Subd. 1. Purpose. The City recognizes landscaping and screening for its aesthetic value and as a multi-purpose functional element of a site. The requirements in this section define a minimum standard for landscaping and screening, and promote the following objectives:

A.

Promote a high standard of development in the City;

B.

Establish and enhance a pleasant visual character which recognizes aesthetics and safety issues;

C.

Promote sustainable practices that protect and conserve natural resources, and create healthy landscapes;

D.

Promote landscape design that includes a diversity of plant species, pollinator-friendly species, color, and year-round interest, and enhances the structures and paved areas of the site;

E.

Promote compatibility between land uses by reducing the visual, noise, and lighting impacts of specific development on users of the site and abutting uses;

F.

Activate and define public and private spaces;

G.

Enhance the pedestrian experience; and

H.

Support storm water infiltration and improvements in ground water quality, in conjunction with Section 11.55 Land Alteration, Tree Preservation and Storm Water Management Regulations, and support materials and design that reduce water usage. The City's Design Guidelines provide further landscape design intent and should be used as a reference.

Subd. 2. Reserved.

(Source: Ordinance No. 04-2025, § 13, 3-4-2025)

Subd. 3. Landscape Plan Required. In every case where landscaping is required by provision of the City Code or by an approval granted by the City, for a building or structure to be constructed on any property, the applicant for the building permit shall submit a landscape plan prepared in accordance with the provisions of this section. The landscape plan shall include the following information:

A.

General. Name and address of developer/owner; Name and address of landscape architect/designer; Date of plan preparation; Date and description of all revisions; Name of project or development.

B.

Site Map. One (1) scale drawing of the site based upon a survey of property lines with indication of scale and north point; Name and alignment of proposed and existing adjacent on-site streets; Location of all proposed utility easements and rights-of-way; Location of existing and proposed buildings; Topographic contours at two-foot contour intervals; Existing and proposed location of parking areas; Water bodies; Proposed sidewalks; Percent of site not covered by impervious surface.

C.

Landscape Proposal. Two (2) scale drawings of proposed landscaping for the site based upon a survey of property lines with indication of scale and north point; Existing and proposed topographic contours using mean sea level datum at two-foot contour intervals; Details of proposed planting beds and foundation plantings; Delineation of both sodded and seeded areas; Location and identification of proposed landscape or humanmade materials used to provide screening from adjacent and neighboring properties, a separate cross section drawing of which shall be provided at legible scale illustrating the effectiveness of proposed screening; Location and identification of trees; Details of fences, tie walls, planting boxes, retaining walls, tot lots, picnic areas, berms, and other landscape improvements, including a separate drawing of typical sections of these details in legible scale; Location of landscape islands and planter beds with identification of plant materials used, including separate drawings of typical sections of these areas in legible scale.

D.

Planting Schedule. A table containing the common names and botanical names, average size of plant materials, root specifications, quantities, special planting instructions, and proposed planting dates of all plant materials included in the landscape plan.

Subd. 4. Security Required. No building permit will be issued until the applicant for the building permit files with the City Manager a security in form and amount as approved by the City Manager, but for no less than one and one-half (1 ½) times and no more than two (2) times the amount estimated by the City Manager as the cost of completing said landscaping and screening. The security must be in the form of a standby letter of credit from a financial institution that is insured by the FDIC, or an escrow fund with sufficient capital approved by the City Manager, which is conditioned upon complete and satisfactory implementation of an approved landscape plan and which names the City as obligee or payee as applicable. The security must cover two complete growing seasons or one full calendar year subsequent to the completion and must be conditioned upon complete and satisfactory implementation of the approved landscape plan.

(Source: Ordinance No. 04-2025, § 13, 3-4-2025)

Subd. 5. Implementation. All landscaping must be implemented in accordance with the following:

A.

Size Requirements for Planting. Deciduous overstory plantings shall be a minimum of two and one-half (2½) caliper inches and a maximum of five (5) caliper inches; deciduous understory trees shall be a minimum of one and one-half (1½) caliper inches and a maximum of five (5) caliper inches; coniferous trees shall be a minimum of six (6) feet in height and a maximum often (10) feet in height; shrubs shall be a minimum five (5) gallon container size at planting; perennial grasses and flowers shall be a minimum one (1) gallon container size at planting; ground covers shall be a minimum four (4) inch pot size at planting.

B.

Total Caliper Inches Required. In order to achieve landscaping which is appropriate in scale with the size of a building and site, the minimum number of caliper inches of trees required shall be determined by dividing the total gross square footage of all floors of a building by three hundred twenty (320). A single story building in excess of twenty (20) feet in height shall be considered a two story building for the purposes of determining its total gross square footage. When determination of height results in a fractional foot, any fraction of 0.5 or less may be disregarded; a fraction in excess of 0.5 shall be counted as one (1) foot. A mixture of plant material sizes shall be required as follows:

1.

No more than eighty percent (80%) of trees may be of the minimum size requirement.

2.

For the purposes of satisfying the total caliper inch requirement, coniferous trees may be considered equivalent to overstory trees by dividing the height of a coniferous tree six (6) feet height minimum by 2.4 to determine equivalent caliper inches.

3.

Understory trees may make up no more than twenty percent (20%) of the total tree caliper inches required.

4.

Shrubs, perennials, or planting beds may be substituted for trees according to the following limit: not less than ten percent (10%) and no more than twenty-five percent (25%) of the total tree caliper inches required shall be replaced with shrubs and perennials, or planting beds. Additional shrubs, perennials or planting beds beyond the twenty-five (25%) substitution rate are allowed.

C.

Shrubs and Perennials. Shrubs and perennials shall be provided to complete a quality landscape treatment of the site. Replacement ratio: six (6) shrubs may replace three (3) caliper inches of tree.

D.

Planting Beds and/or Decorative Planting Containers: Each planting bed or container shall include a variety of plants which may include shrubs, ornamental grasses, ground cover, vines, annuals, or perennials to provide year-round color and interest. Native plant species to the local hardiness zone and those which provide interest and/or color in the winter are preferred. Planting beds must have a three-inch mulch application to bare soil surrounding the plant material in order to qualify for the caliper inch replacement.

E.

Planting beds and/or decorative planting containers may replace up to twenty-five percent (25%) of the required caliper inches for trees at a rate of three (3) caliper inches of trees per five hundred (500) square feet of cumulative planting beds and/or decorative planting containers. Planting beds must be planted annually in early spring and maintained throughout the growing season. Decorative planting containers must be planted and maintained seasonally throughout the year. Planting beds and/or decorative containers shall be planted with spacing of species per industry standards.

F.

Substitution in RM-2.5 Zoning District. In the RM-2.5 district, up to 50% of the required landscape caliper inches may be substituted with shrubs, perennials or planting beds if the project has a floor area ratio of 1.00 or greater and the landscaping plan furthers the goals and objectives of the City's Design Guidelines. The request will be evaluated based on meeting five or more of the following criteria:

1.

The project includes xeriscaping, raingardens/bioswales, rooftop gardens, public art, native landscapes, pollinator gardens, green roofs, garden plots or similar features to provide variety in meeting the landscaping requirements.

2.

At the entrances to the building, the proposed landscaping activates the space, creates a human scale environment and makes the space inviting.

3.

The project provides screening that considers safety, such as screening parking lots to limit views of cars from the right-of-way and adjacent land uses while at the same time allowing surveillance of the parking lot.

4.

The project includes landscaping covering more than 75% of the lineal feet of the foundation of the building.

5.

The project exceeds the required percentage of the parking lot covered in islands and/or exceeds the parking lot island size requirements.

6.

The project utilizes landscaping to define and enhance outdoor spaces such as fire pit areas, outdoor kitchen areas, seating areas, pools, outdoor courts, walking paths, etc.

7.

The project utilizes plant material that preserves and conserves resources, reduces waste, and minimizes maintenance. Such plant materials may include those that are drought tolerant, salt tolerant, pollinator friendly, disease resistant, native, low maintenance and shade producing, and those that provide visual interest throughout the year including a variety of periods of blooming, leaf color, bark, and branching structure.

G.

Species Diversity. Species diversity is required to ensure a long-term healthy landscape. Not more than thirty percent (30%) of the required caliper inches shall be composed of one species unless approved by the City. Plant material must be sourced from regional nurseries to ensure healthy stock and non-invasive choices. The following trees are prohibited: a species of the genus ulmus (elm), except those bred to be immune to Dutch Elm disease; female gingko; box elder; willow; aspen.

H.

Naturalized Native Species. Native species, defined as those listed on the University of Minnesota and MN Department of Natural Resources lists, are well adapted to the local environment, require less maintenance, are healthier, and provide habitat for birds and insects. Landscapes that include native and pollinator-friendly plant species, and provide year-round interest with foliage color, flowers, fruits, or branching structure are required. Landscaping that is low maintenance and requires little or no irrigation, shall be considered as one (1) of several grounds upon which the City Council may grant waivers from building design or site design through the PUD process.

I.

Parking Lot Islands. Parking lot islands shall be required in lots of twenty (20) or more spaces and shall be evenly distributed throughout the lot. Single aisle parking lots shall be exempt from this provision. A parking lot island shall be a minimum of one hundred sixty (160) square feet, shall stand-alone or be connected to other islands or sidewalks. No parking lot island shall have any dimension less than five (5) feet. Parking lot islands shall be located at the end of drive aisle rows and every twenty (20) spaces. Five percent (5%) of the parking area, including vehicular circulation areas, shall be comprised of parking lot islands that are planted and not filled with only mulch, stone or paving. Planting requirements are the same as those for planting beds.

J.

Method of Installation. All deciduous and coniferous trees shall be balled and burlapped, staked, and guyed in accordance with national Nurseryman's standards. All shrubs shall be potted.

K.

