#021 04-07-81 Approve Landscape GuidelinesResol.ution #21
April 7, 1981
Member Anderson introduced and read the following written resolution and moved its
adoption:
RESOLUTION
Landscape Guidelines
1. Purpose and Objective
The purpose of this policy is to establish minimum criteria and standards
relative to landscaping, buffering and screening where required, to be
implemented at the time of development, and in conformance with plans
approved by the City of Golden Valley. The standards and criteria set
forth herein have been developed for the use of the City Staff, Planning
Commission, Building Board of Review and City Council so as to provide a
common approach to the objectives hereafter set forth.
The primary objectives of these standards and criteria are to establish,
where necessary, and maintain a natural environment for the City of Golden
Valley; to provide appropriate vegetative ground cover for the purpose of
controlling soil erosion and water pollution; to enhance, whenever necessary,
the existing natural environment, particularly in instances where the natural
environment is disturbed during the course of development; and, to establish
standards and criteria for utilization of natural landscape materials to
achieve required, as well as desired, screening and buffering.
This policy sets forth minimum requirements for landscaping, along with
technical limitations to assure that the end result is consistent with
reasonable maintenance requirements on a long-term basis, and to assure
that the results provide for an overall aesthetic urban environment.
2. Detailed Landscape Plans
Detailed landscape plans shall be required in all cases where site plan approval
is specified in the Zoning Ordinance, or otherwise required by the Building
Board of Review. The landscape plan should be based upon the site plan,
and be produced on a .separate sheet from that containing specific grading,
drainage, and utility plans.
The owner/developer shall agree to maintain all items on the approved
landscape plan and that he will replace and/or correct any deficiencies or
defaults that might occur for a minimum period of at least two (2) complete
growing seasons subsequent to completion of the landscape plans. A perfor-
mance bond shall be furnished by the owner/developer prior to obtaining a
building permit that is equal to at least one and one-half (12) times the
amount estimated by the owner/developer, and approved by the Building Board
of Review, to be the cost of carrying out the approved landscape plan.
Detailed landscape plans shall include the following information:
A. General:
1. Name and address of owner/developer;
2. Name and address of architect/designer;
3. Date of plan preparation;
4. Dates and description of all revisions;
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April 7, 1981
5. Name of project or development;
6. Scale of plan.(engineering scale only) at no smaller than
1 inch equals 50 feet.
7. North point indication.
B. Landscape Data:
1. Planting schedule containing:
a) symbols
b) quantities
c) common names
d) botanical names
e) sizes of plant material at time of planting
f) root specification (b,r., B & B, potted, etc.)
g) special planting instructions
2. Existing trees and shrubbery, locations, common names and
approximate size.
3. Planting detail (show all species to scale at normal mature
crown diameter, or spread for local hardiness zone).
4. Typical sections in detail of fences, tiewalls, planter boxes,
tot lots, picnic areas, berms, and other similar features.
5. Typical sections of landscape islands and planter beds with
identification of materials used.
6. Details of planting beds and foundation plantings.
7. Note indicating how disturbed soil areas will be restored
through the use of sodding, seeding, or other techniques.
8. Delineation of both sodded and seeded areas with total areas
provided in square feet, and slope information.
9. Coverage plan for underground irrigation system, if any.
10. Statement or symbols, to describe exterior lighting plan concept.
C. Special Conditions:
Where landscape or man-made materials are used to provide required
screening from adjacent and neighboring properties, a cross-section
shall be provided through the site and adjacent properties to show
property elevation, existing buildings and screening in scale.
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Resolution #21 continued
3. Minimum Number of Trees
April 7, 1981
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 necessary
by the Building Board of Review in order to provide for a complete quality
landscape treatment of the site. Credit may be given for existing trees and
shrubbery providing that balanced coverage is obtained.
A. Commercial, Industrial and Institutional Developments:
A minimum of one (1) tree per 1,000 square feet of gross building
floor area, or one (1) tree per 50 lineal feet of site perimeter.
B. Multiple Dwelling Residential Developments:
A minimum of one (1) tree per dwelling unit, a minimum of 15 percent
of the required minimum number of trees for multiple dwelling residential
developments shall be deciduous trees, at least 3.5 inches in diameter
as measured six (6) inches above the ground.
4. Minimum Size of Plantings
A. Trees shall be of the following minimum planting size:
1. Deciduous trees - 2.5 inches in diameter as measured six
inches above the found, except for 3B above.
2. Coniferous trees - six (6) feet in height.
B. Evergreen shrubs used for screening purposes, including those
used for berming, shall be at least 24 inches in height.
5. Species
A. All trees used in site development shall be indigenous to the
appropriate hardiness zone, and blend in well with the physical
characteristics of the site.
B. The compliment of trees fulfilling the requirements of the policy,
in other than multiple dwelling residential, shall not be less
than 23 percent deciduous, or 25 percent coniferous.
C. The City of Golden Valley has a preference for such species as
Soft Maple, Sun Burst Locust, and other trees and shrubs with a yellow
or golden foilage, or that may turn yellow or golden in the Fall of
the year.
6. Sodding and Ground Cover
All areas that are not otherwise improved in accordance with approved site
plans shall be sodded. Exceptions to this criterion may be allowed by the
Building Board of Review as follows:
A. Seeding of future expansion areas as shown on approved plans;
3 2 Resoltuion #21 continued
April 7, 1981
B. Undisturbed areas containing existing viable natural vegetation
which can be maintained free of foreign and noxious plant materials.
C. Areas designed as open space or future expansion areas properly
planted and maintained.
D. Use of mulch materials, such as bark and wood chips in support of
shrubs and foundation plantings.
7. Slopes and Berm
Final slopes steeper than 2:1 shall not be permitted, unless otherwise approved
by the Building Board of Review, and with special treatment such as terracing
or retaining walls.
8. Use of Landscaping for Screening
Where natural plan materials, such as trees or hedges, are approved by
the Building Board of Review in lieu of required screening by means of a
wall or fence, the density and species of such plantings shall be such as
to achieve 90 percent opacity year around.
9. Parking Lot Landscaping & Lighting
A. In addition to any required traffic safety islands, parking lots
shall have a minimum of one (1) internal landscaped island delineator
for each additional 3,000 square feet of off-street parking space over
and above the first 4,000 square feet. Such islands shall be a minimum
of 200 square feet in area and shall be used to delineate parking
spaces from driving aisles.
B. Lighting for such parking lots shall not cause a nuisance to
surrounding property.
ROSEMARY TFLORS r , MAYOR
ATTEST:
wal®r"AAFIN"iF,�. -M...
moving"I",
The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was duly seconded by
Member Mitchell, and upon vote being taken thereon, the following members
voted in favor thereof: Anderson, Mitchell, Johnson, Stockman and Thorsen,
and the following voted against the same: None, whereupon said resolution was
declared duly passed and adopted, signed by the Mayor, and her signature
attested by the City Clerk.
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