback area required by division (D)(3) of this section shall be composed of rock, gravel, wood chips, regularly mowed turf grass or a groundcover below 8 inches in height.
(5) Locations encouraged. Native plantings and forbs are encouraged around ponds, wetlands and on slopes. Native plantings are also encouraged on landscape areas with slopes equal to or greater than 3 feet horizontal to 1 foot vertical (3:1).
(D) Rain gardens.
(1) Rain garden location. Rain gardens are allowed in side and back yards, but must conform with the setback requirements specified in divisions (D)(3) and (D)(4).
(2) Construction. Rain gardens should be constructed consistent with the document Rain Gardens: A How-to Manual for Homeowners, available from the Minnesota DNR.
(E) Maintenance of landscaping. The owner, agent, or lessee of any real property located within the city must provide regular weeding, pruning, and other maintenance of all plantings located on said private property. Plant materials which exhibit evidence of pests, disease, or damage shall be appropriately treated, and dead plants shall be removed or replaced. All native plantings must be maintained either by removing weeds, mowing, or city approved and permitted burning.
(F) Violation.
(1) Unattended vegetation. Every owner and responsible party who fails to keep private property clear of unattended vegetation is in violation of this section and subject to the remedies and enforcement specified herein.
(2) Prohibited vegetation. Every owner and responsible party is in violation of this section and subject to the remedies and enforcement specified herein if they fail to keep their private property clear of vegetation that:
(a) Presents a fire hazard;
(b) Attracts or harbors disease vectors;
(c) Obstructs sight lines for the traveling public on streets or alleys; or
(d) Includes noxious weeds or secondary noxious weed as identified by the State Commissioner of Agriculture pursuant to M.S. § 18.171, subd.5.
(G) Non-conforming landscape areas. Any planned landscape area or restoration area which lawfully existed prior to the effective date of this section may continue to exist, but shall comply with divisions (F) and (G) of this section. Any expansion or addition to a non-conforming planned landscaped area or restoration area shall comply with all provisions of this section.
(Ord. 2015-13, passed 12-7-2015; Am. Ord. 2021-08, passed 8-2-2021)
STORM WATER MANAGEMENT
(A) Purpose. The purpose of this subchapter is to promote, preserve and enhance the natural resources within the city and protect them from adverse effects occasioned by poorly sited development or incompatible activities by regulating land disturbing or development activities that would have an adverse and potentially irreversible impact on water quality and unique and fragile environmentally sensitive land; by minimizing conflicts and encouraging compatibility between land disturbing and development activities and water quality and environmentally sensitive lands; and by requiring detailed review standards and procedures for land disturbing or development activities proposed for such areas, thereby achieving a balance between urban growth and development and protection of water quality and natural areas.
(B) Applicability. Every applicant as defined herein must submit a storm water management plan to the City Administrator or designee. No building permit involving land disturbing activities, including but not limited to construction of new residential and/or commercial structures, and no preliminary plat for the subdivision of land within the city, and no permit to allow land disturbing activities, including but not limited to mining, excavation, filling and grading, shall be issued until approval of the storm water management plan or a waiver of the approval requirement has been obtained in strict conformance with the provisions of this subchapter. The lawn fertilizer regulations provisions of this subchapter apply to all land, public or private, located within the city. The provisions of this subchapter shall apply to all properties within the city for which mining or excavation conditional use permits have been issued; said applicability shall become effective on the next annual review date of a mining or excavation conditional use permit following the effective date of this subchapter.
(C) Exemptions. The provisions of this subchapter do not apply to:
(1) Any part of a subdivision if a plat for the subdivision has been approved by the Council on or before the effective date of this subchapter;
(2) Any land disturbing activity for which plans have been approved by the watershed management organization within 6 months prior to the effective date of this subchapter;
(3) A lot for which a building permit has been approved on or before the effective date of this subchapter;
(4) Installation of fence, sign, telephone, and electric poles and other kinds of posts or poles; or
(5) Emergency work to protect life, limb, or property.
(Ord. 2013-05, passed 5-20-2013)
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