Oakdale

The Future of Oakdale: A Policy Path from Comprehensive Plan to Sustainable Reality

ESPM 4041W - Problem Solving for Environmental Change

Report #1/7

Laura DorleElizabeth Harries

Gretel LeeBrandon Piekarski

John Sisser

Fall 2013

T H E C I T Y O F

Table of Contents

List of Figures ........................................................................................... iiList of Tables ............................................................................................ iiAcknowledgments .................................................................................... iiiExecutive Summary ................................................................................. ivIntroduction ................................................................................................ 1

Background .......................................................................................... 1About Oakdale ..................................................................................... 1Report Framework ............................................................................... 2Class Vision ......................................................................................... 3Goals and Objectives ........................................................................... 3

Methods ..................................................................................................... 4Site Description .................................................................................... 4Research Techniques ........................................................................... 6

Findings and Recommendations .............................................................. 10Immediate Action ............................................................................... 10Mid-range Action and Development ................................................. 20Long-term Implementation and Adaption ......................................... 26

Conclusion ............................................................................................... 32References ................................................................................................ 32

Appendix A: Land Use TablesAppendix B: Metropolitan CouncilAppendix C: Coding MethodologyAppendix D: Standard City Interview ScriptAppendix E: Mayoral Interview GuideAppendix F: City Council Focus Group GuideAppendix G: Oakdale Site DescriptionAppendix H: Oakdale Coding ResultsAppendix I: Hopkins Coding ResultsAppendix J: Maplewood Coding ResultsAppendix K: Woodbury Coding ResultsAppendix L: Soil Erosion Control Plan OrdinancesAppendix M: Maplewood Renewable Energy OrdinancesAppendix N: Woodbury Renewable Energy OrdinancesAppendix O: Greensteps Practice Criteria RatingAppendix P: Environmental Purchasing Policy in MaplewoodAppendix Q: Ramsey County Deer Management Strategies

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List of Figures

Figure 1: Map of Twin Cities and Oakdale inset ....................................... 4Figure 2: Governance flowchart, City of Oakdale ..................................... 5Figure 3: GreenStep Cities Best Practices Evaluation ............................... 9

List of Tables

Table 1: Oakdale synthesized coding results ........................................... 10Table 2: GreenStep Cities Program benefits and criteria for

implementation .................................................................................. 22

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Acknowledgments

We would like to express the deepest appreciation to the following City of Oakdalepersonnel for their guidance and contribution to this report: Jennifer Hassebroek,Senior Community Developer; Chris Larson, Environmental ServicesSuperintendent/Oakdale City Forester; Brian Bachmeier, City of Oakdale Engineer;Jeff Koesling, Parks Superintendent; Jim Romanik, Public Works Streets Supervisor.We also extend a thank you to the Oakdale City Council members and the mayor fortaking the time to talk with us about their community, and to all other officials andresidents of Oakdale for welcoming us to their community to do this work.

In addition, we would also like to express appreciation to the city staff ofMaplewood, Woodbury, and Hopkins, Minnesota, for their willing participation tohelp further our research regarding this report.

Lastly, thank you to our University of Minnesota instructors: Dr. Kristen Nelson,Department of Forest Resources and Department of Fisheries, Wildlife andConservation Biology; Extension Professor Gary Johnson, Department of ForestResources, and Amanda Meyer, graduate student, Natural Resources Science andManagement program and teaching assistant for their guidance and supportthroughout the project.

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Executive Summary

Policy is an important part of planning for the sustainable use of natural resourcesbecause it describes and codifies a vision, and provides structure to and a plan for theimplementation of goals. This report was drafted as a resource for the City ofOakdale, Minnesota, to help guide its policy decisions as well as add cohesion to itscurrent policy framework and the goals laid out in various written plans. Oakdale sawa need to have more integration in this area, thus this report and the six other reportsthat are included in this series were developed by students in the EnvironmentalSciences, Policy, and Management senior capstone course at the University ofMinnesota, Twin Cities.

The report provides useful information to support Oakdale in their future naturalresource and sustainability policy formation and provides recommendations forconsideration and action. Ideas were analyzed and integrating to decide on the mostappropriate policy next steps for the community based on information frominterviews with city officials and staff within Oakdale and nearby communities, afocus group with the city council members, document coding, literature reviews, andobservations.

The findings that contributed to the recommendations included example ordinancesand practices from other cities, standout statements from interviews, GreenStep Citiesbest practices that were most effective, and time and cost efficient, and exampleactions from the literature.

Exploring options over time, in the Immediate Action section, the ordinances and thenatural resource goals from the 2030 Comprehensive Plan are compared to see ifthere are any major gaps that Oakdale can address in the short term. By talking to cityofficials from neighboring communities—Woodbury, Maplewood, andHopkins—and evaluating their city code against Oakdale’s, steps were found thatOakdale could take to move their natural resource policy forward. The Mid-rangeAction and Development section focuses on the GreenStep Cities Program and foundbest practices that Oakdale has and has not implemented and makesrecommendations for Oakdale to improve their ranking now and into the future. Thefinal section, Long-term Implementation and Adaptation, builds off of the first twosections describing next steps that can be implemented on a gradual or distant futurebasis.

Recommendations—Immediate Action

• Integrate the Comprehensive Plan into city ordinances and zoning codes• Add to the development and maintenance of greenway corridors and passive open

spaces• Address stormwater, shoreland, and general water management

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• Protect historic resources• Develop a soil erosion control plan• Consider city-wide renewable energy options

Recommendations—Mid-range Action and Development

• Incorporate Efficient City Growth practices• Implement Conservation Design Best practices• Implement Complete Green Streets• Create an environmental purchasing policy• Implement Parks and Trails practices• Foster intercity GreenStep collaboration and monitoring

Recommendations—Long-term Implementation and Adaptation• Develop a sustainability chapter in the Comprehensive Plan• Create a clear policy on open space preservation, vegetative cover, and use• Form a cultural diversity commission• Investigate additional considerations for the future like utilizing cluster

development concepts

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Introduction

Background

The importance of policy in municipal environmental planning should not beunderstated. Creating a sustainable natural resource policy framework benefits theOakdale community by providing consistency in decision-making, legitimacy formanagement actions, and a structure to turn Oakdale’s sustainability goals and vision,as outlined in the Comprehensive Plan (2010) into a reality. Policy creates andcodifies a vision, and provides structure to help foster a holistic management system.

This report provides recommendations for the development of a policy framework forthe City of Oakdale, MN, that adds cohesion and an outside perspective to many ofthe initiatives the city has already taken. It was completed in the fall of 2013 by fivestudent researchers in the University of Minnesota’s Environmental Sciences, Policy,and Management (ESPM) undergraduate program in collaboration with the City ofOakdale. This report contains a review of Oakdale’s relevant ordinances andpolicies, an identification of the gaps and discrepancies that exist between the citycode and the natural resource goals laid out in the city’s comprehensive plan (2010) ,and recommendations to aid Oakdale in taking future steps in order to achieve theirhighlighted goals.

One of the most important aspects of policy is the vision it helps create, and moreimportantly codifies, providing the foundation for the city to plan and manage in sucha way that moves that vision forward (Costanza, 2010). It is particularly important forsustainability issues because it involves especially complex problems that traverse awealth of different disciplines (Costanza, 2010; Rittel and Webber, 1973).

Moreover, policy, with its well-defined process, provides structure to theimplementation of goals defined by comprehensive plans, other planning documents,elected officials, and the general citizenry (Van Meter et al., 1975).

However, it is not simply the creation of policy that makes a difference in these areas.The implementation of policy is consistently cited as one of the toughest aspects ofthe policy process and also one of the most important (Van Meter et al., 1975;Sabatier, 1980; McLaughlin and Wallin, 1987). The phrase, “It is easier said thandone,” emphasizes this difficulty of taking action rather than simply planning for it.

About Oakdale

Oakdale is a small, suburban city nestled in the eastern Twin Cities metropolitan areawith a population of close to 30,000 that continues to grow and diversify (U.S.Census Bureau, 2010). Drive around the city and it is immediately evident thatOakdale is a thriving community committed to natural resource preservation and

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education. It is dotted with beautiful parks such as the beloved Walton Park,recreational areas like the Discovery Center and the Nature Preserve, an educationalfacility with grand windows overlooking a woodlot and trail system. Despite thelimited resources of a small city, Oakdale has done a wonderful job at laying out itsvision and commitment to a sustainable environment by developing a ComprehensivePlan (2010) and their Generation Green Sustainability Plan (2013). However, there isa need for greater consistency between the vision in the different written plans andthe concrete management and policy taking place (Hassebroek, 2013). This isespecially important as Oakdale begins redrafting the newest version of theirComprehensive Plan due to be published in 2018 (2010).

Report Framework

In order to address planning goals and policy considerations across a range oftemporal scales, this report is organized into the following sections: ImmediateAction, Mid-range Action and Development, and Long-term Implementation andAdaptation. This report is organized in the following timeframe to provide structurefor implementation and give time realistic suggestions to be implemented.

Immediate ActionThis portion of the framework focuses on the following two years, 2014 to 2016. Itcompares goals outlined in the Comprehensive Plan to the existing ordinances in thecity code, identifies gaps in implementation, and describes examples of howneighboring communities have addressed these policy areas. Given that there isalready a base for these recommendations via Oakdale and other communities’current ordinance codes, these recommendations are able to be immediatelyimplemented.

Mid-range Action and DevelopmentThis section focuses on the time period of 2017 to 2020. It lays out a reviewconducted of Oakdale’s progress within the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’sGreenStep Cities program and identifies accomplishments and opportunities toimprove the city's rating. While Oakdale is already a participant in the voluntaryprogram, these recommendations focus on slightly larger-scale projects that may takeseveral years to implement and modify. Therefore, these suggestions werecategorized as mid-range action and development. A comparison of other cities’progress in GreenStep also helps to highlight the realities of accomplishing theprogram which includes examples of GreenStep best practices that worked well forother cities and potential challenges with implementing certain practices.

Long-term Implementation and Adaptation The final portion examines the Oakdale community from a broad perspective,focusing on how it fits within the growing Twin Cities metropolitan area through2030 and beyond. Using information about future environmental planning from city

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officials, regional planners, and urban planning scholars, it identifies guidingsustainability principles to address potential long-term social and environmentalchanges, large-scale planning projects, and envisions important policy considerationsand adaptations that are consistent with the city’s long-range goals and desiredquality of life.

Class Vision

This report is the first of seven interconnected reports created for the city of Oakdaleby the 2013 Environmental Sciences, Policy, and Management capstone course. Thefollowing is the vision statement for this comprehensive set of documents:

“We aim to create a cohesive, achievable set of recommendations incollaboration with the Oakdale community to enhance the vitality and qualityof life, sustainability of the local land and waters, and foster greatercommunity engagement now and into the future.”

Goals and Objectives

The report goal is to provide a natural resource policy framework for the City ofOakdale that both identifies gaps in the city’s existing policies and planning goals andprovides a vision to guide planning and decision-making through 2030.

In order to accomplish the above goal, the following objectives guided the researchand development of this report:

• Review existing city ordinances in relation to Oakdale’s natural resource goalsoutlined in the 2030 Comprehensive Plan.

• Identify gaps between current policies in the City Code and 2030 ComprehensivePlan goals.

• Review ordinances in similar, neighboring municipalities to better understandhow Oakdale can address policy gaps.

• Recommend policy options to meet the immediate needs and long-term naturalresource goals of the community.

• Create a long-term vision and a set of guiding principles to direct policydecision-making beyond the foreseeable future.

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Methods

Site Description

Oakdale is one of the many municipalities that make up the Minneapolis/St. Paulmetropolitan area (Figure 1). This region is the largest metropolitan area in the stateof Minnesota and is comprised of seven counties: Anoka, Ramsey, Washington,Hennepin, Carver, Scott, and Dakota. It is home to roughly 3 million people, abouthalf of the state’s population. Minneapolis/St. Paul is located on the UpperMississippi River, and is a major metropolitan center due to its history of industryand transportation as a result of its location. Several Fortune 500 companies havetheir headquarters located in this metro area, one of which, 3M, calls Oakdale itshome.

Figure 1: Map of Twin Cities and Oakdale inset.

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Nearly 30,000 people live within the 12-square miles of Oakdale city limits (U.S.Census, 2010; Met Council, 2013). The majority of its citizens are Caucasian, butthere is a rapidly growing minority population. Additionally, residents are welleducated with the majority holding at least a high school diploma. The city is largelymade up of residential land use, which has important implications for how naturalresources are managed. For a more in-depth look at Oakdale’s land use see AppendixA: Land Use Tables.

Larger metropolitan areas require more extensive governance to help maintain andmonitor such heavily populated areas (Figure 2). Unique to the metro area, theMetropolitan Council (Met Council) is a regional governing body that helps promote

Figure 2: Governance flowchart, City of Oakdale.

*The Metropolitan Council is a subdivision of the state government, as the 17 members are appointed by thegovernor. It largely does not apply to the rest of the state of Minnesota outside of the seven-county metropolitanarea.**Oakdale includes three distinct watershed districts: Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District, ValleyBranch Watershed District, and South Washington Watershed District.

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cohesion among the many municipalities in Minneapolis/St. Paul (Met Council,2013). It is comprised of a 17-member policy board appointed by the governor, all ofwhom are largely responsible for the advancement of new, major projects in the area.The Met Council will be an important partner for Oakdale as it develops and adaptsits policy and management in the context of the broader region. For more informationon the Metropolitan Council please refer to Appendix B: Metropolitan Council.

Watershed districts and Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs) also play animportant regional role. Three watershed districts cover the area of Oakdale:Washington-Ramsey to the southwest, Valley Branch to the northeast, and SouthWashington to the southeast. The Washington Conservation District is the SWCDcharged with aiding in projects that assure the conservation of Oakdale’s soil andwater resources.

Research Techniques

ObservationsObservations were made at an Oakdale City Council meeting on September 24, 2013.Observing city meetings is an important method because it allows easy insight intothe city governance procedures and current issues. Some of the issues may be so newthat they have not been previously discussed in a city meeting or identified in citydocuments. Insights noted during this observation were helpful in developinginterview questions, in defining concepts for coding in the city ordinances, and inidentifying issues of concern that had not been previously identified.

Comprehensive Plan Natural Resource Chapter and City Code ComparisonIn order to identify the gaps that exist between the Comprehensive Plan NaturalResources Chapter and the city ordinances and zoning code, a comparative analysiswas completed. Identifying gaps between these documents will help identify areaswhere the city is lacking implementation of the visions described in theComprehensive Plan Natural Resource Chapter. Analyzing these documents isimportant because they both guide natural resource management practices within thecity.

The purpose and importance of a Comprehensive Plan is to lay out a vision for thefuture of a city and create a strategic map to achieve the vision. Preparation of aComprehensive Plan is mandatory in the seven-county metropolitan area as part ofthe regional planning effort of the Metropolitan Council. Comprehensive Plans areimportant because they help guide reasonable and rational development decisions thatproduce a safe, equitable distribution of land uses. Besides helping guidedecision-making, Comprehensive Plans also provide legal legitimacy if a particularaction or ordinance is challenged (League of Minnesota Cities, 2013, p. 7). Without aComprehensive Plan, zoning ordinances need detailed information regarding their

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necessity, which is why assessing Oakdale’s current Comprehensive Plan NaturalResource Goals to what already exists in the ordinance code is so important.

In an effort to synchronize Oakdale’s Comprehensive Plan Natural Resource Goalswith Oakdale’s ordinance code, gaps between the two were identified. Identifyinggaps was done by coding the natural resource goals of Oakdale’s ComprehensivePlan and comparing the coding results to Oakdale’s current ordinances and zoning.Coding the natural resource goals was accomplished by choosing the keywords ofeach of the three goals and all of the relevant synonyms related to each of thesechosen words. Then, using the chosen word indicators and synonyms, searched forthese words within Oakdale’s ordinance code to see if they have been addressed inthe code already. For example, the first goal for Oakdale’s natural resources is to:“Continuously pursue a balance between Oakdale’s built environment and its naturalresource system” (City of Oakdale, 2010, p. 6-2). The key words in this goal are“built environment,” “natural resource system,” and “balance.” This coding processproduced data directly comparing the city’s natural resource comprehensive planninggoals with specific policies from Oakdale’s city code, allowing us to identify gapsand similarities between the two documents. For a complete list of Oakdale’s 2030Comprehensive Plan Natural Resource goals and the coding words utilized, see Appendix C: Coding Methodology.

Once the review of Oakdale’s ordinance code and Comprehensive Plan goals wascomplete, the same coding methods were applied to three other city codes in the TwinCities metro area. In this analysis, the keywords identified from Oakdale’s 2030Comprehensive Plan goals were used to review the city codes of Maplewood,Woodbury, and Hopkins, MN. This comparison allowed us to determine whetherthese cities were able to address the keyword indicators more or less so than Oakdale.If so, then their code can be used as an example for Oakdale to address the gap foundthrough coding. The cities in this analysis were selected using three criteria (the samecriteria used in the Minnesota GreenStep Cities program comparison): population,development classification, and geographic location in relation to Oakdale.

InterviewsQualitative interviews can provide insight into complex concepts and long-termgoals. By answering open-ended questions, those who are interviewed are able toexpand beyond a simple “yes-no” response and provide not only more information,but more context and interpretation.

City staff, officials, and outside experts were strategically sampled based on theirrelevance to the topic of interest. All interviews were conducted face-to-face so as tominimize the disadvantages of asynchronous communication, which include theinability to view the interview setting and visible social cues (Opdenakker, 2006). Ineach interview, we recorded detailed notes for further analysis. All interviews wererecorded with the permission of those interviewed. The audio from the interviewswas used to verify information in the interview notes.

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City staff and experts were generally asked 10 to15 open-ended questions. Across allinterviews relating to a specific portion of the report (i.e., the GreenStep Citiesprogram), several questions were standardized. This allowed us to compare andcontrast a range of answers while controlling for the way a particular question isworded.

Immediately following an interview, we identified notes of recurring themes orconcepts, within a single interview and later across multiple interviews. These notesprovided “memory jogs” for any later analysis (Burnard, 1991). Next, all notes weretyped and read in full. When a concept of particular importance was identified, theinterview audio was reviewed to provide the exact language used by the city staff andexperts. Key quotes were then pulled into a separate file and reviewed for common orunique words, themes, or concepts. The final step in the interview analysis processwas to organize the data in order to compare and contrast answers to key questions aswell as detect patterns. Appendix D: Standard City Interview Script and Appendix E:Mayoral Interview Guide provides a list of the questions asked.

Focus GroupSince the City Council is the primary governance body in Oakdale as in anymunicipality, it was important to gather feedback from the City Council membersregarding their idea of sustainability, perceived opportunities and issues, as well theirvision for the future of Oakdale. A focus group was conducted with the four CityCouncil members consisting of two parts 1) a time for individual reflection of themembers to think about important ideas, and 2) a discussion period whereby themembers interacted with one another in conversation about Oakdale and its place insustainability now and in the future. Appendix F: City Council Focus Group Guideprovides a list of the focus group questions. The discussion was recorded andanalyzed by pulling out important responses that incorporated respective definitionsof sustainability, their vision for Oakdale, and what they perceived to be the biggestchallenges and opportunities in making progress toward environmental sustainability.

Literature ReviewTo compare Oakdale’s vision of sustainability as discussed by Oakdale’s current CityCouncil members and natural resource goals to a broader national and global context,a review was conducted of sustainable planning and policy literature from multipleexpert perspectives. The University of Minnesota’s Library System database wasused in this search, utilizing keywords such as: “sustainability,” “urban growth,”“sustainable development,” “suburban,” “sustainable cities,” and “urbanenvironmental planning.” These keywords were chosen because of their relevance toOakdale’s current vision and goals in the natural resources section of theirComprehensive Plan.

GreenStep Cities AssessmentMinnesota GreenStep Cities is a voluntary program to help Minnesota cities achievetheir sustainability goals, gain recognition for achieving those goals, and challenge

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them to further those goals. This program, managed by the Minnesota PollutionControl Agency (MPCA) and its partners, is based upon 28 best practices. Eachpractice can be implemented by completing one or more actions (MPCA, 2013).

