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1 <br />ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD <br />AGENDA ITEM 7C <br /> <br />STAFF ORIGINATOR: Andy Nelson <br /> <br />MEETING DATE: August 30th, 2023 <br /> <br />REQUEST: Artificial Turf Ordinance Amendment <br /> <br />TOPIC: Artificial Turf Ordinance Amendment <br /> <br /> <br />BACKGROUND <br /> <br />On August 10, 2023 a crew performing landscaping work at 75 Robinson Drive had removed <br />turf grass and soil and added rock in preparation for installation of synthetic turf that would <br />cover a large portion of the lot. A stop work order was issued for the site at that time due to the <br />violation of City Code requirements. <br /> <br />Currently, the zoning ordinance requires sod or seed as ground cover as stated in the following <br />excerpts from City Code: <br /> <br />Section 1007.043(17)(h) Sod and Ground Cover: <br />All areas not otherwise improved in compliance with the approved site plans shall have a <br />minimum depth of four (4) inches of topsoil and be sodded including boulevard areas. <br /> <br />Section 1007.043(17)(i) General Landscaping Standards: <br />1. All lot areas not used for off-street parking, off-street loading, sidewalks, driveways, building <br />sites, or other requirements shall be landscaped with grass, shrubs, trees or other acceptable <br />vegetation, or treatment as required by this chapter prior to issuance of a certificate of <br />occupancy. <br /> <br />Exceptions to these requirements are limited to seeding, undisturbed natural vegetation areas, <br />natural prairie restoration areas and bark, wood chips, and decorative rocks in support of shrubs <br />and foundation plantings. There is no exception for synthetic turf. <br />Troy Johnson, with ForeverLawn Minnesota, Inc. submitted a Land Use Application on August <br />16th, 2023 requesting an amendment to City Code allowing synthetic turfgrass. An amendment <br />to the Code would require City Council approval. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />