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L =i &Aasoclaiea, rnc. Infrastructure . Engineering . Planning . Construction 701 Xenia Avenue South Suite 300 Minneapolis, MN 55416 Tel: 763 -541 -4800 Fax: 763 - 541 -1700 CITY OF SAINT ANTHONY VILLAGE MEMORANDUM To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the Council Mark Casey, City Manager From: Kelsey Johnson, AICP, City Planner Date: June 3, 2013 WSB Project No. 02170 -000 Request: Sustainable Ordinance Prioritization Discussion BACKGROUND Over the past decade many communities have begun to integrate "sustainable ordinances" into their zoning codes in an effort to drive and encourage sustainable development. Ordinances range from buildings and lighting to land use and transportation. They include environmental management, as well as economic and community development. Building off of all the work the City has been doing related to ensuring we continue to support sustainable initiatives, staff has begun to think about the implementation tools needed to encourage / support sustainable design throughout the community. Additionally, staff has been approached by residents who are interested in improving their properties utilizing "sustainable concepts ". Currently, the §152.006 of the Zoning Code states that "if a use is not specifically permitted, permitted by conditional use permit, or prohibited, the use will be considered prohibited" (1992 Code, § 1600.06). As residents bring opportunities forward (i.e. solar panels, green roof designs, keeping of bees in residential zones, etc.) since they are not specifically permitted, conditionally permitted or prohibited in the Zoning Code, staff has interpreted these uses to be prohibited by the provision referenced above. A goal as listed in the 2013 Strategic Pyramid is to "Create and Maintain Healthy Neighborhoods ". An Action Step listed to assist in fulfilling this goal is to "Ensure City Code reflects sustainability initiatives ". Staff is seeking direction from the City Council to aid in creating a prioritized list of ordinances in which the Council would like staff and the Planning Commission to begin exploring. Items on this list will be incorporated into the 2013 Work Plan as created by the Planning Commission. While it is likely that not all items will be addressed in 2013, it creates a guiding document for staff and the Planning Commission to begin focusing on. Items to consider (and to be prioritized by the City Council) include: • Solar Energy Standards • Green Roof / Living Roof Design • Landscaping and Maintenance of Vegetation (Native and edible plantings) • Urban Farming (Animals) — Bee keeping • Pervious Pavement