Three other cities were selected to be compared to Oakdale regarding theimplementation of Minnesota GreenStep Cities program. These cities wereMaplewood, Woodbury, and Hopkins, MN. The cities were selected based on threecriteria: 1) their rating in the MPCA GreenStep Cities program, 2) the city’sclassification as designated by the GreenStep program, and 3) the region/location ofthe city in relation to Oakdale. All of the selected cities were rated one step higher inGreenStep than Oakdale. All of the selected cities had the same development/land useclassification in GreenStep as Oakdale. Finally, all of the selected cities are in thesame metropolitan area (Twin Cities) as Oakdale.

Comparing Oakdale to these selected cities will help guide Oakdale in theirGreenStep participation, using these cities as a reference for how many practicesOakdale could realistically implement, the amount of resources they can reasonablyinvest in the GreenStep program, and how successful this program has been for othercities of comparable size, staff, and location.

Certain GreenStep best practices are recommended to Oakdale based on four criteria:1) time, in years, required to complete the best practice, 2) cost to implement the bestpractice, 3) the effectiveness of the best practice at attaining Oakdale’s naturalresource goals, and 4) how much of the specific practice Oakdale has alreadyaccomplished (Figure 3).

Figure 3: GreenStep Cities Best Practices Evaluation.

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Findings and Recommendations

Immediate Action

FindingsBased on the information provided in Appendix G: Oakdale Site Description, thecities of Woodbury, Maplewood, and Hopkins were deemed similar in size andcharacteristics to compare to Oakdale. A list of applicable ordinances from thesecities was compiled to compare with those of Oakdale and identify opportunitieswhere improvements can be made. Additionally, these cities were selected because oftheir participation in the GreenStep Cities Program and are similar to Oakdale invalues surrounding the protection of natural resources and community involvement inthat process.

There are two key findings associated with immediate action recommendations. First,all of Oakdale’s natural resource goals, besides use of the Minnesota Land CoverClassification System, are addressed to varying degrees within their currentordinances and zoning codes. An example of partial coverage comes from the goalsrelated to greenway corridors. Several ordinances help establish the components thatmake up greenway corridors but the terms “greenway corridor” and “greenway” arenot mentioned anywhere within Oakdale’s ordinances or zoning codes. The secondmain finding is that there are many similarities in ordinances across all four cities. For example, each of these cities has an ordinance for a tree preservation plan in theircity, prohibition of activities damaging to natural resources in public spaces, and theability to require open spaces in planned unit developments. These findings wereidentified after coding for Oakdale’s comprehensive plan natural resource goals in theordinances and zoning codes of Oakdale, Hopkins, Maplewood, and Woodbury.Table 1 demonstrates the number of times an ordinance was identified to beaccomplishing a goal. The discussion following will give an example for each goaland the degree to which the goal is covered.

Table 1: Oakdale synthesized coding results.

Goals

Number oftimes

identified

Goal 1: Balance of the built environment and natural environment. 25

Goal 1(a), 2(b) and 3: Conservation and enhancement/restoration of natural resources. 33

Goal 1(a) and 3(d): Creation/establishment, maintenance, and restoration of greenway corridors. 6

Goal 1(b): Functionality and compatibility of adjacent land uses. 20

Goal 2 and 2(a): Establishment, preservation, and maintenance of open spaces. 7

Goal 3(c): Implementation of reforestation plan. 1

Goal 3(a): Implementation of Minnesota Land Cover Classification System (MLCCS) 0

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See Appendix H: Oakdale Coding Results for a detailed description of which goalshave been accomplished, how they have been accomplished, and what section of theordinances or codes was identified. Appendix I: Hopkins Coding Results, AppendixJ: Maplewood Coding Results, and Appendix K: Woodbury Coding Results displaythe sections of each respective city’s relevant ordinances or zoning codes that wereidentified using code words.

“Balance” represented in goal 1 was the first search. An example for the code wordbalance comes from chapter 21, section 21-10(b) of Oakdale’s ordinance. Thissection allows the city to require open space/natural resource areas in subdivisionplans. This tool can help balance subdivision developments and the amount of naturalenvironment that is impacted. Goals 1(a), 2(b), and 3 seek to “conserve,” “restore,”and “enhance” natural resources and accomplishment of this goal was observed 33times in Oakdale’s ordinances and zoning codes. An example of the code word“conservation” comes from chapter 21, sections 5-9(c-d) and 21-27(c). These sectionsminimize soil erosion in development projects, which aids in reducing the negativeimpacts of stormwater runoff on natural resources. These goals have been partiallycompleted because not all natural resources were balanced, conserved, enhanced,and/or restored to the same degree. For example, the historic natural resource is notafforded any protections under current ordinances or zoning codes. The historicresource is offered protection in Woodbury’s code within the residential zoningdistricts and in Hopkins and Maplewood as a point of consideration duringdevelopments. Other resources, such as air, land, soil, and water were affordedsimilar protections in all four cities.

An example of goals 1(a) and 3(d) being accomplished in relation to greenwaycorridors comes from chapter 24 section 24-1. This section disallows landowners tolet vegetation go to seed or grow in bike paths, which can be part of greenwaycorridor systems. Preventing unwelcome vegetation aids in “maintaining” greenwaycorridors. The major component of these goals missing from Oakdale’s ordinancesand codes is that neither the term greenway corridor nor greenway are foundanywhere within the current language. The term greenway has been incorporated intoWoodbury’s ordinances and can be required in planned unit developments whenappropriate.

An example for goal 1(b) comes from chapter 5, section 5-9(a) and chapter 21,section 21-29(a). These sections require that developments do not result in drainagethat could lead to the potential flooding of “adjacent” properties. This helps ensurethat adjacent properties can retain their ability to “function.” This goal was coveredcomprehensively in Oakdale’s ordinances and codes and no examples to further thisgoal were found within other cities’ ordinances.

Goals 2 and 2(a) deal with open space and an example of maintenance of “openspace” comes from chapter 21, section 21-29(f) where approved landownerassociations are responsible for maintaining common open space in subdivisions. One

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example to expand on open space “preservation” comes from Hopkins and theconcept of passive open spaces. Passive open spaces promote recreational uses onopen space sites.

The goal of “reforestation” in 3(c) is covered in Oakdale’s requirement for a treepreservation plan during development and the same plan is required in Maplewoodand Woodbury. No other examples of reforestation efforts were identified inordinances or codes. Specific mention of the MLCCS in relation to goal 3(a) was notidentified in Oakdale or any other city.

An additional gap discovered while coding was the lack of the term “comprehensiveplan” in Oakdale’s ordinances and code. The term is mentioned 10 times withinOakdale’s current language. The intent, purpose, and goals of the comprehensive planare not mentioned. Identified sections reference the comprehensive plan with respectto “considering,” “conforming to,” and “being consistent with” the plan. InWoodbury’s subdivision ordinance (21-3) and zoning ordinance (24-2) the vision andguiding principles of the comprehensive plan are incorporated. Within the intentsection of these ordinances in Woodbury (21-4 and 24-3) it states “Implement thecomprehensive plan.” This integration of language in the comprehensive plan withthe clear statement to implement the plan is missing from Oakdale’s ordinances andcode.

Goals 2(c) and 3(b) are unique from the other goals. Code words were not developedfor 2(c), instead the ordinance chapter on “signs” was considered in its entirety toevaluate accomplishment of the goal. No language restricting the use of “interpretivesigns” along trails was identified. Goal 3(b) was not considered in the analysisbecause a shoreland ordinance is currently not suitable to the political climate ofOakdale. This was determined based on discussions with Oakdale city staff members.

Appendix H , Oakdale Coding Results, displays the results from coding Oakdale’sordinances and zoning codes. The table displays code words utilized, the relevantsection of ordinance or zoning code, the goal accomplished (based on the actionword), and how the goal is accomplished. Please refer to Appendix C for a completelist of all code words and an explanation for how they were identified.

Recommendations1. Integrate the Comprehensive Plan into City Ordinances and ZoningCodes. The first recommendation for the City of Oakdale is to integrate the term“comprehensive plan” into the city ordinances, and to embed the goals outlined in thecomprehensive plan in the city ordinances and zoning codes. In Oakdale, thecomprehensive plan is mentioned in the ordinances only when it involves being inconformance or consistent with the plan. It would strengthen the plan’s effectivenessand provide a very stable outline for the future visions and goals of the city based onthe political will created in formation of the comprehensive plan. The cities of

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Hopkins and Woodbury each contain excellent examples of how this could beimplemented.

Hopkins has one especially strong and specific reference to the their owncomprehensive plan as it pertains to natural resources and the environment in thecommunity; one that places the comprehensive plan power in the hands of cityofficials in a general sense:

Conflict with Comprehensive Municipal Plan: Whenever a plan for anysubdivision conflicts with an established comprehensive municipal planwhich contemplates the future acquisition of any part thereof by the cityfor public purposes, the city may do or require the following:

a) The city may at once acquire such premises;b) The city may waive the present acquisition thereof and approve the plan

submitted for subdivision; orc) If the city does not elect to acquire such premise within 90 days, such

acquisition and conflict shall be deemed waived by the city (Ordinance500.59).

Similarly, Woodbury outlines the importance of the comprehensive plan as it pertainsto the future and progress of their city, while cementing the parallels between the twopolicies, allowing them to function smoothly with one another. There are noexamples of this in Oakdale’s city code. For example, in Woodbury’s code section21-3:

The city council recognizes the comprehensive plan as the official policy planfor the regulation of land use and development in accordance with the plan'svision and guiding principles which include:

(a) Making Woodbury sustainable.(b) Providing a safe and healthy community.(c) Managing growth.(d) Preserving open space.(e) Providing for parks and recreation.(f) Planning for an effective transportation system.(g) Meeting community housing needs.(h) Managing financial resources.(i) Expanding opportunities for employment and maintaining a

business-friendly environment.(j) Promoting reinvestment.(k) Promoting excellence in education.(l) Maintaining a positive identity as an open and inviting community with

respect to diversity.(m) Providing excellence in city government.

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In the following sections of the Subdivision and Zoning ordinances, sections 21-4 and24-3, the first intent of the regulations is to “Implement the Comprehensive Plan.” Neither the vision and guiding principles nor the statement of “implementation” arementioned in the ordinances or zoning codes of Oakdale. Incorporating these aspectswould be valuable because it aids in integrating the plan more closely with thepolicies governing development, which will allow it to become a more influential toolwhen planning decisions are made. The clear language expressing the plan's visionand implementation helps clarify the role it has in development decisions and theintent for its use.

2. Add to Development and Maintenance of Greenway Corridors and PassiveOpen Spaces. The second recommendation pertains to the development andmaintenance of greenway corridors and passive open spaces. In the comprehensiveplan’s natural resource goals, there were two goals, goal 1(a) and goal 3(d) toestablish, restore, and maintain greenway corridors. Oakdale has an excellent parksystem and some beautiful trails as well, and expanding these areas with the goal ofcreating new ones will help to enhance the community. However, the term greenwaycorridors was not found within any city ordinances or zoning codes. The cities ofHopkins and Woodbury both provide some excellent examples for how to establishnew spaces and maintain existing ones.

Woodbury focused on greenway corridors in their city ordinances and zoning codes. The concept of greenways has been incorporated into the planned unit development(PUD) ordinance of Woodbury. “Greenway” is given the following definition inSection 24-4 of this ordinance:

Greenway means linear open space, either existed or created, with a minimumof 100 feet width whose primary purpose is to connect places or resources ofecological value. The greenway is intended to be maintained primarily in anatural state, although some sections may be landscaped. It may or may notinclude a trail or pathway.

Greenways are incorporated into two parts of the Planned Unit Development (PUD)ordinance in Woodbury’s city code could be implemented in Oakdale in this manner.First, greenways are included in the Purpose and Intent section, located in 24-202 ofthe PUD ordinance. For example:

To increase public open space or greenways and/or to ensure concentrationof open space into more usable areas and preservation or restoration ofnatural resources.

We believe the best place to incorporate greenways into Oakdale’s city ordinances andzoning codes is in the second paragraph of section 25-114 of the PUD ordinance:

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The PUD shall consist of a harmonious selection of uses and groupingof buildings, parking areas, circulation, open spaces [and greenways],and shall be designed as an integrated unit, in such manner as toconstitute a safe efficient, and convenient urban area.

Second, greenways are incorporated into section 24-205 of Woodbury’s PUDordinance by using greenways as one possible criteria for the approval of density thatis higher than the current zone permits. Similarly, Oakdale could add greenways asone criteria for the approval of higher density plans. In section 25-115(d) under thefactors used for determining the reasonableness of an increase in density the firstcriteria could be changed to:

(1) the location, amount and proposed use of common open space [or greenways]

Integration of greenways into considerations for PUD ordinances will serve as astarting point for incorporating greenways into city planning. Greenways could laterbe integrated into the different types of zoning districts to expand the benefits theyprovide.

The concept to consider implementing in Oakdale, and its city ordinances and zoningcodes are passive open spaces. They can be found near greenway corridors, trails, andother parks or recreation areas. Hopkins had a strong example of passive open spacesin their city code, and defined it as the following:

An open space dedicated or intended only for passive recreation activities suchas walking paths and observation of wildlife (Ordinance 830.01, Subdivision4).

The term “passive open space” was not found in the city ordinances or the zoningcodes, therefore, implementation of this term may be beneficial for the protection ofthese places. They are considered very beneficial for unstructured or spontaneousoutdoor activities, and could be used in areas where there are high concentrations ofsenior citizens or young families that may not be involved in active sports leagues.There may be smaller tracts of land owned by the city that currently serve such apurpose, or could be planned to serve this purpose in the foreseeable future.

3. Address Stormwater, Shoreland, and General Water Management.Stormwater management plans, shoreland ordinances, and water management are allissues that many cities in Minnesota are required to address. The thirdrecommendation focuses on these components. Oakdale is currently working on astormwater management plan and a shoreland ordinance. Therefore, we did not focuson these areas. Nonetheless, we identified a few ordinances and codes from Hopkins,Maplewood, and Woodbury that we felt would be beneficial to Oakdale’s planningprocesses, and thus included them for consideration, as these examples correspondwith natural resource goals 1(b), 2(b), and 3(b). Each of these cities implemented

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stricter regulations on recreational uses of water in times of water scarcity and havestrong stormwater management plans in place. Hopkins has a very strong zoningordinance regarding stormwater management:

The purpose of this ordinance is to promote, preserve, and enhance thenatural resources within the City of Hopkins and protect them fromadverse effects occasioned by poorly sited development or incompatibleactivities by regulating land disturbing or development activities thatwould have an adverse and potentially irreversible impact on water qualityand unique and fragile environmentally sensitive land; by minimizingconflicts and encouraging compatibility between land disturbing anddevelopment activities and water quality and environmentally sensitivelands; and by requiring detailed review standards and procedures for landdisturbing and development activities proposed for such areas, therebyachieving a balance between urban growth and development andprotection of water quality and natural areas.

a) Have a predominance of hydric soilsb) Are inundated or saturated by surface or groundwater at a

frequency and duration sufficient to support a prevalence ofhydrophytic vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soilconditions; and

c) Under normal circumstances support a prevalence of suchvegetation (Ordinance 546.01).

Similar to the City of Hopkins’ codes and ordinances, the City of Maplewood places amajor focus on stormwater management and shoreland management. Theyconcentrate on the use of products found in modern-day urban areas, and the issuesthat arise when they are not disposed of properly.

Illicit Discharges: No person shall throw, drain, or otherwise discharge,cause, or allow others under its control to throw, drain, or otherwise dischargeinto the municipal separate storm sewer system any pollutants or waterscontaining any pollutants other than stormwater. The following discharges areexempt:

(1) Water line flushing performed by a government agency, other potablewater sources, landscape irrigation or lawn watering, diverted streamflows, rising groundwater, groundwater infiltration to storm drains,uncontaminated pumped groundwater, foundation or footing drains (notincluding active groundwater dewatering systems), crawl space pumps, airconditioning condensation, springs, natural riparian habitat or wetlandflows, and any other water source not containing pollutants;

(2) Discharges or flows from fire fighting, and other discharges specified inwriting by the city as being necessary to protect public health and safety;

(3) The prohibition provision above shall not apply to any non-stormwaterdischarge permitted under an National Pollutant Discharge Elimination

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System (NPDES) permit or order issued to the discharger and administeredunder the authority of the State and the Federal Environmental ProtectionAgency, provided that the discharger is in full compliance with allrequirements of the permit, waiver, or order and other applicable laws andregulations, and provided that written approval has been granted for anydischarge to the (municipal/county) separate storm sewer system.

(4) These requirements do not replace or supersede other city ordinances,watershed district rules or permit requirements, or state and federal rulesor permits required for the project (Ordinance 18-273).

Regulating the use of Tar-Based Sealer Products: Purpose. The cityunderstands that lakes, rivers, streams and other bodies of water are naturalassets which enhance the environmental, recreational, cultural and economicresources and contribute to the general health and welfare of the community.The use of sealers on asphalt driveways is a common practice. However,scientific studies on the use of driveway sealers have demonstrated arelationship between stormwater runoff and certain health and environmentalconcerns. Regulation of sealer products within the city is needed in order toprotect, restore, and preserve the quality of its waters (Ordinance 18-274).

Finally, a small ordinance from Woodbury, regarding individual and domestic wateruse in times of water scarcity, can be considered for water management. It includesrain sensing monitors and regulations surrounding their use in the community, and canbe found in section 23-36 of Woodbury’s ordinances. Both Oakdale and Woodburyhave lawn watering schedules to conserve water. Oakdale’s, located in section 23-6,limits watering to even days for even numbered houses and odd days for oddnumbered houses. Woodbury has an additional measure as follows:

(a) Except for single-family residential property all new lawn wateringsystems shall be equipped with rain sensors to shut off the systemduring times of wet weather.

(b) Rain sensors shall be maintained and replaced as necessary.(c) The City of Woodbury Public Works Department will inspect and

approve all rain sensor installations at the time of initial installationand at time of replacement.

(d) Penalty. Any person violating any of the provisions of this section shallbe guilty of a misdemeanor.

These are intended for private commercial and industrial sites, not residential homes. Adopting a similar measure in Oakdale would aid in conserving water and reducingwater runoff and negative runoff related impacts.

4. Protect Historic Resources. Oakdale is a city rich in natural resources and areas,and under definition of the Minnesota Environmental Policy Act, historic resourcesare considered one of these resources and are protected. Currently, there are no

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protections or allowable places for historic resources in the ordinances and zoningcodes of Oakdale; there was no mention of the word “historic” when it was coded for.An example of a historic resource in Oakdale is the old schoolhouse located at theOakdale Nature Preserve and Discover Center. Hopkins, Maplewood, and Woodburyall provide good examples for what to include in city ordinances and zoning codes togrant protection of these resources, specifically in subdivisions of land and site planreview. The following examples correspond with natural resource goal 3.

Hopkins had two specific areas that granted deference to historic sites and resources intheir city ordinances and zoning codes:

In the subdividing of any land, regard shall be shown for all naturalfeatures, such as tree growth, water courses, historic spots or similarconditions, which if preserved will add attractiveness and stability to theproposed development (Ordinance 500.55 Subdivision 7).

The application for a site plan review must contain at least the followingdata: The Planning department may waive inclusion of one or more of theitems if not relevant to an individual application: .... t) potential foradversely affecting historic places or affecting known or discoveredarcheological sites (Ordinance 526.02, Subdivision 1, Part [t]).

Maplewood and Woodbury also had ordinances that focused specifically onpreservation of historical resources regarding city subdivision standards; quite similarto those in Hopkins. In Woodbury, the three residential district types establishedallowance for “historic sites” as a permitted use (sections 24-132, 24-133, and24-134). The ordinance enforced in Maplewood is shown below:

Sec. 34-8. Minimum subdivision design standards(f)Lots. Design standards for lots shall be as follows(8)Natural or historic resources. In the subdividing of any land, due regardshall be shown for all natural features, such as tree growth, watercourses,historic spots or similar conditions, which if preserved will addattractiveness and value to the proposed development. The city council mayrequire the clustering of lots, such as with a PUD, to preserve naturalfeatures (Ordinance 34-8, Subdivision [f][8])).

