5.1. PCSR 06-13-2006 - Laserfiche WebLink

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vi. Leisure activities such as hiking, nature studies, canoeing, boating and horseback riding, including facilities such as nature trails and docks which allow for such activities are permitted in the buffer strip. B. Wetland Buffer Strip Setback A m;n;mum 20 (twenty) foot setback from the wetland buffer is hereby established by the City. No structure, principle or accessory, shall be located within this setback. Nature trails, at the City's approval, maybe located within the setback area. Fences may encroach into the buffer strip setback, but at no time shall they be allowed within the wetland buffer. Vegetation Standards A. Where acceptable natural vegetation exists in wetland and wetland buffer strip areas, the retention of such vegetation in an undisturbed state is required unless an Applicant receives approval to replace such vegetation. A wetland and/or wetland buffer strip has acceptable natural vegetation if it: 1. has a continuous, dense layer of perennial grasses that have been uncultivated or unbroken for at least 5 consecutive years, or 2. has an overstory of trees and/or shrubs with at least 80 percent canopy closure that have been uncultivated or unbroken for at least 5 consecutive years, or 3. contains a mixture of the plant communities described in (1) and (2) above that have been uncultivated or unbroken for at least 5 consecutive years. B. Notwithstanding the performance standards set forth above in Subdivision 9 (A), the City Environmental Administrator and/or his/her designee may determine existing wetland and/or wetland buffer strip vegetation to be unacceptable if it: 1. is composed of Weeds (including, but not limited to common buckthorn, purple loosestrife, leafy spurge and/or noxious weeds as defined by Minnesota Statutes, Sections 18.76-18.88), or 2. has topography that tends to channelize the flow of surface runoff, resulting in erosion issues, or 3 ~~~ ~~m° ~~~°° -°°~~~ ~* is unlikely to retain nutrients and sediment. C. Where wetlands and/or wetland buffer strips, or a portion thereof, are not vegetated or have been cultivated or otherwise disturbed within 5 years of the permit application, such areas shall be re-planted and maintained. The wetland and wetland buffer strip landscaping shall be planted according to the City's planting guidelines or the applicant shall submit a planting plan for approval by the City. Variances Refer to variance section. S:\PLANNING\Case Files12006\OA\OA 06-04 City of ER WetlandlWetland Buffer Ordinance.doc