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Date Application Received: NA Date Application Considered as Complete: NA 60-Day Review Period Expires: NA REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION Date: 23 April 2015 Item No. 4 Department Approval: Administrator Approval: Agenda Section: Name: Melanie Curtis mcc Planning Title: Planner Item Description: 15-3711 – Amend Chapter 86: Buildings and Building Regulations Ordinance Amend Sections 86-66 and 86-68 regarding landscape permits and survey requirements - Ordinance List of Exhibits: Exhibit A. Draft Ordinance – Amending Sections 86-66 & 86-68 Exhibit B. Proposed Survey and Site Plan Requirements Information Exhibit C. Existing Code Language: Sec. 86-66 & 86-68; and Sec. 78-966 – 78-968 In the Fall of 2014 staff presented a number of code amendments to the Council and Planning Commission for prioritization. Within the list of proposed amendments was a text amendment which proposed two things: 1) introduced a required separate zoning permit for landscaping for new home permits; and, 2) modified the requirement for submittal of a certificate of survey for minor building and site grading permits by allowing a site plan signed by a licensed professional if an existing survey is on file for small additions, decks, grading work, etc. As a housekeeping item, sign permits are not currently included within the list of required permits in Section 86-66 and should be added for consistency; additionally, permits for water wells are obtained through the Minnesota Department of Health, not the City, and therefore sould be removed from the City required permits. A large percentage of the post-building permit issues we encounter are associated with unpermitted or unapproved landscaping changes or additions to the building permit-approved plan. Often times a builder will have a plan prepared which meets the City’s requirements for grading, hardcover, etc but is not the finished landscape the homeowner desires. Therefore, upon the home’s completion a landscape professional will be contracted to provide a finished yard for the homeowner which may involve additional hardcover: patios, retaining walls, paths, etc, or modifies the approved grading plan. This results in a site that does not conform to the approved plan and delays the issuance of a certificate of occupancy. Staff proposes to institute a requirement for a separate landscaping (zoning) permit to be issued to the landscape contractor specifically prior to the commencement of any finished landscaping on the property. The builder and homeowner will be notified of this additional permit requirement at the time of building permit issuance to allow time for the homeowner to engage a landscape professional and develop a landscape plan well in advance of the final grading etc on the property. Staff has prepared a draft ordinance which accomplishes the following: 1.Adds sign permit to the list of required building permits in Section 86-66(a) and removes water wells; City Council Meeting April 27, 2015 Page 63 of 257