5. Develop a Soil Erosion Control Plan. The fifth recommendation is regarding soilerosion and implementing a soil erosion plan for the city. Oakdale has a number ofwater bodies and shorelines, and is a growing community with increasingopportunities to develop. Hopkins, Maplewood, and Woodbury are all cities in asimilar position, and all have drafted and implemented soil erosion control plans orordinances. Hopkins’ ordinances mention requiring a soil erosion control plan for landuse changes, whether that be demolition, construction, or another type. These

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examples could contribute to Oakdale’s zoning code, specifically Article 25, on theFloodplain Management Overlay District.

One of the goals identified in the natural resource goals was to enhance theenvironmental aspects in Oakdale, including a number of the public water sources.Implementation of a soil erosion control plant corresponds with Goals 2b and 3b,focusing on enhancing those natural features and protecting water sources through ashoreland ordinance. Soil erosion often goes hand in hand with ecosystem degradationnear water systems and bodies, and so developing and implementing a soil erosionplan is something that may be considered. The outline of the plan is listed in the Cityof Maplewood’s Ordinance 18-144 (See Appendix L). They also provide a very niceoutline of the plan as well, and is something that may help other cities develop theirown plans:

Sec. 18-145. Review of Plan:(a) Generally. The city appoints the city engineer to review the erosion and

sediment control plan. The Ramsey County Erosion and SedimentControl Handbook is the reference for erosion and sediment controlpractice specifications in the city. The city engineer shall review theerosion and sediment control plan within seven days of receiving theplan from the developer.

(b) Permit required. If the city determines that the erosion and sedimentcontrol plan meets the requirements of this article, the city shall issue apermit, valid for a specified period of time, that authorizes the landdisturbance activity contingent on the implementation and completionof the erosion and sediment control plan.

© Denial. If the city determines that the erosion and sediment controlplan does not meet the requirements of this article, the city shall notissue a permit for the land disturbance activity. The erosion andsediment control plan must be resubmitted for approval before the landdisturbance activity begins. All land use and building permits must besuspended until the developer has an approved erosion and sedimentcontrol plan.

(d) Permit suspension. If the city determines that the approved plan is notbeing implemented according to the schedule or the control measuresare not being properly maintained, all land use and building permitsmust be suspended until the developer has fully implemented andmaintained the control measures identified in the approved erosion andsediment control plan (Ordinance 18-145).

Woodbury had the most comprehensive approach to the soil erosion plan—it has it’sown ordinance in the city code. It is quite similar to Maplewood’s erosion plan in thatit requires plans and permits for any type of land disturbance. It goes a step furtherthan the other two cities in that it continues to place regulation on those areas after theland has been disturbed and the project that has taken place there is complete.

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Included here is the section specifically focusing on the control aspects of theordinance (see Appendix L).

6. Consider City-Wide Renewable Energy Options. As stated earlier, Oakdale is agrowing city looking to accommodate all of the people who are a part of thecommunity, and change requires looking to the future and what it may hold. One thingmany cities in Minnesota are considering is implementing renewable energy sourceswithin their communities. Renewable energy contributes to natural resource goal 1.Maplewood and Woodbury are among these communities that have taken steps toaddress renewable energy in their city ordinances and zoning codes. Oakdale has astrong start in defining regulations surround Wind Energy Conversion Systems andother smaller scale energy projects in the zoning codes, but solar and geothermalpower are both up and coming sources with lots of potential in the Minnesota.

Maplewood and Woodbury both have very strong ordinance statements, that are quitelong. These ordinances are being represented by and referred to by their respectivecodes:

Maplewood Ordinances:• Wind Energy Ordinances: 18-321 through 18-326• Solar Energy Ordinances: 18-351 through 18-355• Geothermal Energy Ordinances: 18-401 through 18-405

Woodbury Ordinances:• Chapter 24: Zoning Ordinances• Article VI: Supplemental Performance Standards• Division V: Alternative Energy Systems

A full text of the ordinances can be found in Appendix M: Maplewood RenewableEnergy Ordinances and Appendix N: Woodbury Renewable Energy Ordinances.

Mid-range Action and Development

FindingsCity government employees across four municipalities—Oakdale, Woodbury,Hopkins, and Maplewood—identified a wide range of potential benefits to joining theMPCA's GreenStep Cities program. They mentioned that residents benefit from theprogram by receiving a more efficient government—both economically andenvironmentally. City governments use the GreenStep Cities program primarily as aresource, noting that it provides a well-researched framework for municipal bestpractices. Such a framework could provide an opportunity to implement some of thecity’s broader natural resource goals outlined in its Comprehensive Plan. In order toreap the benefits of the program, cities adopt and report specific sustainable actions.The city staff members interviewed generally determined which actions to move

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forward with using factors such as cost and time to implement, but also how well theaction fit the needs of the city. In three cities, however, the city staff membersidentified a “catalyst” that helped move an action forward at the city level—either inthe form of grant money, college interns, or a passionate, hard-working citizen. Allcity staff members interviewed were hopeful that the GreenStep Cities program wouldcontinue to expand, incorporating more actions, monitoring, and more GreenStepcollaboration across cities such as a peer review of practices.

City staff, along with GreenStep Cities Program Coordinator Philipp Muessig, citedvarious benefits from participating in the voluntary GreenStep Cities program (Table2). However, while most cities appreciated the recognition that came with joining theprogram, this was largely a secondary benefit. Those interviewed generally viewed theGreenStep Cities program as a resource or a guide to help the city inventory its currentsustainability practices and identify new areas to improve sustainability. Furthermore,the cities appreciated the authority that the program provides. For example, one sourcefelt that having the MPCA’s label on the program provided meaningful justificationfor various sustainable actions at the city level. They noted that, “It gives me someauthority, some backing to say that these are some of the practices we should be doing.So when I show up to the fire department and tell them ways to improve theiroperations, it isn't just me going down there and telling them what to do.”

None of the cities in the interview process included the GreenStep Cities program intheir comprehensive plans, likely because the Metropolitan Council required all ofthese plans before 2010 when the GreenStep program was still in its beginning stages.Two of the city staff agreed, however, that the program provides a framework forreaching comprehensive planning goals, particularly if the city has included or isconsidering adopting a sustainability chapter in the plan. “Sometimes in your day today work, the comprehensive plan is not consistently consulted,” one source said. “Itcould be really beneficial once you get the GreenStep program and the comprehensiveplan goals to coincide.”

The GreenStep Cities Program includes 28 best practices, for which cities can berecognized by implementing various sustainability action steps. To date Oakdale hasimplemented at least three or more action steps in six best practices. The remainingbest practices were evaluated to determine which best practices would be mostfeasible for Oakdale to pursue next. When deciding whether to move forward with anaction as part of the GreenStep Cities program, three of the four cities immediatelyidentified economic factors—including cost and staff time—as the primaryconsiderations. However, a recurring theme across cities was that some practices maymove forward with the help of a “catalyst.” For example, one city began implementinga “living streets” policy after grant money became available from one of the watershed

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Table 2: GreenStep Cities Program benefits and criteria for implementation.

Source Benefits to city government Benefits to residentsCriteria for implementing

an action

Oakdale Good way to get recognized forwhat the city was already doing Saves the city money Benefits the environment

Nice way to identify efficienciesin government operations Environmental and cost-savingmeasures

Cost is a primaryconsideration for anything Best fit to meet the city’sneeds

Maplewood Serves as a sustainability guideand provides authority whenimplementing best practices

Better environment Education tool for city residents

May take a catalyst (i.e.,grant money to implementLiving Streets)

Woodbury Opportunity to inventory allsustainable practices and “haveeverything on paper”

Working towards being moreefficient, which ultimatelybenefits residents Better environment

Ultimately comes down tostaff time and costs One passionate individualwilling to devote time andeffort can move an actionforward

Hopkins Provides good resources forcities trying to improve theiroperations (i.e., modelordinances)

Cost-savings from greenpractices

More efficient spending ofgovernment funds; lowers bills forresidents (example: sewer andwater infrastructure)

Improves quality of life forresidents

Budget and time are a mainconsideration at themunicipal level

Muessig Cities appreciate the authoritythat MPCA and partnersprovide Easy recognition for sustainablepractices One stop shop for assistance

Encourages citizen engagement byproviding a “bottom-up” way forresidents to get involved

districts. Another city explained how a particularly passionate and hard-workingindividual has devoted time and effort into researching a similar “complete streets”program. Finally, a third city attributed its success in the GreenStep Cities program tothe help of University of Minnesota interns. This finding suggests that while cost andstaff time are of great importance at the municipal level, there are opportunities foroutside forces to facilitate action towards larger sustainability initiatives.

Each city was hopeful that the program would expand to include more practices in thefuture. Two cities expressed interest in more performance measures or specific metricsfor each action. One source believed that creating metrics could provide a moreconcrete explanation of the benefits for each action (i.e., cities could measure howmuch they reduce their paper waste and determine their carbon dioxide emissions

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reduction or cost-savings). Some cities were also interested in finding ways to monitorthe actions different municipalities claim to be taking. “You don't have to proveanything on that site,” explained one source, leading to concerns that there is apossibility of embellishment when self-reporting sustainable actions in order toachieve easy recognition. However, while this concern was noted in more than oneinterview, cities generally recognized the limitations of the voluntary program and feltthat it may escape the ability of GreenStep to monitor every action in everyparticipating city.

RecommendationsOakdale’s progress in the Minnesota GreenStep Cities program was assessed andevaluated to gain a better understanding of what the city has accomplished so far andto identify future practices they could potentially work toward accomplishing. Oakdalehas already achieved multiple best practices and started working on at least half of therecommended practices. Presently, the city has made significant progress byimplementing at least three or more action steps in six best practice areas. Theremaining best practices were evaluated based on the criteria identified in themethods: (1) time, in years, required to complete the best practice, (2) cost toimplement the best practice, (3) the effectiveness of the best practice at attainingOakdale’s natural resource goals, and (4) how much of the specific practice Oakdalehas already accomplished used to assess the GreenStep best practices. As Oakdaleseeks to progress within the GreenStep Cities program process, we recommend theyconsider seven practices as the next phase of implementation begins that best fit ourcriteria. For a full table outlining the evaluation of all GreenStep Cities Program bestpractices, see Appendix O.

1. Incorporate Efficient City Growth Practices. As Oakdale contemplates furtherGreenStep action, the first practice we recommend to consider is in the Land UseCategory of the Best Practices—Practice 7: Efficient City Growth. The aim of thispractice is to “Promote financial and environmental sustainability by enabling andencouraging walkable housing and commercial land use” (MPCA, 2013). Tosummarize even further, this practice encourages higher density housing and mixedresidential-commercial zoning in certain areas to promote walkability and foster moreefficient land use. This practice is recommended because although it takes time toimplement, the cost is low, and the effectiveness is high. There are also social,environmental, and financial benefits to implementing this practice as well as aregional policy associated with this practice, the Metropolitan Council’s 2030Regional Development Framework mandating that cities within the metro area planfor residential density increase (MPCA, 2013). Last, all of the similar cities used inthis analysis had made some progress of implementing this practice, illustrating thatEfficient City Growth is realistic and implementable.

2. Implement Conservation Design Practices. The second Best Practice to berecommended is also in the Land Use Category of the Best Practice—Practice 10:“Conservation Design - Adopt development ordinances or processes that protect

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natural systems.” This practice requires that only one action needs to be implemented.The first action is the focus of our recommendation and that is to conduct a NaturalResource Inventory or Assessment. Assessing the current state of Oakdale’s naturalresources will help to highlight what areas are a priority for the city and if necessary,what action needs to be taken to protect those areas. Oakdale has already makeprogress in natural resource inventory regarding other attributes such as invasivespecies, trees, etc., which have helped to identify other possible management actionsregarding those attributes. Conducting a general inventory of land areas will help toidentify particular areas in the city that have environmental significance that Oakdalemay potentially want to attempt to acquire. This practice can have a significantenvironmental impact, fits well within Oakdale’s natural resource goals, and serves asthe foundation for future planning.

3. Implement Complete Green Streets. The third GreenStep practice to berecommended is in the Transportation category of the Best Practices—Practice 11:Complete Green Streets. The aim of this practice is to “create a network of multimodalgreen streets” (MPCA, 2013). To explain further, this practice intends to implementwell-designed streets that are not only aesthetically pleasing by utilizing green space,but also accessible for multiple modes of transportation and conducive to economicand social interactions. This may include incorporating sidewalks and bicycle lanes, aswell as narrowing vehicle lanes to reduce impervious surfaces. This practice isrecommended because it is ranked moderately across all criteria levels—meaning itrequires a medium length of time to implement, a medium amount of money toimplement, and has medium effectiveness—but has strong community health benefits.All three of the similar cities in this study have also made progress on this practice;Maplewood and Woodbury have made significant efforts. Additionally, arepresentative from Oakdale expressed interest in this action step during ourGreenStep Cities interviews. Hadley Avenue is a significant street in Oakdale andalready contains attributes of Complete Streets. As Oakdale possibly moves forwardwith this practice, we recommend keeping Hadley Avenue in mind because of itssignificance and base. This practice can also be implemented in residential areas aswell, it is not limited to any type of street. Both Maplewood and Woodburyhighlighted this practice as an area where a catalyst was helpful, so Oakdale mightconsider creating a voluntary “Complete Streets Taskforce” or searching for grantmoney to move this action step forward.

4. Create an Environmental Purchasing Policy. The fourth Best Practice to berecommended is in the Environmental Management Category of the GreenStep CitiesPractices—Practice 15: “Purchasing - to adopt environmentally conscious purchasingpolicies and practices.” This practice is relatively straightforward; the actionsnecessary to implement this practice would be to adopt a policy of purchasing EnergyStar equipment/appliances and at least 30% post-consumer recycled content and oneadditional action from a list of reasonable options. The time to implement this practiceis short, the cost is more upfront but payback will be in the form of savings, and lessdemand is put on the environment. This action has also been implemented by all three

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of the other cities involved in this comparison. One of those cities, Maplewood,implemented a purchasing policy in 2011 to reflect the city’s commitment tosustainability and meet the goals of a Precautionary Principle Program ofEnvironmental Protection acknowledging that the policy helps to improve the airquality for its residents and minimize health risks for residents a well as city staff.Maplewood’s Purchasing Policy and references can be viewed in Appendix P.

5. Incorporate Efficient Stormwater Management Ppractices. The nextGreenStep Practice to be recommended is also in the Environmental ManagementCategory of the GreenStep Practices—Practice 17: Efficient Stormwater Management.The Immediate Action section of this report provides a recommendation regardingpossible stormwater management actions. As this is also a GreenStep practice that issuggested, it is recommended that as Oakdale continues with their current stormwatermanagement planning, they keep in mind the recommended immediate and mid-termactions suggested.

6. Implement Parks and Trails Practices. The sixth Best Practice to berecommended is also in the Environmental Management category—Practice 18: Parksand Trails. The aim of this practice is to “support active lifestyles and property valuesby enhancing the city’s green infrastructure” (MPCA, 2013). Oakdale has alreadyimplemented a couple of the recommended actions in this practice, but we would alsosuggest the possible implementation of Action 1, which is to “identify and remedygaps within your city’s system of parks, off-road trails and open spaces” (MPCA,2013). An assessment of gaps in the parks and trails systems would add value to theland and water Oakdale has already invested in as well as create value for residents’health and well-being, as increasing trail connectivity can contribute to importanttransportation functions as well exercise and recreation among city residents. Werecommend this specific action within this Best Practice because we have found thatthis assessment is very beneficial not only for the city, but for the residents as well.According to the GreenStep program, studies show that access to parks and trailswithin ¼ mile of residential areas leads to increased physical activity, mental health,and psychological development (MPCA, 2013). A case example, obtained through aninterview with Woodbury staff, identified that residents generally want to provideinformation regarding this assessment and it allows the city to assess who is usingwhich trails and when. This assessment also helps to increase community andenvironmental quality via providing continuous pathways for people and animals.Identifying the gaps in the trail system is a good advancement to implementing thegoals of Oakdale’s Natural Resource Chapter in the Comprehensive Plan.

7. Foster Inter-city GreenStep Collaboration and Monitoring. Our finalrecommendation is not specific to GreenStep Best Practices, but stems from an issueidentified during the interview process. Volunteer reporting in the GreenStep CitiesProgram is a great way to encourage new activities, but monitoring of these activitieswill help keep the integrity and impact of the program strong. Some cities mentionedthat the lack of monitoring in the GreenStep Cities program might be allowing

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communities to exaggerate their action steps in order to achieve easier recognition.While the cost of auditing all participating cities for each practice they implement isboth unrealistic and unnecessary, Oakdale may be able to take the lead in encouragingpeer review and support among cities. This could take the form of a regional (i.e., EastMetro) GreenStep Cities Program meeting or e-mail chain (i.e., LISTSERV). Aregional GreenStep monitoring network could allow cities to share emergingchallenges when it comes to implementing the GreenStep program and identifypossible solutions. Furthermore, enhanced communication across municipalitiesregarding the GreenStep program may foster peer review of each city’s participationwhile avoiding the cost and severity of a program audit.

Long-term Implementation and Adaptation

Findings Sustainability as a whole is becoming a priority both for large cities, and for smallersuburban communities like Oakdale (City of Oakdale, 2013; Andersson, 2006).Sustainability is a term that is used often today. While it is defined differentlydepending on the person or group talking about it, it generally emphasizes economic,social, and environmental concerns. For some, sustainability is equivalent topreservation of the natural environment. And indeed, the conversation onsustainability has focused on the natural environment for the past several decades andcontinues as one of the primary concerns identified. However, in an urban community,absolute preservation is not possible, nor beneficial. Much of the scientific literatureon conservation planning highlights the growing need to recognize that therelationship between the human world and the natural world is fluid. Manyresearchers, managers, and citizens have begun conversations and even new areas ofinvestigation that give legitimacy to the idea that people are part of the environment.Thus, sustainability, when considered in the context of a municipal community, isabout balance. “Balance” is in fact the very thing that linked the mayor and membersof the Oakdale City Council when they defined sustainability for their city. Balance isalso a core part of the natural resource goals identified in the comprehensive plan. Thefirst goal states that the city will, “Continuously pursue a balance between Oakdale’sbuilt environment and its natural resource system” (City of Oakdale, 2010). This goalis not unique to Oakdale, however, and, in a world of increased financial pressure andwhere the capacity for development is beginning to reach its upper limits, planning tofind this balance is ever more important (Roseland, 1992).

Sustainable development is a term that has been used to capture the compromises thatglobal cities must make in order to strike the perfect balance between the promotion ofeconomic growth and the assurance that resources remain available for futuregenerations of residents (Andersson, 2006). In a report created by a group ofinternational leaders, sustainable development is defined as exactly that, “that whichseeks to meet the needs and aspirations of the present without compromising theability to meet those of the future” (United Nations World Commission on

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Environment and Development, 1987). That this definition is used widely today,including by the City of Minneapolis, shows that cities, are prioritizing the future. Andwhile planning is about thinking forward into the future, it is an incredibly challengingtask when the public often desires immediate results, and where political decisionsoften react to problems, sparked by crisis or disaster (City of Minneapolis, 2012;Massey, 1991). The Oakdale Comprehensive Plan, published in May 2010, isOakdale's primary guiding document for city planning, and is the relevant area toincorporate sustainability planning.

Oakdale’s comprehensive plan (2010) is broken into ten chapters, one being theexecutive summary and each of the latter nine dedicated to a particular topic: thecommunity, housing, the economy, parks and trails, natural resources, land use andredevelopment, transportation, water resources, and implementation. Goals andsubgoals are identified in each of these chapters to help create a vision. The plan isstrong in its identification of a broad range of interests, yet there is not muchintegration among the chapters. For instance, in the “Community” chapter, the thirdgoal references a desire to achieve greater sustainability stating Oakdale will,“Continue to proactively plan and implement strategies to make Oakdale moresustainable and promote and encourage the health of its residents” (City of Oakdale,2010). Yet in the “Natural Resource” chapter, there is no mention of how a healthycommunity can help to achieve a sustainable natural resource base. Not only does amore thriving, integrated natural environment help foster a healthy community, but ahealthy community has more resources to invest in assuring continued sustainability.

