7b. Adopt Ord CC SubdivisionCITYOF
C SEN
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Ohanhassen MN 55317
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MEMORANDUM
TO:
Todd Gerhardt, City Manger
FROM:
DATE:
Bob Generous, Senior Planner
May 24, 2004
SUB J:
Adoption of Ordinance, Chapter 18, Chanhassen City Code,
Subdivision; Approval of Summary Ordinance for Publication
Purposes
ACTION REQUIRED
A simple majority vote of City Council members present is required to adopt the
amendment; however, a 4/5ths vote is required for approval of the summary
ordinance for publication purposes.
BACKGROUND
City Council directed that the tree preservation portion of the subdivision be
reviewed separately from the balance of the subdivision ordinance. The proposed
changes to section 18-61 have been reviewed previously by the Chanhassen
Planning Commission and City Council.
SUMMARY
Staff believes that these changes clarify the ordinance and is recommending
approval of the amendment.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff is recommending that the City Council adopt the attached ordinance for
Chapter 18, section 18-61, of the Chanhassen City Code; and approve the
summary ordinance for publication purposes.
ATTACHMENT
1. Ordinance Amending Chapter 18, section 18-61, Chanhassen City Code.
2. Summary Ordinance.
g:\plan\bg\city code\cc memo section 18-61 .doc
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CITY OF CHANHASSEN
CARVER AND HENNEPIN COUNTIES, MINNESOTA
ORDINANCE NO.
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING
CHAPTER 18, SUBDIVISIONS,
CHANHASSEN CITY CODE,
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHANHASSEN, MINNESOTA ORDAINS:
Section 1. Section 18-61 of the City Code, City of Chanhassen, Minnesota, is hereby
amended to read as follows:
Landscaping and tree preservation requirements.
(a) Required landscaping/residential subdivision.
(1) Each lot shall be provided with a minimum of one (1) deciduous or conifer tree to
be placed in the front yard. The type of tree shall be subject to city approval.
Coniferous trees must be at least eight (8) feet high and deciduous trees must be at
least two and one-half (2I/2) inches in diameter at the time of installation. This
requirement may be waived by the city where the applicant can demonstrate that a
suitable tree having a minimum diameter of two and one-half (21/2) inches for
deciduous and eight-foot height for conifers is located in an appropriate location
on the lot. The following trees may be used to meet planting requirements:
Scientific Name
Deciduous Trees
Common Name
Acer saccharum Maple, Sugar or hard
Carya ovala Shagbark Hickory
Celtis occidentalis Hackberry
Juglans nigra Black Walnut
Quercus rubra Oak, Red
Quercus alba Oak, White
Q~ercus bicolor Oak, Bicolor
Quercus macrocarpa Oak, Bur
Tilia americana Linden, American
Acer rubrum spp. Maple, Red, all varieties
Acer xfreemanii, spp. Maple, Freeman, all varieties
Acer sacc~harinum 'Sih,er Queen' Maple, Silver Queen
Aesculus glabra Ohio Buckeye
Betula nigra Birch, River
Betula papyrifera Birch, paper
Betula pendula 'Dalecarlica' Birch, cut leaf weeping
Catalpa speciosa Northern Catalpa
Fraximts spp. Ash, all varieties
Ginkgo biloba Ginkgo
Gleditsia triacanthos inermis, spp. Honeylocust, thornless ~ all varieties
Gymnocladus dioicus Coffeetree, Kentucky
Tilia spp. Linden, all varieties
Uhnus spp. ELM, DED-resistant varieties
Ornamental ]
Acer ginnala Maple, Amur
Amelanchier spp. [ Serviceberry or Juneberry
I
Crataegus spp. [ Hawthorn, all varieties
Malus spp. Crabapple, assorted flowering-Varieties,
Ostr),a virginiana Ironwood
Populus tremuloides Aspen
Sorbus spp. Ash, Mountain, all varieties
Phellodendron amurense Amur Corktree
Prunus cerasifera 'Newport' Plum, Newport
Prunux triloba Plum, flowering or Rose Tree of China
Prunus virginiana 'Schubert' Chokeberry, Schubert
Syringa reticulata Lilac, Japanese tree
Conifers
Abies balsamea Fir, Balsam
Abies concolor Fir, Concolor
Larix laricina Tamarack
Picea abies Spruce, Norway
Picea glauca Spruce, White
Picea glauca densata Spruce, Black Hills
Picea pungens Spruce, Colorado Green
Pinus nigra Pine, Austrian
Pinus ponderosa
Pine, Ponderosa
Pinus resinosa Pine, Norway
Pinus strobus Pine, White
Pinus sylvestris Pine, Scotch
Pseudotsuga menziesii Fir, Douglas
Thuja occidentalis Arborvitae
Thuja occidentalis 'Techny' Techny Arborvitae
(2)
The tree(s) must be installed prior to receiving a certificate of occupancy or
financial guarantees acceptable to the city must be provided to ensure timely
installation.
