6.b) Staff Report-Scandia Parks and Trails Native Plant ProgramSCANDILA
Staff Report
Date of Meeting: February 4, 2013
To: Parks and Recreation Committee
From: Kristina Handt, City Administrator
Re: Scandia Parks and Trails Native Plant Program
Agenda Item #: 6.b)
Background:
Tom Vogen had requested this item be placed on the agenda at the January meeting. Committee
member Arnold also has an interest in further discussing this issue.
Included in your packet is a copy of Screening and Landscaping Section from Chapter 2 of the
Development Code. While this does not apply to parks (applies to single family and multi-
family development and commercial/industrial development) it may help the committee
formulate guidelines for parks as well.
Issue:
Does the committee want to adopt additional guidelines that establish a program
requesting/requiring native plants in City park and recreational areas? If so, what are the
guidelines?
Proposal Details:
None specific at this time. Further committee discussion is needed to formulate ideas. The
committee should discuss if the guidelines will be mandatory or voluntary? In formulating ideas
the committee may also want to consider aesthetics, maintenance and cost when comparing
native and non-native plantings.
Fiscal Impact:
Depends on how the committee would like to apply the guidelines. Will all plantings in park and
rec areas be required to be replaced with native species and if so will the City pay for that or will
the guidelines be implemented as funds are donated from non -city sources?
Options:
The committee should discuss and come to some agreement regarding the items discussed above.
This will provide staff with the information necessary to begin drafting a Scandia Parks and
Recreation Native Plant Program Guidelines document that can then be further reviewed at the
next meeting. If the Committee wants to adopt guidelines for the City to use when evaluating
proposals, the guidelines would need to be recommended to the City Council and ultimately
approved by them.
EFFECTIVE NOVEMBER 3, 2010 amended through June 19, 2012 (Ordinance 131) Chapter Two 0 Zoning Regulations
3.12 Screening and Landscaping
(1) Purpose and Objectives. The preservation of existing trees and vegetation as well as the
planting of new trees and vegetation, can significantly add to the quality of the physical
environment of the community. This Section provides for the health, safety, and welfare of the
residents of the City of Scandia and is intended to:
• Promote the reestablishment of vegetation in developed areas for aesthetic, health, and
wildlife reasons;
• Establish and enhance a pleasant visual character which recognizes aesthetics and safety
issues;
• Promote compatibility between land uses by reducing the visual, noise, and lighting
impacts of specific development on users of the site and abutting uses;
• Unify development and enhance and define public and private spaces;
• Promote the retention and use of existing vegetation;
• Aid in energy conservation by providing shade from the sun and shelter from the wind;
• Reduce flooding and erosion by stabilizing soils with trees and vegetation.
(2) Landscaping Plan.
A landscaping plan shall be submitted at the time of site plan/preliminary plat review for any:
(A) Major residential subdivision, or new development or new building construction in
any commercial, industrial, public/institutional or planned unit development.
(13) Modification or expansion of a commercial or industrial building or improvements to
a site, and/or when there is a change in land use plan or zoning. Landscaping
requirements shall be applied to those portions of the site that are directly affected by
the proposed improvements, or change in land use, as determined by the Zoning
Administrator. In all cases appropriate screening and buffering shall be provided for
the entire site.
(3) General Plan Requirements.
Landscape plans shall be prepared by a landscape architect or other qualified person
acceptable to the Zoning Administrator and shall include information as required by Chapter
1, Section 11 of this Development Code, and a Woodland Preservation Plan as per Section
3.11 of this Chapter as applicable.
(4) Design Standards and Guidelines.
All landscape plans shall adhere to the following:
(A) Design Guidelines. Landscape plans shall be reviewed for compatibility with the
Scandia Architectural Design Guidelines, as applicable.
City of Scandia Development Code, Chapter 2 Page 2-60
EFFECTIVE NOVEMBER 3, 2010 amended through June 19, 2012 (Ordinance 131) Chapter Two 0 Zoning Regulations
(B) Landscaped Areas. All open areas of a lot which are not used or improved for required
parking areas, drives or storage shall be landscaped with a combination of over -story
trees, under -story trees, coniferous trees, shrubs, flowers and ground cover materials.
The City strongly encourages landscape plans that reflect the natural landscape.
(C) Number of trees. The minimum number of major or over -story trees on any given site
shall be as indicated below. These are the minimum substantial plantings, in addition
to other under -story trees, shrubs, flowers and ground cover deemed appropriate for a
complete quality landscape treatment of the site. The planting location of the required
trees is flexible in order to accommodate various landscape designs. The required
number of trees may be reduced by the City if the landscape plan reflects the natural
landscape.
Single -Family Residential- 5 trees for each dwelling unit;
Multiple -Family Residential- 5 trees for each dwelling unit;
Commercial/Industrial - the greater of 1 tree per 1,000 square feet of gross building
floor area or 10 trees.
(D) Site Ground Cover. All front, side or rear yards facing a right-of-way shall be treated
with a ground cover material consisting of either lawn and/or natural/prairie grasses.
The ground cover shall be established one year from the date of occupancy.
