For purposes of this subchapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
AGRICULTURAL CROP. A crop planted, grown and harvested according to normal farming practices (corn, soybeans, alfalfa, wheat, and the like).
BUFFER OR BUFFER STRIP. A management area used to separate differing landscapes and land uses in order to minimize the impact from adjacent land uses.
LANDSCAPING. The encouragement of selected plants to grow on a site.
MEADOW VEGETATION. Grasses and flowering broad-leaf plants that are native to, or adapted to, the State of Minnesota, and that are commonly found in meadow and prairie plant communities, with the exception of weeds.
NATIVE GRASSES. Grasses that existed in the area prior to European settlement (Beach Grass, Wood Chess Grass, Sand Reed Grass, Wheat Grass, Bluestem Grass, Grama Grass, Brome Grass, Buffalo Grass, Switch Grass, Indian Grass, Wild Rye).
NATIVE PLANTS. Plants that existed in the area prior to European settlement.
NATURAL LANDSCAPING. The use of groups of native plants.
NATURALISTIC LANDSCAPING. The use of native and non-native plants.
NATURAL PRESERVE. A natural undisturbed area designated by the City Council where the land and vegetation appears to not have been graded, landscaped or otherwise disturbed by human or mechanical means in recent time.
NOXIOUS WEEDS. Plants designated by the Commissioner of Agriculture as “noxious weeds” pursuant to M.S. § 18.77, Subdivision 8, as it may be amended from time to time.
PRAIRIE. A plant community dominated by a diversity of native perennial herbaceous plants and grasses.
TEMPORARY EROSION CONTROL GRASSES. Grasses (winter wheat, oats, annual rye or regreen) that are used as single growing season cover or nurse crops to assist in the establishment of permanent vegetation.
TRANSITIONAL PERIOD. The amount of time needed to change from one type of landscaping to another. A transitional period must not extend beyond three growing seasons for any specific area.
WEEDS. All noxious weeds and any undesirable or troublesome plant that is horticulturally out of place, especially plants that grow profusely where they are not wanted. For the purposes of this chapter, Taraxacum spp (common dandelion) is not considered to be a weed.
WETLANDS. Lands that are transitional between terrestrial and aquatic systems where the water table is near the surface. The boundary of wetlands for purposes of this subchapter shall be determined according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual (1987).
(Ord. 255, passed 3-19-12)