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City of Mounds View Staff Report <br /> Ordinance 594: Tall Grasses <br /> April 2, 1997 <br /> Page 2 <br /> Natural plantings, wetland and meadow vegetation indigenous to Minnesota, grown on any <br /> occupied lot or parcel of land and maintained as part of a landscape treatment or garden area <br /> approved by the Director of Community Development. <br /> A concern was expressed at the Council meeting on February 24 about this wording, in that areas left <br /> natural on individual lots in developed residential neighborhoods may become an annoyance to the <br /> neighbors and that the City would be opening the door to a continuing problem. There was concern <br /> expressed about native vegetation spreading into neighbors' yards. City Council suggested that <br /> Planning Commission discuss the proposed ordinance further and provide additional input. <br /> The Planning Commission recommended that Item#3 be changed to read as is noted under the <br /> summary section of this report. This change would limit the type of vegetation to wetland-tyln grzaws <br /> only rather than also allowing natural plantings and meadow vegetation, which is much more <br /> susceptible to spreading into adjacent yards. Planning Commission felt that in some cases it is difficult <br /> to fight the natural conditions where there is boggy soil and require mowing. The City Fore1 ,1-:a5 <br /> indicated that it is unlikely wetland vegetation will spread into adjacent yards because they require wet <br /> conditions to flourish. <br /> At your meeting on March 24, Staff presented two options for Council consideration. These included: <br /> #1: Include the five exemptions, but modify exemption#3 using the wording noted in the summary <br /> section of this report. <br /> #2: Drop exemption#3. <br /> After discussion, City Council introduced an ordinance which would enact Option#1 for first reading. <br /> Ordinance 594 included with this report follows this option. <br /> Staff would also note the addition of the phrase"wetlands designated as part of the City's wetland <br /> zoning district"to Item#1, since your last meeting. <br /> Recommendation: The Planning Commission,by a unanimous vote, and Staff recommend City <br /> Council adoption of Ordinance 594 with the change noted above, which would allow exemptions from <br /> the noxious weed and tall grass provisions of the Municipal Code. <br /> James Ericson,Planning Associate <br /> cc: Keith King, 8380 Greenwood Drive <br /> N:\DATA\USERS\PAMS\SHAREV SPECPROJ'SPo1297\GRASS.CC3 <br />