Undisturbed areas containing existing viable natural vegetation that can be maintained
free of foreign and noxious plant materials shall satisfy this requirement.
(E) Building Ground Cover. A minimum five-foot strip from building walls facing a
public right-of-way shall be treated with decorative ground cover and/or foundation
plantings, except for garage/loading and pedestrian access areas.
(F) Minimum Planting Size. The complement of trees fulfilling the requirements of this
Section shall be of a variety of age classes. Sizes of over- and under -story trees are
based on the diameter of the tree 6 inches above the ground.
Required
Planting Material
% of Tree Type
Size Required_
Over -story Trees
50%
2 '/2 inches
50%
1 '/2 inches
Under -story Trees
50%
1 '/2 inches
50%
1 inch
Ornamental Trees
50%
1 inch
Coniferous Trees
4 feet in height
Tall Shrubs or Hedge
3 feet
Low Shrubs
2 or 5 gallon
City of Scandia Development Code, Chapter 2 Page 2-61
EFFECTIVE NOVEMBER 3, 2010 amended through June 19, 2012 (Ordinance 131)
Chapter Two 0 Zoning Regulations
(G) Species. The following is a list of recommended plant materials:
Common Name
Conifers
Balsam Fir
Eastern Red Cedar
Tamarack
White Spruce
Norway Spruce
Jack Pine
Norway Pine
White Pine
American Arborvitae; White
Cedar
Canadian Hemlock
Deciduous Trees
Red Maple
Silver Maple and Cultivars
Sugar Maple
Ohio Buckeye
Yellow Birch
River Birch
Paper Birch
American Hornbeam; Blue
Beech
Bittemut Hickory
Shagbark Hickory
Northern Catalpa
Hackberry
Hawthorn
Honeylocust
Kentucky Coffee Tree
Black Walnut
Crabapple
Ironwood
Cottonwood (male, non -
seeding)
Quaking Aspen
Canada Plum
Black Cherry
White Oak
Swamp White Oak
Northern Pin Oak
Bur Oak
Pin Oak
Red Oak
Black Oak
American Mountain Ash
European Mountain Ash
Basswood; American
Linden
Littleleaf Linden
Scientific Name Tvne
Native
Abies balsamea
Conifer
No
Juniperus virginiana
Conifer
Yes
Larix laricina
Conifer
Yes
Picea glauca
Conifer
Yes
Picea abies
Conifer
No
Pinus banksiana
Conifer
Yes
Pinus resinosa
Conifer
Yes
Pinus strobus
Conifer
Yes
Thuja occidentalis
Conifer
Yes
Tsuga Canadensis
Conifer
Yes
Acer rubrum
Primary Deciduous; Overstory
Yes
Acer saccharinum
Primary Deciduous; Overstory
Yes
Acer saccharum
Primary Deciduous; Overstory
Yes
Aeschylus glabra
Primary Deciduous; Overstory
No
Betula alleghaniensis
Primary Deciduous; Overstory
No
Betula nigra
Primary Deciduous; Overstory
Yes
Betula papyrifer
Primary Deciduous; Overstory
Yes
Carpinus caroliniana
Primary Deciduous; Understory
Yes
Carya cordiformis
Primary Deciduous; Overstory
Yes
Carya ovate
Primary Deciduous; Overstory
No
Catalpa speciosa
Primary Deciduous; Overstory
Yes
Celtis occidentalis
Primary Deciduous; Overstory
Yes
Crataegus crus-galli
Primary Deciduous; Ornamental
Yes
Gleditsia triacanthos
Primary Deciduous; Overstory
No
Gymnocladus dioica
Primary Deciduous; Overstory
Yes
Juglans nigra
Primary Deciduous; Overstory
Yes
Malus sp.
Primary Deciduous; Ornamental
No
Ostrya virginiana
Primary Deciduous; Understory
Yes
Populus deltoides
Secondary Deciduous; Overstory
Yes
Populus tremuloides
Secondary Deciduous; Overstory
Yes
Prunus nigra
Primary Deciduous; Ornamental
No
Prunus serotina
Primary Deciduous; Overstory
Yes
Quercus alba
Primary Deciduous; Overstory
Yes
Quercus bicolor
Primary Deciduous; Overstory
Yes
Quercus ellipsoidalis
Primary Deciduous; Overstory
Yes
Quercus macrocarpa
Primary Deciduous; Overstory
Yes
Quercus palustris
Primary Deciduous; Overstory
Yes
Quercus rubra
Primary Deciduous; Overstory
Yes
Quercus velutina
Primary Deciduous; Overstory
Yes
Sorbus Americana
Primary Deciduous; Ornamental
Yes
Sorbus aucuparia
Primary Deciduous; Ornamental
No
Tilia Americana
Primary Deciduous; Overstory
Yes
Tilia cordata
Primary Deciduous; Overstory
No
City of Scandia Development Code, Chapter 2 Page 2-62
EFFECTIVE NOVEMBER 3, 2010 amended through June 19, 2011 (Ordinance 131) Chapter Two 0 Zoning Regulations
Common Name
American Elm
(Dutch Elm -resistant
varieties
Slippery Elm; Red Elm
Deciduous Shrubs
Downy Serviceberry
Shadbow Serviceberry
Allegany Servicebeny
Leadplant
Red Chokebeny
Black Chokebeny
Pagoda Dogwood
Gray Dogwood
Redosier Dogwood
American Hazel
Bush Honeysuckle
Wahoo
Common Witchhazel
Wild Plum
Pin Cherry
Fragrant Sumac
Smooth Sumac
Staghom Sumac
Willows (native to
Minnesota)
Arrowwood Viburnum
Nannybeny
American Highbush
Cranberry
Scientific Name
Ulmus Americana
Ulmus rubra
Amelanchior arborea
Amelanchior canadensis
Amelanchior laevis
Amopha canescens
Aronia arbutifolia
Aronia melanocarpa
Cornus altemifolia
Cornus racemosa
Cornus stolonifera
Corylus Americana
Diervilla lonicera
Euonymous atropurpureus
Hamamelis virginiana
Prunus Americana
Prunus pensylvanica
Rhus aromatic
Rhus glabra
Rhus typhina
Salix, sp.
