08-22-1990 Council Agenda - Laserfiche WebLink

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Northwest Associated Consultants, Inc. U R B A N P L A N N I N G • D E S I G N • M A R K E T R E S E A R C H MEMORANDUM TO: Little Canada Planning Commission FROM: Stephen Grittnian DATE: 29 March 1990 RE: Little Canada - Landscape Ordinance FILE NO: 758.09 - 89.75 Attached is a draft of an Ordinance text which would increase the landscaping requirements for many projects in the City. It has been drafted to replace the existing section in the Zoning Ordinance. The impetus for this proposal has arisen out of concerns over maintenance of landscaping, some documentation problems on existing projects, and potential tree loss from wooded sites. This memorandum provides paragraph by paragraph explanation for the individual items. Please refer to the corresponding section of the proposed Ordinance amendment. 1. This section is similar to the existing language with some rewording and clarification of landscape plan requirements. 2a. This paragraph defines what must be included in the estimate of value for any particular project, differentiating between building costs and site improvement costs. b. This paragraph sets a minimum two percent threshold for upgraded landscape improvements. One concern has been no standards for such improvements and, often as a result, few real improvements are made on many development projects. The section is structured to encourage more intensive landscaping by exempting plain concrete walks and lawn area from the 2% formula. Shrubs and trees would count, as would the upgraded expense of patterned concrete or brick as a paving material over plain concrete sidewalk. c. This paragraph is basically the same as existing language. d. This paragraph is basically the same as existing language, with some clarification. Page 59 4601 Excelsior Blvd. •Suite 410 •Minneapolis, MN 55416'(612) 925 -9420 • Fax 925 -2721