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Sec. 90-181. - Landscaping.
<br />(a) Generally. The city recognizes that adequate landscaping makes for a more attractive community,
<br />provides habitat for wildlife, improves surface water quality, reduces radiant heat, curtails air and noise
<br />pollution, and increases property values. For these reasons, this section establishes minimum
<br />landscaping requirements for the development and use of property in the city.
<br />(b) Plan. A landscaping plan shall be provided to the city for approval as part of all commercial, industrial,
<br />and multifamily housing site plans. Such plan shall describe, as a minimum:
<br />(1) Established and proposed drainage patterns on the site.
<br />(2) The location, number, size, and type of all mature trees existing on the site, and identification of
<br />those to be removed. Mature trees are defined as trees measuring a minimum of six inches in
<br />diameter or larger for deciduous trees and measuring four inches in diameter or larger for
<br />coniferous trees, measured 54 inches above the ground.
<br />(3) The location, number, type, and size of all trees and shrubs to be planted, as well as the type of
<br />mulch to be used.
<br />(4) The location and description of all ground covers to be planted or preserved.
<br />(5) The location of all street, utility, and drainage easements located on the site.
<br />(6) Relationship of landscaping to the structures and facilities proposed for the site.
<br />(7) A chart showing the number of trees, shrubs, etc., proposed.
<br />(c) Percentage amount to be expended. An amount not less than one percent of the cost of improvements
<br />made as part of a development, meeting one or more of the conditions listed below, shall be expended
<br />on landscaping. The landscaping plan and supervision of landscaping improvements shall be made
<br />by a landscaping professional and approved by the city council.
<br />(1) Multifamily housing development, including town homes, containing ten or more housing units.
<br />(2) All commercial and industrial development.
<br />(d) Tree preservation. Wherever feasible, shade trees with a trunk diameter of six inches or more, and
<br />evergreen trees over 25 feet in height, shall be preserved as part of land development activities.
<br />(e) Obstructions. No vegetation, fence, berm, or other visual obstruction over two feet tall shall be placed,
<br />or allowed to develop, within ten feet of the intersection of any public streets where both streets have
<br />a speed limit of 35 miles per hour or less. In this case, the intersection shall be considered the edge
<br />of the curb or travel portion of the roadway. Where one or more of the streets have a speed limit in
<br />excess of 35 miles per hour, such setback requirement shall be 20 feet. Trees that overhang the
<br />setback requirement shall have their branches trimmed to provide unobstructed visibility to a point ten
<br />feet above the centerline gradient of the abutting streets. Public utility poles, street lights, and
<br />regulatory signs constructed may be located in the setback area with approval of the city engineer.
<br />(f) Planting in public places. No tree, shrub, or other organic matter, except low -growing ground covers,
<br />shall be planted or allowed to grow in public road rights-of-way without approval by the city council.
<br />(g) Planting near power lines. No tree shall be planted under or near an overhead power line that may
<br />grow to interfere with power transmission. Large mature -height trees, may not be planted under or
<br />within 30 feet of overhead power lines. Care shall be taken not to cause damage to underground
<br />utilities and services when planting. Excavations over 18 inches deep require prior notification of utility
<br />companies and the locating of underground facilities through the state's Gopher State One -Call
<br />system.
<br />(h) Cutting, damaging trees. No person shall cut, remove, trim, or in any way damage any tree on any
<br />property owned by the city, or shall create any condition hazardous to any tree on city property without
<br />approval of the city's public works director.
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