01-10 Bill No. 2023-1
BILL NO. 2023-1
AN ORDINANCE AMENDMENT MODIFYING SECTION 544 OF THE ZONING CODE IN
RELATION TO LANDSCAPING REQUIREMENTS
THE CITY OF RICHFIELD DOES ORDAIN:
Section 1 Subsection 544.03, Subdivision 4 of the Richfield Zoning Code is amended to
revise only item c) as it relates to percentages of tree species, all subsequent
items to remain unchanged, to read as follows:
Subd. 4. General landscaping requirements. The City intends that each new
landscaping and screening plan be designed to a high level of quality because of
the needs imposed by the relatively high development densities and land values in
Richfield. Designers shall strive to meet the standards outlined in Subdivisions 4
through 7, below. However, the Director shall review and decide the adequacy of
each landscaping and screening design based on whether or not it meets the intent
of this ordinance. The Director shall advise the Planning Commission as part of
Site Plan Review.
a) Area to be landscaped: 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 overstory trees, understory trees, shrubs, flowers and ground
cover materials.
b) Materials: The plan for landscaping shall include ground cover, shrubs, trees,
public art, walls, fences, decorative walks or other features or materials
acceptable to the Director.
c) Tree types and species: For sites requiring ten (10) trees or more as
determined by Subd.5 for residential sites and Subd.6 for commercial sites, not
more than 50 25 percent of the required trees shall be composed of one
species. No required tree or shrub shall be any of the following:
i. A species of the genus Ulmus (elm), except those elms bred to be immune
to Dutch elm disease;
ii. Box elder Those trees and shrubs listed by the DNR as invasive; or
iii. Female ginko.
d) through k): no change
Section 2 Subsection 544.03, Subdivision 5 of the Richfield Zoning Code is amended to
modify tree requirements for multi-family dwellings, to read as follows:
Subd. 5. Residential sites. Residential sites shall be landscaped to improve the
livability, beauty and value of housing; to screen and mitigate views of large
parking areas; to reduce the effect of traffic noise; to provide shade; and to help
protect water quality.
a) Quantities. These requirements are in addition to any plantings in the public
street right-of-way whether installed by the land developer or the City.
Single- and Two-Family
Dwellings
Multiple-Family Dwellings
Overstory
deciduous
trees
1 per dwelling unit 3 to 6 units:
1 tree per dwelling
unit
1 more than 6 units:
0.5 trees per dwelling unit.
Coniferous
trees
May be substituted on a one-for-one basis for the overstory deciduous trees.
Ornamental
deciduous
trees
1 per dwelling unit None required. May be substituted on a 1.5-for-one
basis for a max of 25% of the
overstories planted on site.
Understory
shrubs
Foundation plantings are
required in all areas
visible from the public
street.
Foundation plantings are required in all visible areas.
b) Commercial edges. The density and initial size of plantings shall be increased
along nonresidential edges and may be combined with berms, walls and fences
to achieve the objective of protecting the values, quietude and privacy of the
housing. Landscaping on the adjacent nonresidential property may not be
substituted for plantings on the residential property.
Section 3 Subsection 544.03, Subdivision 8 of the Richfield Zoning Code is amended to
expand alternatives to on-site tree planting, to read as follows:
Subd. 8. Streetscape plans and boulevard alternative plantings.
a) Streetscape plans. In areas where a district or street-specific planting plan has
been adopted by the City Council for the public street right-of-way, development
must provide landscaping as set forth in that streetscape plan. Streetscape
plantings located within the property lines of the site may be credited toward the
required number of trees and shrubs but plantings in the public right-of-way shall
not. Landscaping placed or removed in the public right-of-way must receive City
approvals for right-of-way plantings and must conform to City right-of-way planting
policies.
b) Boulevard plantings. In instances of constrained sites (509.25 Subd.6),
landscape standards may be met through boulevard plantings under a permit from
the Richfield Public Works Department.
b) Alternative plantings. If the development property does not contain sufficient area
or it is otherwise not practical to plant the required trees on the development property
as determined by the Community Development Director (or designee), then the trees
may be planted on public property (e.g.: parks, boulevards, right-of-way). Plantings
must be approved by either the Recreation Services Director (or designee) or the
Public Works Director (or designee). Alternatively, an equivalent amount may be
paid into the City’s Public Tree Planting Fund for planting of trees on public property
on behalf of the development. The rate shall be per caliper inch and shall be set by
Appendix D of the City Code.”
Section 4 Appendix D of the Richfield Municipal Code is amended to add the public tree
fund amount, to read as follows:
Appendix D – License, Permit and Miscellaneous Fees
ZONING, LAND USE AND RELATED CHARGES
Type of Permit
or License
Section
Requiring
Description Fee
(18) Public Tree
Planting Fund
544.03 Subd.8 For the planting of trees in public parks
or public boulevards.
$160.00
per
caliper
inch.
Section 5 This Ordinance is effective in accordance with Section 3.09 of the Richfield City
Charter.
Passed by the City Council of the City of Richfield, Minnesota this 10th day of January, 2023.
Mary B. Supple, Mayor
ATTEST:
Chris Swanson, Acting City Clerk