The lack of integration is the case across many of the chapters. Making connectionsbetween chapters and goals is important because it provides clarity for managers,citizens, and officials. As one city council member defined sustainability as, “[It isimportant to have] a balance where entities feed off each other to stay sustaining.”Additionally, the comprehensive plan does not currently address the GreenStep Citiesprogram actions. These actions are currently discussed in the Generation GreenSustainability Plan (2013), a plan created by the Environmental ManagementCommission to help guide Oakdale in their sustainability practices that will boost theirrating in the GreenStep program.

Oakdale is looking at many changing conditions to its land area and population overthe next several years. First, the population is projected to rise from around 27,000residents to 30,000 in 2030 (City of Oakdale, 2010). Second, as the Twin Citiesmetropolitan area’s population diversifies further, the Oakdale population is following.As the city council members indicated, the minority population in Oakdale increaseddramatically since 2010 and continues to do so. Currently, the majority of thepopulation identifies themselves as Caucasian, 8% Asian, 6% African American, and4% Hispanic. The number of people who identify themselves in one of the threeminority groups has increased since 2010 (U.S. Census, 2010; City of Oakdale, 2013).This has created outreach challenges as city staff work to communicate city policiesand plans, and educational challenges as the school districts grow and become more

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ethnically and income diverse. Cities across the country have experienced challengesin effectively addressing a diverse population base. Cities from nearby Eden Prairie,Minnesota to distant Little Rock, Arkansas have established diversity, cultural, andhuman rights commissions to help formulate planning goals to turn diversity into anasset rather than a challenge (City of Eden Prairie 2013; City of Little Rock 2013). Inthe Human Rights and Diversity Commission of Eden Prairie’s Charter Statement,there is greater insight about why the commission was deemed necessary for thecommunity:

Purpose Act in an advisory capacity to the City on matters of diversity, civil andhuman rights, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Roles and Responsibilities A. Enlist the cooperation of agencies, organizations and individuals in thecommunity to promote awareness and appreciation of diversity. B. Review and investigate alleged ADA violations submitted to the City viathe ADA Grievance procedures. C. Work with community volunteers to promote the City’s Manifesto andprovide response and support to victims of incidents of bias (City of EdenPrairie, 2013).

The City of Rochester, MN, has a diversity-focused organization called the DiversityCouncil that is not directly affiliated with the municipal government in the same wayas Eden Prairie and Little Rock (DiversityCouncil.org, 2013), highlighting animportant way that municipalities and the private sector can collaborate.

Additionally, increased crime was perceived to be an issue that needs to be addressedfor long-term sustainability. Said one city council member, “Crime and the pressuresto control it will be the biggest challenge to getting better [in the next fifteen years].”The council member made a direct correlation between crime and the perception ofcrime with the sustainability of the community. In 2005, Oakdale’s crime rates wereabout average for the Twin Cities area. Broken into the type of crime, there were verylow rates of violent crimes (assaults, rape, etc.), but a higher rate of property crimessuch as theft and vandalism. City-data.com gave Oakdale a crime rate of 293.5 for theyear 2005 based on a total rating system that weights violent and more serious crimesmore heavily and accounts for the number of residents and visitors. The higher therating, the more crime exists. In comparison, the rating for 2003 was 332.2, and for2004 it was 260.6 suggesting that there is a regular fluctuation, but that it remainssteady around the same rate. The 2005 rank is lower than nearby Maplewood at 403.6,but higher than Woodbury at 141.9, suggesting that Oakdale lies somewhere in theaverage for the eastern metropolitan area (City-data.com, 2005). Australian scholarPaul Cozens (2008) notes that actual crime and fear of crime do not always coincide.As noted by the city council, this disconnect seems to exist in Oakdale. Cozendiscusses the interconnection between crime, public health and the environment noting

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a concept known as Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED).CPTED emphasizes the idea that the design of the built environment can have atremendous impact on crime (Cozens, 2008).

Oakdale city officials are thinking about sustainability in a broader context, definedpreviously. Something striking about the response of one city council member was theincorporation of quality of life and neighborhood quality in the definition ofsustainability. Planning consultant N.J. “Pete” Pointer (2008) in his book, PlanningConnections: Human, Natural and Man-made, recommends using ten principles toincrease neighborhood quality and enhance sustainability. The first highlights theimportance of the neighborhood as a planning unit, “Consider development in terms ofresidential neighborhoods. Apply principles of the neighborhood unit concept such asthrough traffic on perimeter, daily needs within walking distance, if possible, andlinked by pedestrian ways, and consider public transportation in addition to roadways”(Pointer, 2008). One development strategy that has been cited by Pointer and others asa good way to make suburban communities more sustainable without losing the ruralquality of life that attracts many resident to the suburbs is the creation of “pocketneighborhoods,” also known as cluster development. This concept is defined by itscreation of single-family home residential areas, but it is different from the traditionalneighborhood plan in that it develops homes on smaller lots adjacent to a commonopen space area. This development strategy has the ability to create greaterneighborhood vitality because it creates a safe living area, a greater sense ofcommunity, and the opportunity for residents to enjoy the outdoors right outside theirfront door (Benfield, 2012). It is a great way to preserve open space, enhancestormwater retention and water quality to help meet the stormwater managementstandards discussed above into the future. Often times in order to do this zoningordinances need to be adjusted (Mega et al., 1998).

Oakdale has a strong history of preserving open space within the community.However, there are still many open spaces in the city that remain simply that, openspace, often vegetated with mowed lawn. One option, proposed by the alternativevegetation report (Report #3/7, 2013) is to implement mixed use and mixed vegetationin the open spaces including community gardens. As was discovered throughconversations with city staff and the mayor, in several previous decisions the citycouncil was reluctant to implement community gardens due to the perceived negativeimpacts that would result from more human traffic around the site and negative visualappeal. However, local food, often produced from community food gardens, hasbecome a priority across the U.S. as urban areas look to increase sustainability andimprove the health and overall wellbeing of residents. The benefits of urbanagriculture are many. Two of the most important benefits are 1) increased publichealth as many urban residents, especially those of lower income backgrounds gainaccess to fresh fruits and vegetables, and greater economic self-sufficiency as theygain the skills to grow their own food, and 2) improve the level of environmentalsustainability and perception of improved environmental quality by increasing thelevel of multifunctional green space, and reducing the food system's dependence on

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fossil fuels (Lovell, 2010; McClintock, 2010). Thus, this is something that Oakdaleshould continue to discuss as it plans into the future.

Open space planning cannot occur without thinking about funding. The mayor and thecity council talked about how there is currently quite a large budget for parks from thePark Designation Fee that is received when new development takes place. However, asOakdale is developed out, new funding strategies will be necessary. This is a problemthat has been faced by some of the nation’s larger, older cities such as New York andSan Francisco. One strategy that has been used in these areas, albeit at a larger scale, isthe creation of partnerships with the private sector. For example, the Golden GateNational Parks systems partnered with the newly created Parks Conservancy, andincorporated value added elements such as events, tours, concessions, camps and more(Leichner, 2010). Finally, open space planning includes wildlife. Oakdale has cited aproblem with deer management strategies, saying that the way park hunts have beencarried out has been criticized by residents and has not always been backed up withhard data.

Recommendations1. Develop a Sustainability Chapter in the Comprehensive Plan. Creating asustainability chapter in the upcoming version of the comprehensive plan is anopportunity to for Oakdale to ensure its sustainability goals are incorporated into thelong term planning process. Oakdale staff identified a sustainability chapter assomething they would have changed if they were able to go back and repeat theprocess. This chapter could incorporate sustainable development ideas into each of thenine areas currently addressed by the 2030 Comprehensive Plan (2010). It is importantthat this be done not only for integration purposes, but also because, as noted above,the comprehensive plan does not currently addressed the GreenStep Cities programactions. Tying the 2030 Comprehensive Plan (2010) and Generation GreenSustainability Plan (2013) together will be enormously valuable to future city plannersas they look to guide management around the goals in the comprehensive plan.

2. Create a Clear Policy on Open Space Preservation, Vegetative Cover, andUse. Design a clear policy that addresses the development, use, and preservation ofopen space. There is currently a need in Oakdale for a policy that addresses thedevelopment, use, and preservation of open space within the city limits. TheAlternative Vegetation report lays out recommendations for new vegetation optionsthat Oakdale could implement in open space areas to improve sustainability andaesthetic appeal (Report #3, 2013). Taking those recommendations further, it would bebeneficial to set numerical standards in an open space policy around both the amountof open space and the use and vegetation type within each open space area the citywould like to see. The Oakdale community would greatly benefit from adopting goalsat 5 to 10 year intervals within a 50-year outlook period, and adapt them continuouslyto meet future changes.

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Moreover, Oakdale can implement a new funding pool for the management of openspaces and parks. As development slows, the park designation fee that is currently inplace will decrease. New and creative strategies will need to be pursued to ensurefunding for land management is sustained. Creating a special tax is one option, but anincrease in taxes is not always preferable, a review of other cities' funding strategiescould be helpful in guiding the decision process going forward. For example, Oakdalecould try some new value-adding strategies and partnerships with businesses andnonprofit organization like was the case with the Golden Gate National Parks system(Leichner, 2010). A further review of funding strategies utilized by other communitiesacross the state and across the country could be conducted with assistance from ayoung intern, or interns to engage them in learning about municipal management. Thiswill ensure that Oakdale’s parks can benefit residents for generations to come.

Finally, focused on a specific challenge in urban open areas, any planning for openspace preservation and use includes wildlife management plans. For example, to tacklethe deer management challenges related to education and to improve organizationaround the current park hunt, implement a long-term deer management strategy usinginformation from the Ramsey County Deer Management Strategies (Ramsey CountyParks and Recreation, 2012; see Appendix Q). In addition, Oakdale staff couldcollaborate with Washington County and the Department of Natural Resources to get afirm count on deer populations, as was conducted in Woodbury. This would contributeto a monitoring program that would support review and adaptation of ongoingmanagement efforts in order to make them as efficient and effective as possible.

3. Form a Cultural Diversity Commission. To address long-term challenges andopportunities related to ethnic diversity, create a diversity commission to work inconcert with the four current commissions—the Economic Development Commission,the Environmental Management Commission, the Parks and Recreation Commission,and the Planning Commission. This new commission would address problems thatarise around diversity issues, and create, coordinate, and implement diversity-specificprogramming. It is important that a new commission be created, rather than taking ondiversity issues within other commissions, because diversity and cultural challengesare far-reaching enough that they require a greater investment of attention andresources. Additionally, by creating a separate commission, Oakdale can showneighboring communities that it prioritizes fostering a thriving, diverse community,and is taking important steps to make progress in areas of diversity challenges. Toaddress the challenge of limited municipal resources, cited by many of thoseinterviewed during the creation of this report, Oakdale could partner with schools,businesses, and non-governmental organization (NGOs) collaborating to find creativestrategies to address diversity challenges.

4. Investigate Additional Considerations for the Future. First, exploredevelopment strategies using the concept of “pocket neighborhoods” for newdevelopment and/or to adapt older neighborhoods in Oakdale. This approach canincrease the quality of life for neighborhood residents by providing greater community

31

connectedness, opportunity to recreate on nearby open space, and a healthy, safeenvironment for families to live. This long term consideration expands on the PUDrecommendation of more greenway planning and development, laid out in theImmediate Action section of this report, as well as the Mid-range Recommendation toconsider mixed residential-commercial zoning to better incorporate green space andpromote healthy living and walkability.

In these later years, it will be important to develop new and creative policy solutionsto natural resource and sustainability issues, and also implement, monitor and adaptthe policy recommendations from earlier sections. For example, implementation of themunicipal renewable energy standard discussed in the Immediate Action section ofthis report will be paramount in the years leading up to 2030. Similar to the open spacepolicy, this standard should include numerical goals at 5- to 10-year time intervals.

Conclusion

Oakdale has taken many innovative steps in recent decades to ensure a balance of thebuilt and natural environments that achieves a sustainable city. Municipal policy helpsprovide vision and forward-thinking decision making around issues related to naturalresources and sustainable development. It is the hope of these student researchers thatthe recommendations in this report around sustainable growth and development, greeninfrastructure, stormwater management, open space use and vegetation, integration ofplans and policies, land management, and communication will be helpful in guidingOakdale toward a more cohesive policy framework. Moreover, this report is providedfor the purpose of guidance. It is thus important to look further into each of therecommendations provided, utilizing information from the references given, and intoother related topics that were briefly touched on or not addressed in this report.

References

Andersson, E. 2006. Urban landscapes and sustainable cities. Ecology and Society 111: 34.

Benfield, K. 2012. “Pocket Neighborhoods” for Sustainable Suburbs. The AtlanticCities.http://www.theatlanticcities.com/neighborhoods/2012/01/pocket-neighborhoods-suburbs-sustainable/864/ (accessed 11/01/2013).

Burnard, P. 1991. A method of analysing interview transcripts in qualitative research.Nurse Education Today 11(6):461-466.

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City of Eden Prairie. Human Rights and Diversity Commission. City Government:Commissions. http://www.edenprairie.org/index.aspx?page=67 (accessed11/12/2013).

City-data.com. Crime rate in Oakdale, Minnesota (MN): murders, rapes, robberies,assaults, burglaries, thefts, auto thefts, arson, law enforcement employees, policeofficers, crime map.http://www.city-data.com/crime/crime-Oakdale-Minnesota.html (accessed11/20/2013).

City of Hopkins. 2013. City Code Book.

City of Little Rock. Racial and Cultural Diversity Commission. City Manager:Divisions.http://www.littlerock.org/citymanager/divisions/racialandculturaldiversitycommission/ (accessed 11/12/2013).

City of Maplewood. 2013. City Code Book.

City of Oakdale. 2013. City Code Book.

City of Oakdale. 2010. Comprehensive Plan, 1st ed.

City of Oakdale. 2013. Generation Green Sustainability Plan.

City of Woodbury. 2013. City Code Book.

Costanza, R. 2000. Visions of alternative (unpredictable) futures and their use inpolicy analysis. Conservation Ecology 4(1):5.

Cozens, P. 2008. Public health and the potential benefits of crime prevention throughenvironmental design. New South Wales Public Health Bulletin 18(12):232-237.

Diversitycouncil.org. Rochester, MN. http://www.diversitycouncil.org/ (accessed11/23/2-13).

Fabos, J. 1995. Introduction and overview: the Greenway Movement, uses andpotentials of greenways. Landscape and Urban Planning 33:1-13.

League of Minnesota Cities. 2013. Information memo, Planning Commission Guide.

Leichner, K. 2010. Supporting Our Parks: A Guide to Alternative Revenue Strategies.New Yorkers for Parks.

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Lovell, S.T. 2010. Multifunctional urban agriculture for sustainable land use planningin the United States. Sustainability 2(8):2499-2522.

Massey, D. 1991. The political place of locality studies. Environment and Planning A

23(2):267-281.

McClintock, N. 2010. Why farm the city? Theorizing urban agriculture through a lensof metabolic rift. Cambridge Journal of Regions, Economy and Society3(2):191-207.

McLaughlin, M.W. 1987. Learning from experience: Lessons from policyimplementation. Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis 9(2):171-178.

Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA). Minnesota GreenStep Cities.http://greenstep.pca.state.mn.us/index.cfm (accessed 11/25/2013).

MN ST § 116B.01. 1986. Chapter 116, Pollution Control Agency. The Office of theRevisor of Statutes.

MN ST § 116B.02. 1986. Chapter 116, Pollution Control Agency. The Office of theRevisor of Statutes.

Murphy, A.W. 1975. Old maxims never die: The "Plain-Meaning Rule" and statutoryinterpretation in the "Modern" Federal Courts. Columbia Law Review75(7):1299-1317.

Opdenakker, R. 1986. Advantages and disadvantages of four interview techniques inqualitative research. In Forum Qualitative Sozialforschung/Forum: QualitativeSocial Research 7:4. 2006.

Pointner, N.J. 2008. Planning Connections: Human, Natural and Man Made.AuthorHouse.

Ramsey County Parks and Recreation. 2012. Deer Management: Strategies forOverabundant Herds.

Rittel, H.W.J., and M.M. Webber. 1973. Dilemmas in a general theory of planning.Policy Sciences 4(2):155-169.

Roof, K., and N. Oleru. 2008. Public health: Seattle and King County's push for thebuilt environment. Journal of Environmental Health 71:24-27.

Roseland, M. 1992. Toward Sustainable Communities: A Resource Book forMunicipal and Local Governments. Ottawa, Ontario: National Round Table on theEnvironment and the Economy.

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Sabatier, P., and D. Mazmanian. 1980. The implementation of public policy: aframework of analysis. Policy Studies Journal 8(4):538-560.

Society for Ecological Restoration(SER). 1995. Ecological restoration: a definitionand comments. Restoration Ecology 3(2):71-75.

United Nations World Commission on Environment and Development. 1987. OurCommon Future. New York: Oxford University Press.

Van Meter, D.S., and C.E. Van Horn. 1975. The policy implementation process aconceptual framework. Administration & Society 6(4):445-488.

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A-1

APPENDIX A: Land Use Tables

Generalized Land Use in Oakdale

Land Use 2010

Acres

Residential Total 3,385

Single Family Detached 2,741

Multifamily 644

Commercial Total 413

Retail and Other Commercial 324

Office 89

Industrial Total 141

Industrial and Utility 141

Railway 0

Institutional Total 308

Park and Recreational 711

Park, Recreational or Preserve 474

Golf Course 237

Mixed Use Total 137

Mixed Use Residential 4

Mixed Use Industrial 132

Mixed Use Commercial and Other 1

Major Roadways 415

Agricultural and Undeveloped Total 1,507

Agriculture 168

Undeveloped Land 1,340

Open Water 220

Total 7,237

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Regional Planned Land Use in Oakdale for 2030

Planned Land Use 2030

Acres % of Total

Commercial 491 6.78 %

Industrial 54 0.75 %

Institutional 364 5.03 %

Mixed Use 977 13.50 %

Multifamily Residential 784 10.83 %

Open Space or Restrictive Use 572 7.90 %

Park and Recreation 665 9.18 %

Railway (inc. LRT) 26 0.36 %

Rights-of-Way (i.e., Roads) 341 4.71 %

Single Family Residential 2,743 37.90 %

Water 221 3.05 %

Total 7,238 100.00 %

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APPENDIX B: Metropolitan Council \

The Metropolitan Council is the regional policy-making body, planning agency, and provider of essential

services for the Twin Cities metropolitan region.

The Council's mission is to foster efficient and economic growth for a prosperous metropolitan region.

More about the Region We Call Home (video).

Our priorities

● Create a financially sustainable 21st century transportation system

● Promote dynamic housing opportunities for all

● Leverage investments that drive regional economic development

Policy-making, planning & coordination

The Council’s 17-member policy board has guided and coordinated the strategic growth of the metro area

and achieved regional goals for nearly 50 years. Elected officials and citizens share their expertise with the

Council by serving on key advisory committees.

Strategic investments & services support regional economic vitality

The Council also provides essential services and infrastructure that support communities and businesses

and ensure a high quality of life for residents.

Retrieved from: http://www.metrocouncil.org/About-Us/The-Council-Who-We-Are.aspx

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APPENDIX C: Coding Methodology

The following is a list of the goals for the natural resources in Oakdale from the comprehensive plan.