Sodding and Ground Cover. All open areas of a site not occupied by building, parking, sidewalks, patios, storage, or other similar features shall be landscaped with a combination of canopy trees, ornamental trees, evergreen trees, shrubs, perennial grasses, flowers, sod, ground cover - including low/no mow grasses and perennials - and other design features to ensure soil stabilization. Exceptions to this are seeding of future expansion areas as shown on approved plans; undisturbed areas containing existing natural vegetation which shall be maintained free of foreign and noxious materials; and, areas designated as open space for future expansion area properly planted and maintained with prairie grass.

L.

Slopes and Berms. Final slopes greater than the ratio of 3:1 will not be permitted without special approval or treatment, such as special seed mixtures or reforestation, terracing, or retaining walls. Berming used to provide required screening of parking lots and other open areas shall not have slopes in excess of 3:1.

M.

Installation and Maintenance of Materials. Responsibility for tree and plant growth and maintenance is solely that of the property owner, runs with the land, and is binding on all future property owners. Owners are responsible for maintaining all landscaping in a healthy condition and keeping it free from refuse and debris. Dead plant materials shall be removed and replaced during the normal planting season. Materials must be replaced with like species or as approved by City staff.

N.

Erosion Control. All areas of the site must be stabilized in accordance with Section 11.55 unless required otherwise in a federal, state or local permit.

O.

Preservation of Wetland and Woodland Areas. It is the policy of the City to preserve the natural wetland and woodland areas throughout the City, and with respect to specific site development, to retain as far as practical, substantial tree stands and wetlands which can be incorporated into the landscape plan. No clear cutting of woodland areas shall be permitted. Shade trees of six (6) inch or more caliper shall be saved unless it can be demonstrated that there is no other feasible way to develop the site. The Council may require replacement of any removed trees on a caliper inch for caliper inch basis.

P.

Placement of Plant Materials. No landscaping shall be allowed within any drainage utility easements, road right-of-way, or immediately adjacent to any driveway or road intersection when it would interfere with motorists' views of the street or roadway.

Q.

Mechanical Equipment Screening.

1.

All mechanical equipment mounted on the exterior of a building and possessing one (1) or more of the characteristics listed below in P.3 shall be physically screened from all public roads and adjacent differing land uses with factory prefinished metal, wood laminated with metal, or other building material in a manner architecturally integral to the building or buildings on site.

2.

All mechanical equipment located on the ground and possessing one (1) or more of the characteristics listed below in P.3 shall be physically screened from all public roads and adjacent differing land uses with either plant material or factory prefinished metal, wood laminated with metal, or other building material in a manner architecturally integral to the building or buildings on site.

3.

Irregular in size and shape; Exposed and/or protruding fans, grills, pipes, tubes, wires, vents; unfinished metal covering, exposed rivets, exposed seams.

R.

General Screening. All parking, loading, service, utility, and outdoor storage areas shall be screened from all public roads and adjacent differing land uses as measured from eye level at grade from public roads and adjacent differing land uses. Screening shall consist of any combination of the following: earth mounds, fences, shrubs, compact evergreen trees, or dense deciduous hedge. Hedge materials must be at least three (3) feet in height, at planting. The height and depth of the screening shall be consistent with the height and size of the area for which screening is required. When natural materials, such as trees or hedges, are used to meet the screening requirements of this subsection, density and species of planting shall be such to achieve seventy-five percent (75%) opacity year-round at maturity.

1.

Well-defined breaks in the screen along public roads are required to facilitate pedestrian access from the public right-of-way to the building. These openings shall align with the parking lot layout requirements for pedestrian access (Section 11.43) and shall be in addition to driveways or visually distinctive if adjacent to a driveway. Connections to adjacent uses must be facilitated as determined through approval process.

2.

Appropriate elements to include in screening proposals for parking lots along public roads include transit shelters, benches, public art or similar features as part of the screen.

3.

Parking lot screening shall be a minimum of three (3) feet in height, measured from the parking lot surface, in order to screen cars and headlights, and shall allow breaks for pedestrian connections as described in Q.1.

S.

General Landscape for Residential Districts. In R1-44, R1-22, R1-13.5, R1-9.5, RM-6.5 and RM-2.5, districts all exposed ground area surrounding the principal building and accessory buildings which are not devoted to driveways, sidewalks, or patios, shall be landscaped with grass, shrubs, trees or other ornamental landscape material. No landscaped area shall be used for the parking of vehicles or storage or display of materials, supplies, or merchandise.

T.

Public Art. Integration of public art into private development, in addition to privately owned amenities such as plazas, courtyards, fountains, outdoor art, rooftop gardens and green roofs and other decorative elements, which enhances the design of the landscaping may be considered as one of several grounds upon which the City Council may grant waivers from landscaping requirements through the PUD process. Public art on a site should be situated in a way that it can be viewed from an adjacent right-of-way or public spaces.

(Source: Ordinance No. 11-2024, § 1, 8-29-2024; Ordinance No. 20-2023, 12-14-2023)