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<br />Standards section of the Zoning Code. Attached IS a black-lined versIOn of the proposed <br />regulations (Attachment B). <br /> <br />Staff has included Section 1325.05 and Section 1325.06 in their entirety in order to highlight the <br />reorganization that is required; however only those sections dealing with landscape requirements <br />were impacted by the changes. In addition, Section 1320, which also includes a number of <br />regulations regarding landscaping, is included in this report in its entirety (Attachment C). The <br />vast majority of this section has remained unchanged, and Staff is proposing only those <br />amendments that will update internal references and reduce redundancy and inconsistencies with <br />the new regulations; however, these proposed changes are minimal and do not reflect any policy <br />changes from the way the code is currently implemented. <br /> <br />The City Attorney has reviewed the proposed ordinance changes and his comments have been <br />implemented in the proposed amendments attached to this report. <br /> <br />Recommendation <br /> <br />The proposed amendments to the City's landscaping requirements do not represent a significant <br />departure from current City policy, even though the changes themselves are significant. Staff <br />believes that the intent of the regulations has been preserved, but the outcome from the <br />amendments will be greatly improved. Currently the landscaping requirements are vague and, as <br />such, difficult to evaluate. The proposed amendments will clarify the desired outcome and <br />consolidate the regulations within the Zoning Code in a way that will be easier to follow and <br />understand. <br /> <br />Staff recognizes that the proposed landscaping ordinance is comprehensive and has many <br />nuances. These regulations may need to be adjusted over time as they are put into practice and <br />Staff learns new and better ways to implement them. Staff also believes that the City's current <br />landscaping regulations are in need of improvement and that, as new projects come before the <br />Plarming Commission and City Council, greater clarity and leverage is required in order to <br />ensure that the outcome is the best possible development within the City. <br /> <br />At their April 2, 2008, meeting the Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval <br />of the proposed amendments to Section 1325 and Section 1320 of the City's Zoning Code, <br />regarding landscaping requirements. <br /> <br />Options <br /> <br />1. Approve the proposal as submitted. <br />2. Approve the proposal with changes <br />3. Deny the proposal. <br />4. Table for additional information. <br /> <br />City of Arden Hills <br />City Council Meetingfor Apri/28, 2008 <br /> <br />\\Metro-inet.uslardenhillsIPlanninglPlanning Cases\2008\08-013 Landscape Requirements (PC Approved)\042808 - CC Report - Landscaping <br />Requirements.doc <br /> <br />Page 2 of3 <br />