Goal 1: Continuously pursue a balance between Oakdale’s built environment and its natural

resource system.

a. Through the implementation of the Parks and Open Space Plan and other tools, the City shall

pursue the conservation of key natural areas and features and seek to

create, restore and maintain multi-purpose greenway corridors that support nature

protection and recreational uses.

b. Utilize zoning and other regulations to ensure the functionality and compatibility of all adjacent

land uses

Goal 2: Establish and maintain a strong and ecologically healthy open space system and promote

these features as significant community assets.

a. Pursue opportunities for open space preservation through Washington County Land and Water

Legacy Program

b. Continue to enhance the environmental aspects of Oakdale Nature Preserve and

Discovery Center, Tanners Lake, The Passages of Oakdale, and other areas as appropriate.

c. Utilize interpretive signage along trails, as appropriate, to increase public awareness of the

unique natural resources in Oakdale.

Goal 3: Conserve and restore Oakdale’s significant natural features.

a. Utilize the Minnesota Land Cover Classification System (MLCCS) mapping, available through

the Metropolitan Council, along with field inventories to identify and map significant natural

features.

b. Add a shoreland ordinance to ensure quality waters at the appropriate time.

c.Continue to implement a reforestation plan for the community.

d. Through community education, collaboration, dedication, acquisition, conservation easements

and similar strategies pursue the establishment and maintenance of additional multi-purpose

greenway corridors. Also, establish and promote the environmental and recreational benefits

associated with interconnected open space systems.

The following is a list of all of the key terms identified from the goals. Key terms identified are the physical

entities being impacted by the goal and how that entity is being impacted.

Table C.1

Goal Key Terms

Goal 1 ● Natural resource system

● Built environment

● Balance

Goal 1(a) ● Conservation

● Key natural areas and features

● Multi-purpose Greenway corridors

● Create

● Restore

● Maintain

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Goal 1(b) ● Functionality

● Compatibility

● Adjacency

● Land uses

Goal 2 ● Open space

● Maintenance

● Establishment

Goal 2(a) ● Open space

● Preservation

Goal 2(b) ● Enhancement

● City owned natural resources

Goal 2(c) ● Signage

Goal 3 ● Conservation

● Restoration

● Significant natural features

Goal 3(a) ● Minnesota Land Cover Classification System (MLCCS)

● Significant natural features

Goal 3(b) ● Shoreland ordinance

Goal 3(c) ● Reforestation

Goal 3(d) ● Establishment

● Maintenance

● Greenway corridors

Goal 1: The indicators identified for ‘Goal 1’ are the ‘natural resource system’ and the ‘built environment’.

These indicators are being impacted by the ‘balance’ that is trying to be achieved between them. To

identify whether or not this balance is being met a definition for ‘natural resource system’, ‘built

environment’, and ‘balance’ is developed. Code words are developed only for the ‘natural resource system’

key indicator. Code words are only developed for this indicator because ‘built environment’ is a broad

concept that would be difficult to develop an adequate list of code words for. Without an adequate list there

would be the risk of missing important sections of the ordinances during the coding process. To avoid

missing sections relating to the ‘built environment’ the ‘purposes’ and ‘intents’ of the ordinances are used.

If the ‘purpose’ or ‘intent’ of an ordinance discusses regulations, standards, or other control mechanisms

related to the ‘built environment’ then the entire ordinance will be included in the coding process. The code

words identified for ‘natural resource system’ will then be used within the ordinances identified as

controlling the ‘built environment’. When code words are found the entire section that the codeword is

found in will be consulted. A brief discussion of how the identified section accomplishes the goal will be

provided in a table compiling the results. The table of results is located in Appendix I: Oakdale Coding

Results.

Natural resource system: A system can be thought of as a series of parts working together. In a natural

resource system, it is a series of natural resources working together. The interactions that occur between

natural resources are complex and there is still a lot unknown about all of the interactions that occur. One

C-3

major example of this is global climate change and the relative uncertainty that comes with predicting all of

the impacts that it will have on the global natural resource system. In order to protect the interactions within

the system the different components of the system must be protected. This means that the natural resources

of Oakdale will need to be protected individually. Code words developed identify the potential individual

natural resources that may be found within Oakdale’s ordinances. In order to code for natural resources the

Minnesota Environmental Rights Act was used to determine what qualifies as a natural resource.

The purpose of the Minnesota Environmental Rights Act is to give Minnesota citizens the right to protect

natural resources in a court of law. Another purpose is: “The legislature further declares its policy to create

and maintain within the state conditions under which human beings and nature can exist in productive

harmony in order that present and future generations may enjoy clean air and water, productive land, and

other natural resources with which this state has been endowed” (MN ST § 116B.01). This means that the

state’s governing bodies are responsible for maintaining natural resources within the state, this includes

small municipalities like Oakdale.

Under this statute natural resources is defined as: “shall include, but not be limited to, all mineral, animal,

botanical, air, water, land, timber, soil, quietude, recreational and historical resources. Scenic and esthetic

resources shall also be considered natural resources when owned by any governmental unit or agency”

(MN ST § 116B.02). Under this definition we are able to determine the resources that Oakdale is legally

able to protect and what to code for. While the statute includes a “not be limited to” portion describing the

natural resources protected under this statute we will not consider resources other than those explicitly

stated within this statute or within the comprehensive plans goals. Since legal protection is not guaranteed

for natural resources beyond those explicitly stated, we do not want to put the City of Oakdale in the

situation of defending policies that may not be protected under state law. Legal procedures trying to defend

policies are time consuming and costly and would be a drain on the City’s resources. Therefore when the

term ‘natural resource(s)’ is used within the comprehensive plan’s goals the resources we code for are

mineral, animal, botanical, air, water, land, timber, soil, quietude, recreational and historical, as well as,

scenic and esthetic when owned by the Oakdale governmental unit. Some of these natural resource terms

are uncommon, so to provide additional assurance that these terms are found when searching the document

related terms are also included. Additional words used for botanical are plant, turf, weed, grass, wildflower.

Additional words used for timber are wood, tree, shrub. Additional word used for quietude is noise, for

animal is wildlife.

Built Environment: The ‘built environment’ can be described as “the human-made space in which people

live, work, and recreate on a day-to-day basis”. The “built environment encompasses places and spaces

created or modified by people including buildings, parks, and transportation systems” (Roof and Oleru,

2008). The zoning and subdivision ordinances within Oakdale regulate the built environment. This can be

inferred when looking at the intent and purposes of the ordinances. Within the ‘intent and purpose’ section

(Ch. 25 Sec. 25-2) of the zoning ordinance it states: “This Ordinance shall divide the City into use districts

and establish regulations in regard to location, erection, construction, reconstruction, alteration and use of

structures and land”. The establishment of regulations around the aspects of structures and land use

demonstrates the intent of Oakdale to manage it’s built environment. When coding for the natural

environment, identified sections will be considered in their entirety and if there is a relation to structures

and land use the identified section will be considered for accomplishing the goal of balance. A brief

discussion of how the identified section accomplishes the goal will be provided in a table compiling the

results (Appendix I: Oakdale Coding Results).

Balance: In the context of the natural resource goals in the comprehensive plan balance is interpreted as:

the restriction of either the ‘built environment’ or the ‘natural resource system’ in an effort to prevent the

C-4

dominance of the landscape by either type of land use. Using this definition a balance is deemed to be

achieved by an ordinance when it attempts to provide opportunities for both land uses to coexist.

Goal 1 (a): The key indicators identified for ‘Goal 1 (a) are ‘key natural areas and features’ and ‘multi-

purpose greenway corridors’. The indicator of ‘key natural areas and features’ is being impacted by the

goal of ‘conservation’ that is trying to be achieved. The indicator of ‘multi-purpose greenway corridors’ is

being impacted by the goals of creation, restoration, and maintenance of the corridors. To identify if these

goals are being met definitions are developed for ‘key natural areas and features’, ‘conservation’, ‘multi-

purpose greenway corridors’, ‘create’, ‘restore’, and ‘maintain’. Code words are developed for ‘key natural

areas and features’ and ‘multi-purpose greenway corridors’ only. Code words that are developed will be

used to identify ordinances and codes that deal specifically with ‘key natural areas and features’ and ‘multi-

purpose greenway corridors’. Once the relevant ordinances and codes are identified they can be compared

to the definitions of ‘conservation’, creation, restoration, and maintenance to determine if the goals are

being met for those specific indicators.

Key Natural Areas and Features: The use of the word ‘key’ in this indicator implies a hierarchy of

natural areas and features where some are valued more than others. This indicator attempts to single out

certain natural areas and features for ‘conservation’. This concept of certain natural areas and features

containing more importance than others is repeated in the natural resource goals for Oakdale. In ‘Goal 3’

and ‘Goal 3 (a)’ it brings up the concept of ‘significant’ natural features. ‘Significant’ implies that certain

natural features are inherently more valuable, similar to ‘key’. For the purposes of this report ‘key’ and

‘significant’ are considered synonymous terms. This does not make the goals synonymous. ‘Goal 1 (a)’ is

focused on conservation, ‘Goal 3’ is focused on conservation and restoration, ‘Goal 3 (a)’ is focused on

identification and mapping. ‘Goal 3 (a)’ is of particular importance because it states: “Utilize the [MLCCS]

mapping, available through the Metropolitan Council, along with field inventories to identify and map

significant natural features”. This goal implies that the natural features in Oakdale that would qualify as

‘significant’ or ‘key’ have not yet been identified, nor has a system for identifying ‘significant’ or ‘key’

natural features been developed. Due to the lack of definitional or identification methods employed by

Oakdale at this present time the words ‘key’ and ‘significant’ are being omitted. In lieu of ‘key’ or

‘significant’ natural features a more holistic approach is taken. The entirety of ‘natural features’ will be

included in the development of code words and ordinances identified from those code words will be

compared to the goals of ‘conservation’ and ‘restoration’. This will mean a combining of ‘Goal 1 (a)’ and

‘Goal 3’. Combining goals may sound like it is defeating the purpose of why the goals were made separate

originally, but by considering natural features as a whole there is some conservatism built into the method.

The term ‘natural areas and features’ will be considered synonymous with ‘natural resources’. Similar to

‘natural resource system’, ‘natural resource areas and features’ are made up of individual natural resource

components. In an effort to account for all of the components code words are developed for the natural

resources individually, as was done for ‘Goal 1’. The same code words developed in ‘Goal 1’ will be

utilized and are as follows: mineral, animal, botanical, air, water, land, timber, soil, quietude, recreational,

historical, scenic, esthetic, plant, turf, weed, grass, wildflower, wood, tree, shrub, quietude, and noise.

When these terms are found within the ordinances or code a brief discussion of how the identified section

accomplishes the goal will be provided in a table compiling the results. The table of results is located in

Appendix I: Oakdale Coding Results.

Conservation (of Natural Resources):

For the City of Oakdale, conservation has a number of applications ranging from natural resources to

taxpayer money. For the purposes of Natural Resource goal 1(a), conservation is strictly referring to

natural resources and their conservation in the community. It essentially applies to careful use and

limitation of unnecessary abuse of the natural resources that can be used or displaced by the use and

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presence of human beings in the City of Oakdale. Below is a conglomerate definition and application of

conservation of natural resources:

“Conservation of natural resources, the wise use of the earth's resources by humanity. The term

conservation came into use in the late 19th cent. and referred to the management, mainly for economic

reasons, of such valuable natural resources as timber, fish, game, topsoil, pastureland, and minerals, and

also to the preservation of forests, wildlife, parkland, wilderness, and watershed areas. In recent years the

science of ecology has clarified the workings of the biosphere; i.e., the complex interrelationships among

humans, other animals, plants, and the physical environment. At the same time burgeoning population and

industry and the ensuing pollution have demonstrated how easily delicately balanced ecological

relationships can be disrupted. Conservation of natural resources is now usually embraced in the broader

conception of conserving the earth itself by protecting its capacity for self-renewal. Particularly complex

are the problems of nonrenewable resources such as oil and coal and other minerals in great demand.

Current thinking also favors the protection of entire ecological regions by the creation of "biosphere

reserves."” {(D. W. Ehrenfeld, Conserving Life on Earth (1972); D. Worsher, Nature's Economy (1977); R.

Nash, Wilderness and the American Mind (3d ed. 1982); S. P. Hays, Conservation and the Gospel of

Efficiency. (1986)) Farlex, 2013}.

Greenway Corridors: In broad terms greenway corridors can be defined as narrow strips of protected

natural resources that connect together in a network, similar to networks of highways and railroads (Fabos,

1995). In a study compiling the use and implementation of greenway corridors in multiple countries three

general categories were identified. The three major categories are:

1. A network of natural resources aimed at protecting biodiversity and wildlife. These networks often

focus on a particular aspect of the environment, such as floodplains, wetlands, rivers, coastal

areas, shorelines, or ridgelines.

2. A network of recreational opportunities made up of trails and water-based sites, considered either

independently and together.

3. Greenways consisting of historically or culturally significant sites used for a multitude of purposes

including: scenic beauty, tourism, recreational opportunities, high-quality housing, flood

prevention, and many others.

(Fabos, 1995).

According to these categories by Fabos some of the major components of greenways have already been

discussed in previous terms, those being ‘natural resources’ and ‘historical’ (historical because it is

included in natural resources). The new concepts introduced in greenway corridors are ‘networks’ and

‘recreational’ based infrastructure, such as trails. Fabos describes the networks in greenway corridors as

being akin to the networks of highways and railroads that criss-cross the country. These networks have

been built over time through a series of small segments that have become connected (Fabos, 1995). The

major component of greenway corridors is this connection that creates a network. Therefore, when the

terms developed for natural resources are coded for within the ordinances and zoning codes, the identified

ordinances and codes will be examined for language relating to connecting natural resources in the

surrounding area. Additionally, concepts of specific aspects of the environment will get their own code

words to determine if protection of overarching types is occurring. Types mentioned by Fabos include

floodplains, wetlands, rivers, coastal areas, shorelines, or ridgelines (coastal areas is not included because

Oakdale does not contain any). Lastly, code words used for recreational infrastructure include: recreation,

trail, bike path, path, and walkway.

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Create: In the context of greenway corridors create is defined as: the establishment of areas protecting

natural resources in a way that promotes connection with surrounding natural resources in an effort to

create a networked system.

Restore: The definition of restoration adapted by the Society for Ecological Restoration (SER) is as

follows: “Ecological restoration is the process of repairing damage caused by humans to the diversity and

dynamics of indigenous ecosystems.” (SER, 1995, pg. 71). In this respect when looking at the language of

the ordinances and codes, it will be considered restoration when certain parts of the natural resources are

being reintroduced that currently or previously existed there, or the removal of certain parts that are

nonindigenous.

Maintain: In the context of greenway corridors maintain is defined as: the activity of preserving natural

resources in the desired conditions along the networks of greenways. Activity can be broadly interpreted as

any action taken in an effort to prevent current or future harm to the natural resources.

Goal 1 (b): The key indicator identified for ‘Goal 1 (b)’ is ‘land use’. The indicator of ‘land use’ is being

impacted by the goal of ‘functionality’, ‘compatibility’, and ‘adjacency’. To identify if functional and

compatible land uses are being implemented on adjacent land uses definitions are developed for

‘functional’, ‘compatible’, ‘adjacent’ and ‘land use’. Code words are developed for ‘adjacency’ around the

concept of ‘land use’ boundaries in an effort to identify ordinances and code that impact the uses of land

between different land use types. Once the relevant ordinances and codes are identified they can be

compared to the definitions of ‘functionality’ and ‘compatibility’ to determine if the goals are being met for

the land use indicator.

Land use: In the definition chapter of Oakdale’s zoning code ‘use’, specifically related to land use, is

defined as: “the purpose for which land or premises or a building thereon is designated, arranged or

intended, or for which it is or may be occupied or maintained.” (Ch. 25, Sec. 8, pg. 10). Oakdale has

established zoning districts where land use is restricted to certain kinds of development. A zoning district is

defined as: “an area or areas within the limits of the City of Oakdale for which the regulations and

requirements governing the use are uniform.” (Ch. 25, Sec. 8, pg. 11). There are 19 different zoning district

types designated within the city. Since the zoning codes, specifically the designated zoning districts,

regulate the type of land use that can occur, coding for the functionality and compatibility of adjacent land

uses is performed only within the zoning chapter of Oakdale’s ordinances (Chapter 25). In the ‘intent and

purpose’ of chapter 25 it states one purpose as: “to provide for compatibility of different land uses.” (Ch.

25, Sec. 2, pg. 1).

Functionality: In the context of land use this term is defined as: the ability to accomplish the purpose for

which a particular land has been designated. In Oakdale code there is a purpose section for each of the

different district types established. When code words for adjacency are found within the zoning code of

Oakdale an argument will be made whether or not the identified sections of the zoning code promote,

hinder, or do not affect the purpose of surrounding land uses.

Compatibility: Functionality in this goal deals with the primary purpose of a land use type and if that

purpose is being impacted, compatibility deals with comparing the purposes between land uses and

determining if they conflict with each other. Another way to word it is functionality has to do with the

ability of a land use to fulfill its purpose whereas compatibility has to do with the ability of two land uses to

coexist. When code words for adjacency are found within the zoning code of Oakdale an argument will be

made whether or not the identified sections of the zoning code alleviate, worsen, or do not impact conflicts

between the purposes of different land uses.

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Adjacency: Adjacency is defined as the the point at which different land use types are touching/bordering

one another. Code words developed for adjacency will aid in identifying zoning codes that determine how

two different use types interact. Code words used are: adjacent, abut, adjoin, contiguous, border, premise,

surround.

Goal 2: The key indicator identified for ‘Goal 2’ is ‘open space’. The indicator of ‘open space’ is being

impacted by the goals of ‘maintenance’ and ‘establishment’. To identify if these goals are being met

definitions are developed for ‘open space’, ‘maintenance’, and ‘establishment’. Code words are developed

for ‘open space’ only. Code words that are developed will be used to identify ordinances and codes that

deal specifically with ‘open space’. Once the relevant ordinances and codes are identified they can be

compared with the definitions of ‘maintenance’ and ‘establishment’ to determine if the goals are being met.

Open Space: In Oakdale’s zoning code open space is defined as: “Open Space shall be that part of the area

within the property to be developed that can be utilized in either active or passive activities, as reviewed by

the Planning Commission and approved by the City Council.” (Ch. 25, Sec. 8, pg. 7).

Goal 2(a): The key indicator identified in ‘Goal 2(a)’ is ‘open space’ and is impacted through the

‘preservation’ of it in the communities in the City of Oakdale and the natural resources found in and around

these open spaces. The term ‘open space’ is being coded for in the context of the City Ordinances, and the

term ‘preservation’ is being defined by outside sources for the purposes of complete understanding as to

further the implementation of the natural resource goals.

Open Space: See ‘Open Space’, above.

Preservation: For the use in context in this report, see ‘conservation’, Goal 1(a).

Goal 2(b): The key indicator identified for ‘Goal 2 (b) is ‘city owned natural resources’. The indicator is

being impacted by the goal of ‘enhancement’. A definition of ‘natural resources’ and associated code words

was created in ‘Goal 1 (a)’, please refer to this goal for the definition and associated code words. To

identify if the goal of ‘enhancement’ is being met a definition is developed. ‘Goal 2 (b)’ refers to enhancing

the ‘environmental aspects’ of several city owned natural areas (Oakdale Nature Preserve and Discovery

Center, Tanners Lake, The Passages of Oakdale). Similar to arguments made for ‘natural areas and

features’, ‘environmental aspects’ is considered to be synonymous with ‘natural resources’ because the

environment is simply the aggregate of many natural resources together. For the purposes of this goal

‘environmental aspect’ will use the ‘natural resources’ definition and code words. Since the goal refers

specifically to several city owned natural areas, only sections of ordinance and code that deal with city

owned natural resources will be considered applicable. Once relevant ordinances and zoning code have

been identified they will be compared to the definition of ‘enhancement’ to determine if the goal is being

met.

Enhancement: In the context of natural resources enhancement will be considered: the action of improving

any aspect of the natural resources. The aspects considered relevant must relate to the health of the natural

resources. The ordinances and zoning codes identified will be discussed to determine if they relate to the

health of the natural resources.

City Owned Natural Resources: See ‘natural resources’, above.