(3)
All areas disturbed by site grading and/or construction must be seeded or sodded
immediately upon completion of work to minimize erosion. When certificates of
occupancy are requested prior to the satisfaction of this requirement, financial
guarantees acceptable to the city, must be provided.
(4) No dead trees or uprooted stumps shall remain after development. On-site burial
or burning is not permitted.
(5)
Landscaped buffers around the exterior of the subdivision shall be required by the
city when the plat is contiguous with collector or arterial streets as defined in the
comprehensive plan and where the plat is adjacent to more intensive land uses.
Required buffering shall consist of berms and landscape material consisting of a
mix of trees and shrubs and/or tree preservation areas. No fences will be
permitted between the required buffer and the collector or arterial street. Where
appropriate, the city may require additional lot depth and area on lots containing
the buffer so that it can be adequately accommodated and the homes protected
from impacts. Lot depths and areas may be increased by twenty-five (25) percent
over zoning district standards. The landscape plan must be developed with the
preliminary and final plat submittals for city approval. Appropriate financial
guarantees acceptable to the city shall be required.
(b) It is the policy of the city to preserve natural woodland areas throughout the city and
with respect to specific site development to retain as far as practical, substantial tree
stands which can be incorporated into the overall landscape plan.
(c) No tree removal shall be permitted except as approved in a subdivision, planned unit
development or site plan application. Removal of trees prior to city approval will
result in the issuance of a citation. The cleared area shall be replanted at a rate of two
(2) times the DBH inches (DBH means diameter measured at breast height, 4.5 feet
above the ground) of trees removed, if known, or one (1) tree per 1,089 square feet of
replacement area with the required replacement area calculated at two (2) times the
canopy coverage area that was removed. Additionally, the development review
process shall be halted and the developer shall be required to resubmit revised
existing site condition and tree inventory plans and new landscaping plans
incorporating the additional planting requirements.
(d) The following standards shall be used in evaluating subdivisions and site plans:
It is a policy of the City of Chanhassen to protect the integrity of the natural
environment through the preservation, protection, and planting of trees. The city
finds that trees provide many benefits including: stabilization of the soil by the
prevention of erosion and sedimentation, reduction of storm water runoff and the
costs associated therewith, improvement of air quality, reduction of noise
pollution, control of urban heat island effect, protection and increase of property
values, protection of privacy, energy conservation through natural insulation,
control of drainage and restoration of denuded soil subsequent to construction and
grading, protection from severe weather, providing habitat for birds and other
wildlife, conservation and enhancement of city's physical and aesthetic
environment, reforestation of open lands, and general protection and enhancement
of the quality of life and general welfare of the city. It is therefore the purpose of
this section to provide regulations related to the cutting, removal, or killing of
trees on construction and development sites and to ensure the protection and
preservation of the natural environment and beauty of the City of Chanhassen.
(2)
Prior to the submittal of development plans, a tree survey of the site shall be
prepared by a registered landscape architect, licensed forester, or other
professional approved by the city. This survey shall include the species, DBH
size (DBH means diameter measured at breast height, 4.5 feet above the ground),
condition, location of all, trees over six inches in diameter and any damaged or
diseased trees on site. All significant special, damaged or diseased trees shall be
tagged and identified by number on the survey. A delineation of the existing
canopy coverage area(s) which outlines all areas covered by tree canopy shall be
included as part of the survey. Additionally, all damaged and diseased trees shall
be cataloged with the nature and extent of any damage or disease specified.
