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2/22/2010 <br />Options for Median Landscaping <br />There are a wide variety of landscape treatments that can be applied to medians. A number of <br />factors go in to the decision of developing a policy related to median landscaping such as <br />developing a neighborhood identity, impact on the environment, initial cost, maintenance cost, <br />and compatibility with traffic. Not all medians exist in the same settings, some are in <br />generally residential neighborhoods, some in commercial or retail and others in more heavily <br />traveled highway commercial areas. Therefore it may be necessary to establish standards that <br />apply to each type of setting. The following summarizes a few of the options that have been <br />established in the past or contemplated for implementation: <br />Option 1 – Native Plantings <br />This option could include plantings much like are in <br />place along Orono Parkway. <br />Option 2 – Native Plantings with Perennial Planting End Caps <br />This option <br />would include both the native plantings as are inplace along Orono Parkway and <br />perennial plantings that have been added at the ends of the medians. <br />Option 3 – Turf grass <br />This option would include typical grass seed mixture to <br />establish turf. <br />Option 4 – Formal Planting Scheme <br />This option would be similar to those <br />proposed for Twin Lakes Road including varied planting of shrubs, flowers and trees. <br />Examples of these types of planting plans are shown in the appendix. <br />Option 5 – Hard Surface <br />This could include a number of materials for hard surface <br />such as concrete, colored concrete or concrete pavers. <br />Schedule <br />rd <br />As was mentioned above the medians in the new construction of 193 Avenue have been left <br />with no permanent landscaping to allow for discussion of the topic and a determination of a <br />median policy. The medians were temporarily stabilized with hydro mulch last fall. As part <br />of the NPDES permit issued by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency the City is required <br />to restore vegetative cover to the soil as the owner of the project. It is anticipated that work <br />should be scheduled to begin in late April or early May of 2010. If native plantings are to be <br />included, the site needs to be prepared and ready for planting by May 15. Native plantings <br />need to be planted within a narrow window to increase the chances for success. This window <br />strd <br />is from May 15th to June 1. Modifications to the existing medians along 193 between <br />Auburn Street and Xavier Street may be incorporated if a specific theme is intended to be <br />rd <br />maintained throughout the corridor. This work is expected to take place with traffic on 193 <br />Avenue. The following is a tentative schedule for the work: <br />March – City Council determine Landscape policy <br />April – Prepare request and collect quotes for work, Authorize contract <br />May thru June – Complete landscaping work <br />1 to 3 year warranty period depending on landscaping option <br />6 <br />