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Goal 2(c): The key indicator identified for ‘Goal 2 (c)’ is ‘signage’. The indicator is being impacted by its

utilization in ‘interpretive’ form to increase public awareness of natural resources in Oakdale. In Chapter

25, Article 19 is titled ‘Signs and Signage’ and it establishes all of the regulations determining the use of

signs in the city. Instead of coding for ‘signage’, article 19 will be considered in its entirety since there is an

entire article devoted to managing signs. A discussion will be made whether or not regulations are

restricting ‘signage’ in a manner that would prevent ‘interpretive’ use in the context of natural resources.

Signage: ‘Sign’ is defined within Article 19 of Chapter 25 as follows: “Any letter, word or symbol, device,

poster, picture, statuary, reading matter or representation in the nature of an advertisement, announcement,

message or visual communication whether painted, posted, printed, affixed or constructed, which is

displayed outdoors for informational or communicative purposes” (Ch. 25, Sec. 25-181 to 25-200, pg. 95).

Goal 3: The key indicator of ‘Goal 3’ is ‘significant natural features’. The indicator is being impacted by

the goals of ‘restoration’ and ‘conservation’. To identify if these goals are being met definitions are

developed for ‘significant natural resources’, ‘conservation’, and ‘restoration’. As discussed previously,

‘significant natural features’ will be considered as ‘natural resources’ and the definition and code words

developed for ‘natural resources’ will be utilized for ‘significant natural features’. Definitions for

‘restoration’ and ‘conservation’ have already been discussed in previous goals. Once relevant ordinances

and zoning codes have been identified they will be compared against the goals of ‘conservation’ and

‘restoration’ to determine if they have been achieved.

Significant natural features: See ‘key natural areas and features’ and ‘natural resources’, above.

Conservation: See ‘conservation’, above.

Restoration: See ‘restore’, above.

Goal 3(a): Goals ‘3 (a)’ and ‘3 (b)’ are unique from other goals in that they specify a particular tool to be

utilized. For ‘Goal 3 (a)’ the tool is the Minnesota Land Cover Classification System (MLCCS). The goal

will not be reached until this particular tool is utilized. Determining if this goal has been accomplished will

require identifying if the MLCCS tool has been incorporated into city ordinances and zoning codes. The

one code word used to identify relevant ordinances and zoning code is the Minnesota Land Cover

Classification System (MLCCS). The MLCCS is used to identify ‘significant natural resources’ and as

discussed in previous sections ‘significant natural resources’ is considered synonymous with ‘natural

resources’. If the MLCCS is identified within the city ordinances and zoning codes a brief discussion will

be made if the identified section is specific to natural resources.

Minnesota Land Cover Classification System (MLCCS): See ‘Goal 3 (a)’, above. The one code word

developed is the Minnesota Land Cover Classification System (MLCCS).

Significant Natural Features: See ‘natural resources’ and ‘significant key and natural areas’, above. The

code words developed for ‘natural resources’ are not used for this goal because use of the Minnesota Land

Cover Classification System (MLCCS) is the main indicator of success for this goal and not the ‘natural

resources’.

Goal 3(b): This goal focuses on the water quality aspect of the water in the City of Oakdale, namely

Tanner’s Lake in the form of a shoreland ordinance. This goal’s key indicator is ‘shoreland ordinance’, and

that is what will be focused on for this portion of the report. Up to this point, we have discussed this option

with some local experts who do not believe this goal to be financially or politically feasible at this point in

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time due to the state of transition on the eastern part of the shore and ownership split between different

municipalities. Coding and discussion of a shoreland ordinance will not be done within this report.

Goal 3(c): The key indicator in this goal is ‘reforestation’. It is largely focused on in the city ordinance

dedicated to trees, which is chapter 22. Reforestation and similar terms and concepts will be coded for in

the series of city ordinances, and will also be defined in terms of reforestation in context to the City of

Oakdale.

Reforestation: In the city of Oakdale, reforestation will refer to the preservation of existing trees and tree

stands of ecological importance (see Figure 2 - Note that these listed tree species include species of

ecological importance but are not limited to these specific species). They are defined in the city code under

City Ordinance 22: Trees. Significant trees and woodlands are defined as follows:

“Significant Tree: A healthy tree measuring a minimum of eight inches in Diameter for hardwood

Deciduous Trees or a minimum of 12 inches in Diameter for softwood Deciduous Trees measured at 54

inches above the ground, and a minimum of 12 feet in height for Coniferous/Evergreen Trees.

Significant Woodland: A grouping or cluster of Coniferous and/or upland Deciduous Trees, occupying 500

or more square feet of property, which are comprised predominantly of a single species of Deciduous Trees

between four inches and twelve inches in Diameter or Coniferous Trees between four feet and twelve feet

in height.” (City Code, Chapter 22, Article 2, Section 22-2).

The replacement schedule for each of these trees, in accordance with Article IV, Section 22-5 (See also,

Figure 3) includes the following requirements:

“Sec. 22-5. General Requirements. Developers and builders will be required to replace all significant tree

and significant woodlands that were indicated on the Tree Preservation Plan to:

(a) Be saved, but which were ultimately destroyed or damaged and,

(b) Be replaced, in accordance with the tree preservation requirements.

These replacement trees shall be in conjunction with any other landscape requirements of the city.” (City

Code, Chapter 22, Article 4, Section 22-5-6).

Disease control is also a significant part of maintaining wooded areas and individual trees. Article 6 in

Chapter 22 discusses all of the ramifications for the City of Oakdale regarding the upkeep of wooded areas

and individual trees, and regulations regarding proper disposal and maintenance of infected areas (specific

aspects of the code in this section have been selected and placed here due to their relevancy regarding

reforestation - refer to city code for complete regulations).

Sec. 22-10. Findings of Fact, Declaration of Purpose. The city has determined that there are many trees

growing on public and private premises within the city, the loss of which would substantially depreciate the

value of public and private premises, and impair the safety, good order, general welfare and convenience

of the public. The City Council has determined that the health and life of such trees is threatened by fatal

diseases and insects such as Dutch Elm, Oak Wilt, and Emerald Ash Borer. The City Council hereby

declares its intention to control and prevent the spread of such diseases and the insect pests and vectors that

carry such disease and declares them a public nuisance.

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Sec. 22-11. Intent Declared; Authority; Coordination of Program. It is the intention of the City Council to

adopt and enforce regulations to control and prevent the spread of plant pests and diseases pursuant to the

authority granted by Minnesota Statutes Section 18G.13. These regulations are directed specifically at the

control and elimination of Dutch Elm Disease, Oak Wilt, and Emerald Ash Borer and other epidemic

diseases and infestations of shade trees and is undertaken at the recommendation of the Commissioner of

Agriculture. The City Forester shall act as coordinator between the Commissioner of Agriculture and the

City Council in the enforcement of these regulations.

Sec. 22-12. Position of Forester Created; General Duties. The position of City Forester is hereby created. It

is the duty of the City Forester to coordinate, under the direction and control of the City Council, all duties

of the city relating to the control and prevention of Dutch Elm disease, Oak Wilt disease, Emerald Ash

Borer infestation and other epidemic diseases and insect infestations of shade trees, and perform the duties

incident to such a program adopted by the City Council.

Sec. 22-13. Nuisances Declared. The following things are public nuisances whenever they may be found

within the city:

(a) Any living or standing Elm tree or part thereof infected with the Dutch Elm disease fungus, Ceratocystis

Ulmi (Buisam) Moreau; or which harbors any of the Elm Bark Beetles, Scolytus Multistriatus (Eich.) or

Hylurgopinus Rufipes (Marsh.);

(b) Any living or standing Oak tree or part thereof infected to any degree with the Oak Wilt fungus,

Ceratocysitis Fagacerarum.

(c) Any dead Elm or Oak tree or part thereof, including logs, branches, stumps, firewood or other material

from which the bark has not been removed and burned.

(d) Any living or dead Fraxinus spp tree or part thereof infested to any degree with the insect Emerald Ash

Borer (Agrilus Planipennis).

Sec. 22-14. Inspections Required; Right to Enter. The City Forester, or authorized agent, shall inspect all

premises and places within the city as often as practical to determine whether any condition described in

Section 22-13 exists thereon. The City Forester shall investigate all reported incidents of infection and

infestation by Dutch Elm fungus, Elm Bark Beetles, Oak Wilt disease and Emerald Ash Borer. The City

Forester or authorized agents may enter upon private premises at any reasonable time for the purpose of

carrying out any of the duties assigned to them under this Chapter.

Chapter 22 – Page 10

Sec. 22-15. Authority to Take Specimens. Whenever necessary to determine the existence of Dutch Elm

Disease, Elm Bark Beetles, Oak Wilt, or Emerald Ash Borer in any tree, the City Forester or authorized

agent may remove or cut specimens from the tree as may be necessary or desirable for diagnosis. The City

Forester or authorized agent may forward such specimens to a lab approved by the Minnesota Department

of Agriculture for analysis to determine the presence of such disease or infestation. No action to remove

living trees or wood shall be taken by the City until diagnosis of the disease or infestation has been made

by detection by the City Forester or authorized agent of commonly recognized symptoms, by lab tests, or

written consent to the action is obtained from the property owner.

Sec. 22-16. Abatement Generally.

(a) No action to remove, destroy, dispose or require the removal, destruction and disposal of Elm trees,

wood infested with Dutch Elm Disease fungus, Oak trees infected by Oak Wilt fungus or Fraxinus spp

(Ash) trees or wood harboring Emerald Ash Borer will be taken by the city until a diagnosis of the disease

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or infestation has been made by detection by the City Forester or agent of commonly recognized symptoms,

by lab tests or written consent to the action is obtained from the property owner. When such diagnosis has

been made or consent is obtained, the infected or infested tree or wood must be removed, destroyed and

disposed of in a manner that will effectively destroy and prevent as completely as possible the spread of the

disease or insect infestation.

(b) When the presence of Elm Bark Beetles has been discovered in or upon any living Elm tree but the

presence of Dutch Elm Disease fungus is not then or thereafter diagnosed, the city will require that the tree

be treated in a manner that will effectively destroy and prevent the spread of the insect as much as possible.

If the City Forester or authorized agent deems that such treatment is not, or because of the extent of the

infestation, cannot be effective, the tree must be removed and destroyed.

(c) When the presence of Emerald Ash Borer has been discovered in or upon a living Fraxinus (Ash) tree,

the city will require that the tree be treated in a manner which will effectively destroy and prevent the

spread of the insect as much as possible. If the City Forester or authorized agent deems that such treatment

is not or, because of the extent of infestation, cannot be effective, the tree must be removed and destroyed.

(d) Standing dead Elm and Ash trees and Elm and Ash logs, branches, stumps, firewood or other raw

material from which the bark has not been removed and which are not infected or infested with Dutch Elm

Disease fungus or Emerald Ash Borer must have their bark removed or

destroyed or must be treated in a manner which will effectively destroy and prevent as much as possible the

spread of the Elm Bark Beetle or the Emerald Ash Borer. If such treatment is not effective, or, because of

the extent of infection or infestation, cannot be effective, the trees, logs, branches, stumps, firewood or

other raw material must be removed and destroyed.

(e) The City Forester shall establish a policy with specifications and procedures that are consistent with the

specifications and procedures designated or approved by the Commissioner of Agriculture for the

treatment, removal, destruction and disposal of trees logs, branches, stumps, firewood and other raw

material infected or infested with Dutch Elm Disease fungus, Elm Bark Beetles, Oak Wilt fungus and

Emerald Ash Borer.

Sec. 22-18. Transporting Diseased or Infested Wood. It shall be unlawful for any person to

transport within the city any diseased or infested bark-bearing Elm wood, Oak wood, or Ash wood known

to be diseased or infested, without having obtained a written permit from the City Forester or authorized

agent. The City Forester or authorized agent shall grant such permits only when the purpose of this article

shall be served thereby.

Sec. 22-19. Treatment of Nearby Trees. Whenever the City Forester or authorized agent determines that

any tree or wood within the city is infected or infested with Dutch Elm Disease fungus, Oak Wilt, or

Emerald Ash Borer, upon obtaining the consent of the property owner, the City Forester or authorized

agent may treat all nearby high value trees with an effective destroying insecticide. Activities authorized by

this section shall be conducted in accordance with technical and expert opinions and plans of the

Commissioner of Agriculture and under the supervision of the Commissioner and agents whenever

possible.

Sec. 22-20. Interfering with Enforcement. It is unlawful for any person to prevent, delay or interfere with

the City Forester or authorized agent while he or she is engaged in the performance of duties imposed.

Sec. 22-21. License Required for Commercial Tree Cutting, Trimming, Pruning, Removal, or Spraying.

(a) License Required. It shall be unlawful for any individual, partnership or corporation to

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conduct as a business the cutting, trimming, pruning, removal, spraying or otherwise treating of trees in the

city without having first secured a license from the city to conduct such a business. Licenses issued under

this section shall expire on December 31 of each year.

(e) Chemical Treatment Requirements. Applicants who propose to use chemical substances in any activity

related to treatment or disease control of trees shall file with the city proof that the applicant or the

employee of the applicant administering such treatment has been licensed by the Minnesota Department of

Agriculture as a Commercial Pesticide Applicator for the current year of operation.” (City Code Chapter

22, Article 6, selected sections).

Goal 3(d): The key indicator for ‘Goal 3 (d)’ is ‘greenway corridors’. The indicator is being impacted by

the goals of ‘establishment’ and ‘maintenance’. To identify if these goals are being met definitions are

developed for ‘greenway corridors’, ‘establishment’, and ‘maintenance’. Code words are developed for

‘greenway corridors’ and will identify relevant ordinances and zoning codes. ‘Goal 3 (d)’ mentions other

tools for the possible ‘establishment’ and ‘maintenance’ of ‘greenway corridors’ including “community

education, collaboration, dedication, acquisition, conservation easements and similar strategies”. The other

tools mentioned are not considered for coding purposes because the main achievements sought by those

tools are ‘establishment’ and ‘maintenance’. As long as the goals of ‘establishment’ and ‘maintenance’ are

met then success has been achieved and the tool is of less importance.

Establishment: For the context of this methodology establishment is considered synonymous with ‘create’.

Please refer to ‘create’, above.

Maintenance: See ‘maintain’, above.

Greenway Corridors: See ‘greenway corridors’, above.

D-1

APPENDIX D: Standard City Interview Script

Minnesota GreenStep Cities Program – Standard City Questions

Interviewee:

Title:

Date:

For the first part of the interview, we would like to gather some background information about the

GreenStep Cities program, (name of city), and your involvement.

1. Tell us a little about (name of city). What is life like here and why do people choose to live here?

2. Why did (city) decide to participate in the voluntary GreenStep Cities program?

3. When did you begin working with (city) and when did you start considering the GreenStep Cities

program?

4. What are your responsibilities with respect to the GreenStep Cities program?

5. What are the advantages of the GreenStep Cities program for (these may be different than the

reasons you joined the program to begin with):

a. City government

b. City residents

Now we would like to transition into talking a little more about the implementation of the program at the

municipal level?

6. The GreenStep Cities program includes a wide variety of communities in terms of population and

geographic location, with each possessing their own goals and challenges? Very much like (name of city),

we are working with a suburban community here in the metro. Are there any specific challenges that

suburban communities face when implementing the GreenStep Cities program? Specific

opportunities?

7. Has (name of city) incorporated the GreenStep Cities program into any of its comprehensive

planning goals?

8. Have you utilized the model ordinances provided by the GreenStep Cities program? If yes,

how? If no, why not?

9. It appears that (name of city) had already implemented actions for # best practices before even

joining the GreenStep program. What criteria did you use to decide on additional actions and

additional best practices (i.e., cost, time, human capital?)

10. One area of this report that we are particularly interested in is how cities might be able to use the

GreenStep Cities program to achieve some of their natural resources planning goals outlined in the

comprehensive plan. Do you believe the GreenStep Cities program can be used as a tool to implement

some of the comp plan goals? How effective has the program been for (city) on this front?

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Finally, we would like to discuss the future of the program and how you see it changing over time?

11. In what ways do you see your involvement in the GreenStep Cities program evolving over the

next decade?

12. Are there any areas you think the GreenStep Cities program will need to focus more on in the next

decade?

Now that you know a little about our objectives for this report, is there anything you believe we haven’t

touched on but should?

If yes, continue interview.

If no, proceed to conclusion.

We want to thank you for taking the time to talk with us today. This information will be extremely helpful

moving forward and provides a lot of insight for our clients. In the event that we have a follow-up question

or need clarification, can we contact you at _______________?

Exchange contact information.

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APPENDIX E: Mayoral Interview Guide

Oakdale Mayoral Interview 10/25/13

Hello Mayor Sarrack! Thank you for taking the time today to talk with us. We are working on developing a

sustainable natural resource policy framework for the Oakdale, using information from the Comprehensive

Plan, your city code, other municipal documents, observations, and conversations from experts like

yourself in and around the community.

We are going to ask you a set of 10 questions that discuss the Oakdale community, sustainability, and

management of natural resources:

1. How would you describe your community?

2. What does sustainability mean to you in the context of the City of Oakdale?

3. What are some of the challenges that Oakdale is currently facing in achieving environmental

sustainability?

4. What is Oakdale doing well?

5. What are some opportunities, primarily in a city policy context, you see that exist for Oakdale to

better achieve environmental sustainability and communication of its work?

6. In the Comprehensive Plan, Oakdale identified the following natural resource goals:

“Goal 1: Continuously pursue a balance between Oakdale’s built environment and its natural resource

system.

Goal 2: Establish and maintain a strong and ecologically healthy open space system and promote these

features as significant community assets.

Goal 3: Conserve and restore Oakdale’s significant natural features.”

As a municipal official, how do you use the Comprehensive Plan, and how well do you think Oakdale

is doing at achieving these goals? What could be improved?

7. Where do you see Oakdale in 15 years?

8. Your council resolved to participate in the GreenStep Cities Program in 2011? What was this

process like? How did you come to that decision? How do you think the program has and can help

Oakdale?

9. We have heard that there was reluctance at some point around a community garden? Can you

speak to that? Additionally, are there any land management practices that Oakdale is hesitant about

performing?

10. Now that you know a little about our objectives for this report, is there anything you believe we

haven’t touched on but should?

If yes, continue interview.

E-2

If no, proceed to conclusion.

We want to thank you for taking the time to talk with us today. This information will be extremely helpful

moving forward with our report.

Thanks again, and have a great day.

.

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APPENDIX F: City Council Focus Group Guide

Oakdale City Council Focus Group 10/21/13

Hello council members! Thank you for taking the time today to talk with us. We are working on developing

a sustainable natural resource policy framework for the Oakdale, using information from the

Comprehensive Plan, your city code, other municipal documents, observations, and conversations from

experts like yourselves in and around the community.

For the first part, we would like you to respond to the following independently for about 10 minutes:

1. How would you describe your community?

2. What does sustainability mean to you in the context of the City of Oakdale?

3. What are some of the challenges that Oakdale is currently facing in achieving environmental

sustainability?

4. What is Oakdale doing well?

5. What are some opportunities, primarily in a city policy context, you see that exist for Oakdale to

better achieve environmental sustainability and communication of its work?

6. In the Comprehensive Plan, Oakdale identified the following natural resource goals:

“Goal 1: Continuously pursue a balance between Oakdale’s built environment and its natural resource

system.

Goal 2: Establish and maintain a strong and ecologically healthy open space system and promote these

features as significant community assets.

Goal 3: Conserve and restore Oakdale’s significant natural features.”

As a municipal official, how do you use the Comprehensive Plan, and how well do you think Oakdale

is doing at achieving these goals? What could be improved?

7. Where do you see Oakdale in 15 years?

Now we will dig deeper by discussing these questions and a couple others. [Go through each of the above

questions.] Is it all right if we record our conversation?

8. Your council resolved to participate in the GreenStep Cities Program in 2011? What was this

process like? How did you come to that decision? How do you think the program has and can help

Oakdale?

9. Now that you know a little about our objectives for this report, is there anything you believe we

haven’t touched on but should?

If yes, continue interview.

If no, proceed to conclusion.

F-2

We want to thank you for taking the time to talk with us today. This information will be extremely helpful

moving forward with our report.