Viburnum dentatum
Viburnum lentango
Viburnum trilobum
Twe
Primary Deciduous; Overstory
Primary Deciduous; Overstory
Tall Shrub; Understory
Tall Shrub; Understory
Tall Shrub; Understory
Low Shrub; Understory
Low Shrub; Understory
Low Shrub; Understory
Tall Shrub; Understory
Tall Shrub Understory
Tall Shrub; Understory
Tall Shrub; Understory
Low Shrub; Understory
Tall Shrub; Understory
Tall Shrub; Understory
Tall Shrub; Understory
Tall Shrub; Understory
Low Shrub; Understory
Tall Shrub; Understory
Tall Shrub; Understory
Low Shrub; Understory
Low Shrub; Understory
Tall Shrub; Understory
Tall Shrub; Understory
Native
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
The complement of trees fulfilling the requirements of this Section shall be not less
than 25% deciduous and not less than 25% coniferous, unless the proposed
plantings are designed to create a natural setting and it is approved by the City
Council. Single-family development is exempt from this requirement.
2. No required tree shall be an invasive species identified by the Minnesota
Department of Natural Resources, or any of the following:
• A species of the genus Ulmus (elm), except those elms bred to be immune to
Dutch Elm disease;
• Female Cottonwood;
• A species of the genus Fraxinus (ash); or
• Female ginko.
(H) Parking Lots/Planting Islands. All automobile parking lots designed for 15 or more
parking spaces shall provide landscaping areas dispersed throughout the parking lot, in
order to avoid the undesirable monotony, heat and wind associated with large parking
areas. Parking lots with less than 15 spaces shall not be required to provide
City of Scandia Development Code, Chapter 2 Page 2-63
EFFECTIVE NOVEMBER 3, 2010 amended through June 19, 2012 (Ordinance 131) Chapter Two 0 Zoning Regulations
landscaping other than yard area and buffer landscaping requirements as specified in
other sections of this ordinance.
Plant Materials - At least one over-story/shade tree shall be provided for each 15
parking spaces. Ornamental trees, shrubs, hedges and other plant materials may be
used to supplement the shade trees, but shall not be the sole contribution to such
landscaping.
2. Additional perimeter plantings may be used to satisfy this requirement in parking
facilities less than 60 feet in width.
(I) Slopes and Berms. Final slopes of greater than 3:1 will not be permitted without
special treatment such as terracing or retaining walls. All berms shall incorporate trees
and other plantings into the design. In no situation shall berms be used as the sole
means of screening.
(J) Landscape Guarantee. A financial guarantee shall be submitted as provided by
Chapter 1, Section I LI 0.
(5) Screening and Buffering
(A) Screening shall be required:
When any nonresidential, commercial or industrial off-street parking area contains
more than 4 parking spaces and is within 30 feet of a parcel in residential use.
2. When a driveway to a nonresidential parking area of more than 6 parking spaces is
within 15 feet of a parcel in residential use.
3. Where any business or industrial use (structure, parking or storage) is adjacent to
property in residential use, that business or industry shall provide screening along
the boundary of the residential property. Screening shall also be provided where a
business, parking lot or industry is across the street from a residential use, but not
on the side of a business or industry considered to be the front.
(B) Performance Standards. The screening required in this Section shall consist of earth
mounds, berms or ground forms; fences and walls; landscaping (plant materials) or
landscaped fixtures (such as timbers) used in combination or singularly so as to block
direct visual access to the area or object to be screened. Required screening for
parking areas shall provide a 100% opaque screen not less than 4 feet in height.
3.13 Signs
(1) Applicability. The regulations contained herein do not apply to signs painted, attached by
adhesive or otherwise attached directly to or visible through windows and glass portions of
doors.
(2) Permit Required. Except as otherwise provided in this Development Code, no sign shall be
erected, constructed, altered, rebuilt or relocated until an Administrative Permit or Conditional
use permit as may be required for the sign has been issued. Application for a permit shall be
City of Scandia Development Code, Chapter 2 Page 2-64