Based on this survey and either site observation and measurement or a current
aerial photograph (taken within one (1) year of the date of plan submittal)
interpretation, the following shall be calculated:
1. Base tine canopy coverage.
2. Minimum canopy coverage requirements.
4
The following table shall be used to determine the minimum amount of
canopy coverage that must be maintained or provided on-site as part of the
development. It shall represent the minimum canopy coverage, consisting of
existing tree canopy and/or additional trees required for the site. Existing
wetland and bluff areas located on site shall be excluded from the calculation
of site area in the determination of site coverage. If a forested area is to be
dedicated to the city for park land, then this area shall not be included in the
base line canopy coverage area calculation nor shall it count towards the
minimum canopy coverage for the site.
Base Line Canopy Coverage Per Acre
Comprehensive Plan Designation 80-- 60--79% 40--59% 20--39% 19% or
100% less
Commercial/industrial/institutional 28% 25% 20% 14% 10%
High density residential 35% 30% 25% 20% 15%
Medium density residential 40% 35% 30% 25% 20%
Low density residential 55% 46% 35% 30% 25%
Large lot residential 68% 56% 43% 35% 25%
Base line canopy coverage is the canopy coverage existing at the time the
development application is filed with the city. Minimum canopy coverage is
determined by using the matrix.
Priority shall be given to retaining stands of trees and undisturbed wooded
lands over individual specimen trees that will be incorporated into the
development. No more than ten (10) percent of the canopy retention
requirement may be met by an individual tree that is not included within a
designated woodland area.
For developments that do not meet the minimum canopy coverage, the
developer shall be required to develop a planting plan to bring the total
canopy coverage up to the minimum requirement.
For development that removes canopy area or trees that would otherwise be
used to meet the canopy coverage retention requirement, the developer shall
develop a replacement plan. The replacement plan must designate an area at
least one and two-tenths (1.2) times the removed canopy coverage area that
shall be planted with replacement trees for those removed. This plan shall
locate additional trees either as a continuation of existing stands of trees that
are to be preserved or create new stands of trees in desirable locations such as
along roadway corridors, on the north and west perimeters of the
development, in common open areas, or adjacent to park facilities.
The following criteria shall be followed in establishing minimum canopy
coverage:
1. When planting trees, one (1) tree shall be deemed to provide one
thousand eighty-nine (1,089) square feet of required canopy coverage;
2. Trees must be from the approved list of desirable species (preference
given for trees designated as native);
3. No more than one-third (~/3) of the trees may be from any one (1) tree
species;
4. Trees shall average at least two-and-one-half-inch caliper and may be
a minimum of one-and-one-half-inch caliper;
5. Not less than twenty (20) percent of the trees shall be conifers;
6. Conifer trees shall average seven (7) feet and shall be a minimum of
six (6) feet in height;
7. Plant materials used for the reforestation shall be of a similar species
as vegetation found on site;
8. Trees shall be used that are appropriate to the soil conditions found on
site; and
9. Trees shall be from certified nursery stock as defined and controlled
by Minnesota Statute sections 18.44 through 18.61, the Plant Pest Act.
(3)
In order to calculate the tree removal area of the single-family detached
development, the applicant must include the front 105 feet of the each lot within
the tree removal area of the development. If a front setback variance is
approved as part of the subdivision review process, the depth of the area
calculated for tree removal on the tot may be reduced by the amount of the front
yard setback variance.
(4) Minimizing the tree loss should be achieved by any combination of the following:
a. Realignment of streets, utilities and lot lines.
b. Consideration of alternative utility configurations such as the use of ejector
pumps, force mains, or revised home elevations to minimize grading.
c. Reductions in roadway width and right-of-way and increase in street grade up
to ten (10) percent when the applicant can demonstrate that significant tree
preservation is directly related to the modification.
d. Use of private streets in lieu of public streets.
e. Variation in street radius and design speed.
f. Modified grading plans.
g. Within PUDs, the city council may consider waiving minimum lot area
requirements and/or density transfers as long as it can be demonstrated by the
applicant, that tree preservation can be enhanced. In no case shall overall
project densities exceed what is allowed by the Comprehensive Plan. The
greater the level of preservation, the greater flexibility will be considered by
the city.
(9)
(6)
(7)
(8)
Within PUDs, variations to building setback lines provided a minimum twenty
(20) foot building separation is maintained between buildings on adjacent lots.
The setback variations shall be established and recorded as part of the plat
approval.