Thanks again, and have a great day

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APPENDIX G: Oakdale Site Description

The City of Oakdale is an 11.3 square mile municipality that lies immediately east of the City of Saint Paul

in Washington County, and is home to 27,699 people who make up 11,090 households. Of these people,

79% are Caucasian, 8% are Asian, 6% are African American, 4% are Hispanic, and the rest of the

population identifies as another category. The household types vary somewhat evenly between families

without children, families with children, single individuals, and non-family households. The majority of

the population is fairly well educated with the vast majority having completed high school and another

large percentage having completed some higher education. The make-up is as follows: 31% of people in

Oakdale have a high school degree, and 29% have at least attended some college. Associate degrees make

up 9% of the population, Bachelor degrees 18%, and graduate or professional degrees 6%. 7% of Oakdale

residents have not graduated from high school. The Metropolitan Council has the population and

household estimates for the City of Oakdale to be 30,000 and 13,000 respectively.

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APPENDIX H: Oakdale Coding Results

Table H.1

Code Word

Section

Identified Goals Accomplished Discussion

Land Sec. 21-1(b) 1(a), 3: Conservation

Conserves land by promoting efficient,

standardized land use.

Land Sec. 21-10(b)

1: Balance

2: Establishment

1(a), 2(a), 3:

Conservation

1(a): Create

1 and 2: Balances built environment by allowing

city to require open space/natural resource area

preservation on subdivision plans. 1(a) and 3:

Allows for conservation of land for public use.

1(a): City can require land for public use in the

form of trails.

Land Sec. 22-1

1: Balance

1(a), 3: Conservation

1: Balances built environment by protecting trees

during development or redevelopment projects.

1(a) and 3: The purpose of the ordinance is to

conserve trees on the land.

Land Sec. 22-9(b)

1: Balance

1(a), 3: Conserve

2: Establish

Ordinance provides flexibility in development

standards, allowing increased density, when it

allows for the protection of natural resources. 1:

Balances built environment by trying to limit its

impact on the environment. 1(a) and 3:

Conserves land available for natural resources. 2:

Establishes open space area on a parcel set for

development when appropriate.

Land

Article 6: Sec.

25-24(c),

Article 7: Sec.

25-31(c),

Article 8: Sec.

25-37(c),

Article 17: Sec.

25-136

1: Balance

1(a), 3: Conserve

1: Balances by restricting amount of impervious

surface to reduce damaging runoff. 1(a) and 3:

Conserves by limiting runoff which has negative

impacts on natural resources.

Land

Article 17: Sec.

25-128 1(a), 3: Conservation

Conserves land for the purpose of "protecting the

purity, utility and ecological functions of the

City's wetlands, water bodies, watercourses, and

the land features critically linked to their natural

functions."

Land

Article 17: Sec.

25-133(b)

1: Balance

1(a), 3: Conserve

1: Balances by restricting development on

sensitive land that if developed on could have

negative impacts on the natural system. 1(a) and

3: Conserves sensitive land that aids in

protecting wetland systems.

Land

Article 17: Sec.

25-139(a) 1: Balance

Balances by limiting filling to the specific

natural resource conditions of the site so as not to

damage the system.

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Soil

Sec. 5-9(c-d),

Sec. 21-27(c)

1: Balance

1(a), 3: Conserve

1: Balances by regulating built environment to

minimize soil erosion. 1(a), 3: Conserves natural

environment by minimizing soil erosion.

Soil Sec. 22-3(7) 1(a), 3: Conserve

Conserves soil by requiring that no change in soil

chemistry occur that could negatively impact the

trees present on the site.

Soil

Article 17: Sec.

25-134

1: Balance

1(a), 3: Conserve

1: Balances by restricting development if soil

conditions are not appropriate. 1(a), 3: Conserves

by protecting sensitive soil types.

Noise Sec. 6-21 1(a), 3: Conserve

Conserves by limiting noise pollution from

'hauler's.

Noise Sec. 9-76 1: Balance

Balances built environment impact on noise

pollution by restricting 'unreasonably audible'

noises.

Noise Sec. 12-26 1: Balance

Balances by restricting unreasonable noise

outputs by motor vehicles.

Noise Sec. 13-2(21) 1: Balance

Balances by considering it a misdemeanor if

disruptive noise is being emitted for an ongoing

period.

Noise Sec. 15-27 1(a), 3: Conserve

Conserves noise in parks, where there are a lot of

natural features, by prohibiting 'unnecessary,

excessive, and annoying noises'.

Noise Sec. 19-4(a)

1: Balance

1(a), 3: Conserve

There is a general provision limiting noises that

annoy, disturb, injure, or endanger. This balances

noise by restricting noise types from the built

environment and conserves the noises within the

natural system by allowing them to remain

audible over the sounds of human activities.

Noises are restricted to levels allowed by the

Minnesota Pollution Control Standards.

Noise Sec. 22-1 1: Balance

One purpose of the tree ordinance is to allow for

noise buffers which balance human activity

related noises and those within natural systems.

Recreation Sec. 3-3 1(a), 3: Conserve

Limits on recreational fires helps conserve air

quality.

Recreation Sec. 11-6(c) 1: Balance

Balances built environment within manufactured

home parks by requiring recreational spaces.

Recreation Sec. 15-2 2: Establish

The Parks and Recreation Commission is

responsible for developing plans for the creation

of open space and recreation areas.

Recreation Sec. 15-9

1(a), 3: Conserve

2(a): Preservation

The city seeks the preservation of recreational

areas through open space preservation.

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Recreation Sec. 15-11

1: Balance

2: Maintain

Limits activities on open space that would

damage vegetation and habitat.

Recreation Sec. 25-64(a) 1: Balance

Balances built environment in manufactured

home parks by requiring a set amount of land be

set aside for recreational activities.

Recreation

Article 18: Sec.

25-175

1: Balance

1(a), 3: Conserve

Lighting restrictions reduce light pollution which

balances the built environments impacts and

conserves the natural system in its native state.

Scenic Sec. 15-9 1(a), 3: Conserve

One purpose of open space preservation is to

preserve scenic vistas.

Scenic Sec. 22-1 1(a), 3: Conserve

Preserving scenic beauty is one purpose for the

tree ordinance.

Scenic

Article 3: Sec.

25-15(f)

1: Balance

1(a), 3: Conserve

Special use permits require that the scenic

features be incorporated into the application so

they are minimally impacted. This balances

development impacts and conserves scenic

attributes.

Aesthetic

Article 16: Sec.

25-114 1: Balance

One purpose of the Planned Unit Development

ordinance is to create 'aesthetically pleasing'

developments, which would aid in balancing the

aesthetic side of the built environment versus the

natural environment.

Plant Sec. 9-59 1(a), 3: Conserve

Restricts timing of fertilizer and pesticide

application to prevent runoff and damage to

water bodies.

Plant

Sec. 11-5(d),

Article 11: Sec.

25-61 3: Restoration

There is a requirement that trees be planted in

front of manufactured home sites.

Plant Sec. 13-2A-2 1(a), 3: Conserve

Prevents air pollution by individuals that would

cause deleterious effects to trees, plants, or other

vegetation.

Plant Sec. 15-11 1(a), 3: Conserve

Prevents removal or planting of vegetation from

open spaces in an effort to preserve their quality.

Plant Sec. 21-32(g) 2(b): Enhancement

Subdivision plans must contain an approved

landscaping plan detailing what plants will be

planted.

Plant Sec. 24-5 2(b): Enhancement

One purpose of the maintenance of boulevards is

to 'enhance and improve' the aesthetic

appearance of city streets with beneficial

vegetation.

Plant

Article 18: Sec.

25-152(b), 25-

1: Balance

2(b): Restoration

1: Balances built environment by requiring a

certain tree density. 2(b): Restores natural

H-4

175(h) environment if it has been disrupted by requiring

a certain density of trees in multi-family housing,

commercial, and industrial sites.

Weed Sec. 24-1 1(a), 3: Conserve

One purpose of the turf grass and vegetation

management ordinance is to control noxious

weeds, which have the potential to spread and

negatively impact surrounding natural resources.

Grass Sec. 23-51(3.3) 3: Restoration

Municpal is required to restore grass and other

vegetation to a site after projects.

Wood Sec. 22-1 1(a), 3: Conserve

Conserves woodland areas by not allowing clear

cutting without a permit.

Wood Sec. 22-18 1(a), 3: Conserve

Cannot transport diseased wood within the city,

this is done to prevent spread of the disease and

conserve trees.

Tree Chapter 22

1: Balance

1(a), 3: Conserve

3: Restoration

3(c): Implementation

Chapter 22 details the tree ordinance. 1: Balances

built environment by requiring significant trees

and woodland areas be protected during

development. 1(a), 3: Conserves trees during

development projects. 3: Requires restoration of

significant trees that are removed during

development. Development projects are required

to have a tree preservation plan.

Tree

Article 18: Sec.

25-152(g) 1(a), 3: Conserve

There must be minimal removal of tree cover

during site development in order to conserve

benefits of tree cover.

Tree

Article 18: Sec.

25-161(b) 1: Balance

Parking areas must be balanced by having

vegetated areas on the borders, trees being on

possibility.

Wildlife Sec. 4-24

1: Balance

1(a), 3: Conserve

1: There is a prohibition for feeding wildlife,

which helps balance human activities impact on

the natural environment. 1(a), 3: Not allowing

the feeding of wildlife preserves wildlife feeding

habits and the continuation of natural processes.

Wildlife Sec. 9-133

1: Balance

1(a), 3: Conserve

1: Restricting use of tar-based sealers in the built

environment helps protect environmental quality

in the natural environment. 1(a), 3: Reducing

runoff from tar-based sealers helps conserve

environmental quality.

Wildlife Sec. 15-15 1(a), 3: Conserve

Wildlife is conserved by not allowing their

hunting, trapping, injuring or the introduction of

foreign wildlife that could be potentially

harmful.

Animal

Sec. 13-4, Sec.

13-14 1(a), 3: Conserve

Animals are conserved by prohibiting the taking

or trapping of any wild animals.

H-5

Air Sec. 6-21 1(a), 3: Conserve

Heavy truck operators within the city must apply

for a license. This is done to conserve roadways

and air quality.

Air

Sec. 13-2A-1,

2A-2 1(a), 3: Conserve

Activities cannot violate Minnesota Pollution

Control Agency air quality standards.

Air

Article 24: Sec.

25-256 1(a), 3: Conserve

Air quality is conserved by restricting the usage

of outdoor furnaces.

Water Sec. 5-6

1(a), 3: Conserve

2(b): Enhancement

Establishes a Stormwater Management Fund.

Management of the storm water conserves and

enhances water quality.

Water

Sec. 5-9,

Article 18: Sec.

25-164(a) and

(c) 1: Balance

Developments require drainage plans to ensure

no negative consequences, such as erosion, flood

damage, etc. Drainage plans try to balance the

impact of the built environment and subsequent

runoff impacts.

Water

Sec. 13-2, Sec.

23-65 1(a), 3: Conserve

Obstruction of waterways is considered a

nuisance. Proper flow of waterways is important

for the life processes of many species. Trying to

prevent obstruction helps preserve the species

that exist there.

Water

Sec. 15-14,

Sec. 23-63,

Article 3: 25-

15 1(a), 3: Conserve

Conserves water quality by prohibiting pollution

of water bodies.

Water Sec. 21-29(b) 1(a), 3: Conserve

Easements are granted to the city to manage

proper storm water runoff, which helps conserve

water quality.

Water Sec. 21-29(d) 1(a), 3: Conserve

Conserves water quality by utilizing design

standards that limit stormwater runoff.

Water Sec. 21-29(e) 1(a), 3: Conserve

Wetlands and stormwater ponding areas are

deeded to the city with required buffers to

conserve water quality.

Water Sec. 23-6 1(a), 3: Conserve

Limits lawn watering to conserve the quantity of

fresh water.

Water Sec. 23-67 1(a), 3: Conserve

Facilities with NPDES permits are required to

utilize BMPs that keep pollutants out of the

water systems and conserve water quality.

Water Sec. 24-5 2(b): Enhancement

Property owners are responsible for maintaining

boulevards, which aid in improving water

quality.

Water

Article 17: Sec.

25-128 1(a), 3: Conserve

The purpose of this article is "the preservation,

protection, proper maintenance, and use of the

H-6

City's wetlands, water bodies, and watercourses.

These objectives are intended to be accomplished

by protecting the water retention and discharge

capability, minimizing damage due to flooding

and storm sewer runoff, and protecting the

purity, utility and ecological functions of the

City's wetlands, water bodies, water courses, and

the land features critically linked to their natural

functions."

Water

Article 18: Sec.

25-152(e) 1(a), 3: Conserve

Natural impoundment areas are to be retained as

much as possible to reduce runoff and conserve

water quality.

Floodplain Article 25 -

Article 25 discusses the requirements that must

be met to develop in the floodplain but does not

discuss connectivity of the floodplain or

protection to enhance environmental features in a

way that might be construed as a greenway

corridor.

Wetland

Article 17: Sec.

25-128 1(a): Maintain

The purpose of this article is "the preservation,

protection, proper maintenance, and use of the

City's wetlands, water bodies, and watercourses.

These objectives are intended to be accomplished

by protecting the water retention and discharge

capability, minimizing damage due to flooding

and storm sewer runoff, and protecting the

purity, utility and ecological functions of the

City's wetlands, water bodies, watercourses, and

the land features critically linked to their natural

functions." This purpose fits with the first

definition provided for greenway corridors that

attempts to protect biodiversity and wildlife.

Trail Sec. 15-12 1(a): Create

One purpose of this section is to secure trails for

use and enjoyment.

Trail Sec. 21-10(b) 1(a): Create

The requirement for land dedication during

subdivisions can be used for the purpose of

providing trails.

Bike path Sec. 24-1 1(a): Maintain

Landowners are not allowed to let vegetation go

to seed or grow in bike paths.

Path Sec. 21-29(b) 1(a): Create

In subdivisions easements for a public path may

be required in a Planned Unit Development.

Adjacent

Sec. 5-9(a),

Sec. 21-29(d) 1(b): Functionality

Ensures that drainage does not result in flooding

on adjacent properties resulting in the inability

for the property to function.

Adjacent Sec. 7-4 1(b): Compatibility

Restricts how close compost can be to property

line in an effort to prevent intrusive odors and

unsightly refuse that result in incompatible

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neighboring land uses.

Adjacent Sec. 13-2(19) 1(b): Compatibility

Properties must be maintained in conformity and

harmony with surrounding properties and this

helps ensure compatibility of property usage.

Adjacent

Sec. 19-4(b),

Article 18: Sec.

25-176(c) 1(b): Functionality

Limits the noise levels of adjacent properties so

they are not disruptive.

Adjacent Sec. 23-65 1(b): Functionality

Structures adjacent to waterways or water bodies

must be maintained so they do not impair the

functionality of the water system.

Adjacent

Article 3: Sec.

25-9(c) 1(b): Functionality

Site plans can be modified to protect adjacent

properties.

Adjacent

Article 17: Sec.

25-133(b) 1(b): Functionality

Restrict use of land surrounding wetlands that

has characteristics, if developed upon, would

adversely affect the wetland area (ex. steep

slopes).

Adjacent

Article 18: Sec.

25-152(a) 1(b): Compatibility

Commercial and industrial areas must be

screened from residential areas if they are within

75 feet. This is to ensure compatibility between

differing uses in close proximity.

Adjacent

Article 18: Sec.

25-164(a) 1(b): Functionality

Land reclamation shall include grading that

doesn't adversely impact adjacent properties to

ensure continued function.

Adjacent

Article 18: Sec.

25-175(c) and

(f) 1(b): Compatibility

Equipment on the exterior of a building and

loading docks must be screened from view of

adjacent properties.

Adjacent

Article 18: Sec.

25-218 1(b): Functionality

Purpose of this section is to create gateway

districts that utilize the interstate system but do

not interfere with the functionality of

surrounding land uses.

Abut Sec. 21-29 1(b): Compatibility

Property abutting existing or proposed arterial

streets must conform with the comprehensive

plan, which aids in promoting compatibility.

Contiguous

Article 16: Sec.

25-114 1(b): Compatibility

One purpose of the Planned Unit Development is

to develop a large lot of harmonious uses,

implying that they are compatible with one

another.

Premise Sec. 22-1 1(b): Compatibility

Attempts to preserve trees on private property to

retain high compatibility between land uses.

Premise

Article 4: Sec.

25-19 1(b): Compatibility

Requires uniformity of structures in each district

so neighboring land uses will have high

compatibility.

H-8

Premise

Article 24: Sec.

25-256 1(b): Functionality

Restricts usage of outdoor furnaces so pollution

does not interfere with neighboring properties.

Surround Sec. 11-5(a) 1(b): Compatibility

"The use of an area for the establishment of a

manufactured home park shall be a

compatible use with the surrounding

community."

Surround Sec. 21-13(b) 1(b): Compatibility

Referring to lot splits for two-family dwelling

units: "Any other conditions shall be imposed

that the city deems necessary to assure

compatibility with surrounding structures or to

assure a reasonable division of property."

Surround

Article 3: 25-

15(f) 1(b): Functionality

Special use permits will not be granted for uses

that are hazardous, detrimental, or disturbing to

surrounding land uses.

Surround

Article 17: Sec.

25-134 1(b): Compatibility

A special use permit can be granted for a single

family dwelling unit within the Wetland

Preservation Area if it is harmonious with natural

features and functions and with surrounding land

uses.

Open Space Sec. 13-2 2(a): Preservation

Putting trash or yard waste in open spaces is

considered a misdemeanor, by preventing these

activities open space is being preserved.

Open Space Sec. 15-9

2: Maintain

2(a): Preservation

The appropriate and prohibited uses allowed on

open spaces are described in an effort to maintain

and preserve the open space in its natural state.

Open Space Sec. 21-10(b) 2: Establish

Land dedication in the form of open space can be

required in subdivision developments.

Open Space Sec. 21-29(f) 2: Maintain

In subdivisions, an approved landowner

association is responsible for maintaining the

common open space.

Open Space

Article 16: Sec.

25-116 2: Establish

On Planned Unit Developments, increased

density is allowed when more than the minimum

of open space is dedicated.

I-1

APPENDIX I: Hopkins Coding Results

Table I.1

Please see the spreadsheet located on the CD – Oakdale, Minnesota.

J-1

APPENDIX J: Maplewood Coding Results

Table J.1

Please see the spreadsheet located on the CD – Oakdale, Minnesota.

K-1

APPENDIX K: Woodbury Coding Results

Table K.1

Please see the spreadsheet located on the CD – Oakdale, Minnesota.

L-1

APPENDIX L: Soil Erosion Control Plan Ordinances

(a) Every applicant for a building permit, a subdivision approval, or a permit to allow land disturbing

activities must submit an erosion and sediment control plan to the city engineer. No building permit,

subdivision approval, or permit to allow land disturbing activities shall be issued until approval of the

erosion and sediment control plan.

(b) Criteria addressed. The erosion and sediment control plan shall address the following criteria:

(1) Stabilize all exposed soils and soil stockpiles.

(2) Establish permanent vegetation.

(3) Prevent sediment damage to adjacent properties and other designated areas.

(4) Schedule erosion and sediment control practices.

(5) Use temporary sedimentation basins.

(6) Engineer the construction of steep slopes.

(7) Control the stormwater leaving a site.

(8) Stabilize all waterways and outlets.

(9) Protect storm sewers from the entrance of sediment.

(10) When working in or crossing water bodies, take precautions to contain sediment.

(11) Restabilize utility construction areas as soon as possible.

(12) Protect paved roads from sediment and mud brought in from access routes.

(13) Dispose of temporary erosion and sediment control measures.

(14) Maintain all temporary and permanent erosion and sediment control practices.

(c) Contents of plan. The erosion and sediment control plan shall include the following:

(1) Project description: the nature and purpose of the land disturbing activity and the amount of

grading involved.

(2) Phasing of construction: the nature and purpose of the land disturbing activity and the amount

of grading, utilities, and building construction.

(3) Existing site conditions: existing topography, vegetation, and drainage.

(4) Adjacent areas, neighboring streams, lakes, residential areas, roads, etc., which might be

affected by the land disturbing activity.