Trees designated for preservation shall be protected by snow fences with clearly
marked signage specifying that the area is off limits for construction activities,
or other means acceptable to the city, prior to land preparation or construction
activities. Protective barriers in locations determined by the city must remain in
place until all construction activities are terminated. No equipment, chemicals,
soil deposits, or construction materials shall be placed within the protective
barriers. All understory trees and natural vegetation should be preserved within
the boundaries of the protective areas. Where this protection area cannot be
maintained or would otherwise render lots undevelopable, an alternate
protection, mitigation or tree replacement plan may be considered and approved
by the city. This plan may include the use of retaining walls, installation of
aeration systems, requirement for post construction deep root fertilization and
soil aeration, or construction vehicle ramp systems.
At the city's discretion, conservation easements may be required to protect
designated tree preservation areas. Such easements shall be permanently
marked and signed as a conservation area with low profile monumentation
acceptable to the city. A monument is required for each three hundred (300)
linear feet of tree conservation area. Within designated woodland areas, the city
shall encourage the use of indigenous grasses and plant species to more closely
resemble a natural area. Home owners associations shall be responsible for the
maintenance of vegetation in common areas. Individual property owners shall
be responsible for the maintenance of vegetation on their property. The planting
of trees in excess of those required by this ordinance is permitted within the
designated woodland area.
During the removal process, trees shall be removed so as to prevent blocking of
public rights-of-way or interfering with overhead utility lines.
The removal of diseased and damaged trees is permissible only if they cannot be
saved. These trees shall not be counted when computing the base line tree
canopy coverage.
If any protected significant trees are removed or killed or there is a loss of trees as
the result of construction activities, the city requires replacement at the rate of two
(2) diameter inches per each inch of DBH of the removed, killed, or lost trees.
The replacement trees shall be at least two and a half (21/2) inches diameter and
will be species that conform to the List of Desirable Tree Species for Planting in
Chanhassen. No more than one-third (l/_0 of the trees may be from any one (1)
tree species. Other species or sizes may be used as replacement trees subject to
approval by the city. Alternately, at the city's discretion, if a developer removes
trees within a protected area, the canopy coverage area shall be calculated for that
area and a replacement area two (2) times the canopy coverage area that was
removed shall be planted. One tree shall be planted for each one thousand eighty-
nine (1,089) square feet of required replacement area. Trees shall be from the list
of desirable tree species, no more than one-third (/.0 of trees from any one (1)
tree species, average two4and-one-half-inch diameter with a minimum one-and-
one-half-inch diameter, a similar species as vegetation existing on site, and
appropriate to the soil conditions. For any replacement trees that cannot be
planted on the original site due to space restrictions, the developer shall pay the
city the value of the trees, including material and installation, in to the community
tree planting fund.
(10) Financial guarantees acceptable to the city shall be required to ensure
satisfactory installation of landscaping requirements.
Section. This ordinance shall be effective immediately upon its passage and publication.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this day of
City Council of the City of Chanhassen, Minnesota
.,2003, bythe
Todd Gerhardt, City Manager
Thomas A. Furlong, Mayor
(Published in the Chanhassen Villager on
CITY OF CHANHASSEN
CARVER AND HENNEPIN COUNTIES, MINNESOTA
SUMMARY OF ORDINANCE NO. __., AN ORDINANCE
AMENDING CHAPTER 18 OF THE CHANHASSEN CITY CODE
SUBDIVISIONS.
The purpose of this code amendment is to clarify minimum front yard landscaping
requirements; consolidate and clarify the tree lists; prohibit the burning of trees on site;
specify sanctions for the removal of trees prior to city approval of the plans; require that
trees six inches and larger shall be located on the tree survey; add that bluff areas are
excluded from canopy coverage area calculations; delete woodland management plan
requirements; clarify that the tree removal calculations for single-family detached housing
developments shall include the front 105 feet of a lot; require that the location of tree
protection fencing must be approved by the city; require that the replacement plantings for
the removal of trees that were approved for protection shall be two (2) times the canopy area
removed; and permit the developer to pay in to a city fund the value of trees required for
replacement of protected trees which can not be located on the site.
A printed copy of Ordinance No. __ is available for inspection by any person
during regular office hours at the office of the City Manager/Clerk.
PASSED, ADOPTED, AND APPROVED FOR PUBLICATION this __
2004, by the City Council of the City of Chanhassen.
day of
CITY OF CHANHASSEN
BY:
Thomas A. Furlong, Mayor
AND
Todd Gerhardt, City Manager/Clerk
(Published in the Chanhassen Villager on ).