(5) Soils: soil names, mapping units, erodibility.

(6) Critical erosion areas: areas on the site that have potential for serious erosion problems.

(7) Erosion and sediment control measures: methods to be used to control erosion and

sedimentation on the site, both during and after the construction process.

(8) Permanent stabilization: how the site will be stabilized after construction is completed,

including specifications.

(9) Stormwater management: how storm runoff will be managed, including methods to be used if

the development will result in increased peak rates of runoff.

(10) Maintenance: schedule of regular inspections and repair of erosion and sediment control

structures.

(11) Calculations: any that were made for the design of such items as sediment basins, diversions,

waterways, and other applicable practices.

(d) Variance. Where, in the judgment of a registered professional engineer experienced in the field of

erosion and sediment control, site conditions warrant or where the practices or practice standards, as

conditioned in the handbook, will be insufficient to control erosion and sedimentation for a land

disturbance activity, the city engineer may grant a variance from the use of the handbook on a case-by-case

basis. The content of a variance shall be specific and shall not affect other approved provisions of a plan.”

(Ordinance 18-144)

“Sec. 18-145. Review of Plan:

(a)Generally. The city appoints the city engineer to review the erosion and sediment control plan. The

Ramsey County Erosion and Sediment Control Handbook is the reference for erosion and sediment control

practice specifications in the city. The city engineer shall review the erosion and sediment control plan

within seven days of receiving the plan from the developer.

(b)Permit required. If the city determines that the erosion and sediment control plan meets the

requirements of this article, the city shall issue a permit, valid for a specified period of time, that authorizes

L-2

the land disturbance activity contingent on the implementation and completion of the erosion and sediment

control plan.

(c)Denial. If the city determines that the erosion and sediment control plan does not meet the requirements

of this article, the city shall not issue a permit for the land disturbance activity. The erosion and sediment

control plan must be resubmitted for approval before the land disturbance activity begins. All land use and

building permits must be suspended until the developer has an approved erosion and sediment control plan.

(d)Permit suspension. If the city determines that the approved plan is not being implemented according to

the schedule or the control measures are not being properly maintained, all land use and building permits

must be suspended until the developer has fully implemented and maintained the control measures

identified in the approved erosion and sediment control plan.” (Ordinance 18-145).

“Sec. 7-14. Erosion and sediment control

(a) Generally. All sites with land disturbing activities shall be prepared and maintained to control against

erosion as set forth in this chapter and the City of Woodbury Land Disturbance Plan and Implementation

Requirements.

(b) Erosion and sediment control. Temporary and permanent erosion and sediment control measures shall

be installed on all sites as necessary to prevent erosion and sedimentation from impacting any adjacent

property, rights-of-way, drainage system, lake, pond, wetland, watercourse, natural resource or other

protected area.

(c) Implementation of stormwater pollution prevention plan. All erosion and sediment control measures

will be operational prior to the start of any land disturbing activity as specified in the stormwater pollution

prevention plan, construction plans and specifications, the City of Woodbury Land Disturbance Plan and

Implementation Requirements, or as deemed necessary by the city based on actual site conditions.

(d) Inspection. Inspection of the stormwater pollution prevention plan measures will be carried out as

required by section 7-15 or as required by the city approved land disturbance permit conditions of approval

and the City of Woodbury Land Disturbance Plan and Implementation Requirements.

(e) Maintenance. All erosion and sediment control measures will be maintained throughout the duration of

the project. Deficiencies found through inspection of a site shall be repaired as necessary to bring the site

into conformance with this chapter, the plans and specifications, the City of Woodbury Land Disturbance

Plan and Implementation Requirements and as set forth in the land disturbance permit conditions of

approval.

At minimum, stormwater pollution prevention plan items shall be maintained as follows:

(1) If a perimeter erosion control device is found to have sediment accumulation in excess of one

third of the total device height, the sediment shall be removed within 24 hours of discovery.

(2) If an erosion control device is found to be nonfunctional, it shall be repaired or replaced within

24 hours of discovery.

(3) Temporary sediment basins shall be maintained when sediment reaches one half the outlet

height or one half the storage volume within 72 hours after discovery.

(4) Additional erosion and sediment control measures shall be installed as directed by the city as

found necessary to protect life and limb, the environment, properties or the stability of a property until final

stabilization, as defined in Section 7-3, has been achieved. (Ordinance 7-14)

M-1

APPENDIX M: Maplewood Renewable Energy Ordinances

Sec. 18-301. Scope.

This article applies to the regulations of on-site renewable energy systems within the City of Maplewood,

Ramsey County, Minnesota. The article focuses on wind turbines, solar systems, and geothermal ground-

source heat pumps which are located on the site for which the generation of energy will be used, with

excess energy distributed into the electrical grid.

Sec. 18-302. Purpose and intent

It is the goal of the city to provide a sustainable quality of life for the city's residents, making careful and

effective use of available natural resources to maintain and enhance this quality of life. Cities are enabled to

regulate land use under Minn. Stats. §§ 394 and 462 for the purpose of "promoting the health, safety,

morals, and general welfare of the community."

As part of this regulatory power, Maplewood believes it is in the public interest to encourage renewable

energy systems that have a positive impact in energy conservation, with limited adverse impact on the

community. While Maplewood strongly encourages increased energy conservation and improved energy

efficiency, the city also finds that increased use of appropriate renewable energy systems will be an

important part of improving urban sustainability.

The renewable energy regulations are intended to supplement existing zoning ordinances and land use

practices, and ensure these systems are appropriately designed, sited and installed. These regulations are in

place to balance the need to improve energy sustainability through increased use of renewable energy

systems with concerns for preservation of public health, welfare, and safety, as well as environmental

quality, visual and aesthetic values, and existing neighborhood social and ecological stability. With these

regulations, Maplewood is concerned that renewable energy systems, particularly wind energy systems, be

designed to minimize the negative impacts on bird and bat species which are vulnerable to mortality from

these energy gathering machines.

Sec. 18-321. Wind energy sources and systems.

(a)Definitions, wind energy sources and systems. The following words, terms and phrases, when used in

this division, shall have the meaning provided herein, except where the context clearly indicates otherwise:

Feeder line means any power line that carries electrical power from one or more wind turbines or

individual transformers associated with an individual wind turbine to the point of interconnection with the

electric power grid. In the case of interconnection with the high-voltage transmission systems, the point of

interconnection shall be the substation serving the WECS.

Ground-mounted WECS means freestanding WECS mounted to the ground with footings or other apparatus.

Large WECS means a WECS of equal to or greater than 100kW in total nameplate generating capacity. The

energy must be used on site with excess energy distributed into the electrical grid. Large WECS are limited

to 125 feet in height.

Property line means the boundary line of the area over which the entity applying for WECS permit has

legal control for the purposes of installation of a WECS. This control may be attained through fee title

ownership, easement, or other appropriate contractual relationship between the project developer and land

owner.

M-2

Roof-mounted WECS means a WECS utilizing a turbine mounted to the roof of a structure.

Significant tree means any tree defined as a significant tree in the city's tree preservation ordinance.

Small WECS means a WECS of less than 100kW in total nameplate generating capacity. The energy must

be used on site with excess energy distributed into the electrical grid. Small WECS are limited to 60 feet in

height.

Tower means vertical structures that support the electrical generator, rotor, and blades, or the

meteorological equipment.

Tower height means the total height of the WECS, including tower, rotor, and blade to its highest point of

travel.

Turbine cut-in speed means the lowest wind speed at which turbines generate power to the utility system.

Wind energy means kinetic energy present in wind motion that can be converted into electrical energy.

WECS means a wind energy conversion system which is an electrical generating facility comprised of one

or more wind turbines and accessory facilities, including, but not limited to, power lines, transformers,

substations and metrological towers that operate by converting the kinetic energy of wind into electrical

energy. The energy must be used on site with excess energy distributed into the electrical grid.

Wind energy system means an electrical generating facility that consists of a wind turbine associated

controls and may include a tower.

Wind turbine means a wind turbine is any piece of electrical generating equipment that converts the kinetic

energy of blowing wind into electrical energy through the use of airfoils or similar devices to capture the

wind.

Sec. 18-322. WECS districts.

(a)Large WECS districts.

(1)Ground- and roof-mounted large WECS shall be allowed with approval of a conditional use permit as

outlined in subsection (d) (conditional use permit procedure) in the following zoning districts and land use

designations:

a.In all properties located in commercial zoning districts (heavy manufacturing, light manufacturing,

business commercial, business commercial modified, limited business commercial, commercial office,

neighborhood commercial, shopping center).

b.In all properties located in multiple dwelling residential zoning districts (multiple dwelling residential and

multiple dwelling residential townhouse) for purposes of shared WECS energy production among the

residential dwelling units.

c.In all properties approved as a planned unit development for purposes of shared WECS energy production

among the businesses/organizations, residential dwelling units, or adjoining

businesses/organizations/residential dwelling units.

d.In all properties guided as government or institutional in the city's land use designations of the

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comprehensive plan.

(2)Ground- and roof-mounted large WECS shall be prohibited in all properties guided as park or open

space in the city's land use designations of the comprehensive plan.

(b)Small WECS districts.

(1)Roof-mounted small WECS shall be deemed permissible in all zoning districts.

(2)Ground-mounted small WECS shall be deemed an accessory structure, permissible in the following

zoning districts and land use designations:

a.In all properties located in commercial zoning districts (heavy manufacturing, light manufacturing,

business commercial, business commercial modified, limited business commercial, commercial office,

neighborhood commercial, shopping center).

b.In all properties located in multiple dwelling residential zoning districts (multiple dwelling residential and

multiple dwelling residential townhouse) for purposes of shared WECS energy production among the

residential dwelling units.

c.In all properties approved as a planned unit development for purposes of shared WECS energy production

among the businesses/organizations, residential dwelling units, or adjoining

businesses/organizations/residential dwelling units.

d.In all properties guided as government or institutional in the city's land use designations of the

comprehensive plan.

e.In all properties guided as park in the city's land use designations of the comprehensive plan.

(3)Ground-mounted small WECS shall be deemed an accessory structure, permissible in double or single

dwelling residential zoning districts if the following neighborhood consent requirements are met:

Written consent of 100 percent of the owners or occupants of privately- or publicly-owned real estate that

are located adjacent (i.e., sharing property lines) on the outer boundaries of the premises for which the

permit is being requested, or in the alternative, proof that the applicant's property lines are 150 feet or more

from any house.

Where an adjacent property consists of a multiple dwelling or multi-tenant property, the applicant need

obtain only the written consent of the owner or manager, or other person in charge of the building. Such

written consent shall be required on the initial application and as often thereafter as the officer deems

necessary.

Sec. 18-323. Placement and design.

(a)Ground-mounted WECS.

(1)Height.

a.Large WECS shall have a total height, including tower and blade to its highest point of travel, of no more

than 125 feet.

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b.Small WECS shall have a total height, including tower and blade to its highest point of travel, of no more

than 60 feet.

(2)Placement.

a.Large WECS shall be located as follows:

1.Shall not be located between a principal structure and a public street, unless the city determines that such

a location would lessen the visibility of the large WECS or would lessen the negative impacts of such a

WECS on nearby properties.

2.Have a minimum setback distance from the base of the monopole of one times the height from any

property line, electric substation, transmission line, or other WECS. In addition, the setback distance must

be increased by 25 feet from any property that is zoned or planned for residential.

3.Have a minimum setback distance from the base of the monopole of one and one-half times the height

from any public right-of-way, occupied structure, or public use area.

4.Have a minimum setback distance from the base of the monopole of 600 feet from any property guided as

park or open space in the city's land use designations of the comprehensive plan.

5.Have a minimum setback distance from the base of the monopole of one-fourth mile or 1,320 feet from

any bluff.

b.Small WECS shall be located:

1.Shall not be located between a principal structure and a public street, unless the city determines that such

a location would lessen the visibility of the small WECS or would lessen the negative impacts of such a

WECS on nearby properties.

2.Have a minimum setback distance from the base of the monopole of one times the height from any

property line, public right-of-way, electric substation, transmission line, or other WECS.

(3)Number.

a.Large WECS. One large WECS shall be allowed on a single lot of one to five acre(s). All other larger

parcels will be limited to one large WECS per five acres of land area.

b.Small WECS. One small WECS shall be allowed on a single lot up to one acre in size. All other larger

parcels will be allowed one small WECS per five acres of land area.

(4)Design.

a.Tower configuration. All ground mounted WECS shall:

1.Be installed with a tubular, monopole-type tower.

2.Have no guyed wires attached to the tower or other components.

3.Have no ladder, step bolts, rungs, or other features used for tower access to extend within eight feet of the

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ground. Lattice-style towers shall have a protective barrier to prevent unauthorized access to the lower

eight feet of the tower.

b.Signs. A WECS operator is required to provide a single posting, not to exceed four square feet, at the base

of a WECS prohibiting trespassing, warning of high voltage, and providing the emergency contact

information for the operator.

(b)Roof-mounted WECS.

(1)Height.

a.Large roof-mounted WECS:

1.Total height of not more than 25 feet, measured from the top of the roof to the blade tip at its highest

point of travel.

b.Small roof-mounted WECS:

1.Total height of not more than 25 feet, measured from the top of the roof to the blade tip at its highest

point of travel.

2.Residential installation. In addition to the 25-foot height restriction for the small roof-mounted WECS,

the height of the WECS and the structure on which it is attached must not exceed the maximum height

allowed in the residential zoning district for which it is installed.

(2)Placement. Roof-mounted WECS must be erected above the roof of a building or structure. The mounts

associated with the WECS may extend onto the side of the building or structure.

(3)Number.

a.Large roof-mounted WECS. The maximum number of large roof-mounted WECS shall be approved

through the conditional use permit process.

b.Small roof-mounted WECS. No more than three roof-mounted small WECS shall be installed on any

rooftop.

Sec. 18-324. Conditional use permit procedure.

Procedures for granting conditional use permits from this division are as follows:

(1)The city council may approve conditional use permit requirements in this division.

(2)Before the city council acts on a conditional use permit, the environmental and natural resources

commission and the planning commission will make a recommendation to the city council.

(3)In reviewing the conditional use permit the environmental and natural resources commission, planning

commission, and city council will follow the requirements for conditional use permit approvals as outlined

in article V (conditional use permits).

Sec. 18-235. General standards.

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(a)The following provisions will apply to all WECS erected under the provisions of this division:

(1)Noise: Have a maximum noise production rating of 55 dB 50 dBA and shall conform to this standard

under normal operating conditions as measured at any property line.

(2)Over-speed controls: Shall be equipped with manual and automatic over-speed controls to limit the

blade rotation within design specifications.

(3)Lighting: Have no installed or accessory lighting, unless required by federal or state regulations.

(4)Intent to install: Prior to the installation or erection of a WECS, the operator must provide evidence

showing their regular electrical service provider has been informed of the customer's intent to install an

interconnected, customer-owned generator. Off-grid systems shall be exempt from this requirement.

(5)Signs: The placement of all other signs, postings, or advertisements shall be prohibited on the units. This

restriction shall not apply to manufacturer identification, unit model numbers, and similar production labels.

(6)Commercial installations: All WECS shall be limited to the purpose of on-site energy production, except

that any additional energy produced above the total on-site demand may be sold to the operator's regular

electrical service provider in accordance with any agreement provided by the same or applicable legislation.

(7)Feeder lines: Any lines accompanying a WECS, other than those contained within the WECS's tower or

those attached to on-site structures by leads, shall be buried within the interior of the subject parcel, unless

there are existing lines in the area which the lines accompanying a WECS can be attached.

(8)Clearance: Rotor blades or airfoils must maintain at least 20 feet of clearance between their lowest point

and the ground.

(9)Blade design: The blade design and materials must be engineered to insure safe operation in an urban

area.

(10)Energy storage: Batteries or other energy storage devices shall be designed consistent with the

Minnesota Electric Code and Minnesota Fire Code.

(b)In addition to the provisions outlined in subsection 18-321(e)(1) above, the following provisions will

apply to large WECS erected under the provisions of this division:

(1)Color. Turbine paint color and high levels of ultraviolet and infrared components of paint could have an

impact on the attraction of insect species to the structure, which may attract birds and bats and cause bird

and bat mortality. As such, turbine paint color may be approved as part of the conditional use permit

process and must be shown to reduce the negative impacts to birds and bats and be a non-obtrusive color so

not to cause negative visual impacts to surrounding properties.

(2)Warnings. A sign or signs shall be posted on the tower, transformer and substation warning of high

voltage. Signs with emergency contact information shall also be posted on the turbine or at another suitable

point.

(3)Environmental standards. The applicant shall provide the following information in the conditional use

permit application. The information will be evaluated in meeting the criteria of a conditional use permit for

purposes of minimizing impacts on the environment:

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a.Natural heritage review by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

b.Lands guided as park or open space in the city's land use designation of the comprehensive plan that are

located within one mile of the project.

c.Conservation easements and other officially protected natural areas within a quarter mile of the project.

d.Shoreland, Mississippi critical area, greenways, wetland buffers, wildlife corridors and habitat complexes.

e.All significant trees impacted by the project.

f.A plan for turbine cut-in speed strategies where feasible in order to reduce bird and bat deaths. Studies

have shown that bird and bat fatalities would be significantly reduced by changing turbine cut-in speed and

reducing operational hours during low wind periods, evening hours (one-half hour before sunset to one-half

hour after sunrise only in spring, summer, and early fall), and migration times in spring and fall.

(c)In addition to the provisions outlined in subsection 18-321(e)(1) above, the following provisions will

apply to small WECS erected under the provisions of this division:

(1)Color. Turbine paint color must be a nonobtrusive color so not to cause negative visual impacts to

surrounding properties.

Sec. 18-326. Abandonment.

A WECS that is allowed to remain in a nonfunctional or inoperative state for a period of 12 consecutive

months, and which is not brought in operation within the time specified by the city after notification to the

owner or operator of the WECS, shall be presumed abandoned and may be declared a public nuisance

subject to removal at the expense of the operator.

Sec. 18-351. Solar energy sources and systems.

(a)Definitions, solar energy sources and systems. The following words, terms and phrases, when used in

this section, shall have the meaning provided herein, except where the context clearly indicates otherwise:

Building-integrated solar system means an active solar system that is an integral part of a principal or

accessory building, rather than a separate mechanical device, replacing or substituting for an architectural

or structural component of the building. Building-integrated systems include, but are not limited to,

photovoltaic or hot water solar systems that are contained within roofing materials, windows, skylights, and

awnings.

Ground-mounted panels means freestanding solar panels mounted to the ground by use of stabilizers or

similar apparatus.

Photovoltaic system means an active solar energy system that converts solar energy directly into electricity.

Roof- or building-mounted SES means solar energy system (panels) that are mounted to the roof or building

using brackets, stands or other apparatus.

Roof pitch means the final exterior slope of a building roof calculated by the rise over the run, typically, but

not exclusively, expressed in twelfths such as 3/12, 9/12, 12/12.

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Solar access means a view of the sun, from any point on the collector surface that is not obscured by any

vegetation, building, or object located on parcels of land other than the parcel upon which the solar

collector is located, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. standard time on any day of the year.

Solar collector means a device, structure or a part of a device or structure for which the primary purpose is

to transform solar radiant energy into thermal, mechanical, chemical, or electrical energy.

Solar energy means radiant energy received from the sun that can be collected in the form of heat or light

by a solar collector.

Solar energy system (SES) means an active solar energy system that collects or stores solar energy and

transforms solar energy into another form of energy or transfers heat from a collector to another medium

using mechanical, electrical, or chemical means.

Solar hot water system means a system that includes a solar collector and a heat exchanger that heats or

preheats water for building heating systems or other hot water needs, including residential domestic hot

water and hot water for commercial processes.

Sec. 18-352. Districts.

Solar energy systems (SES) shall be allowed as an accessory use in all zoning districts.

Sec. 18-353. Placement and design.

(a)Height.

(1)Roof or building mounted SES shall not exceed the maximum allowed height in any zoning district. For

purposes for height measurement, solar systems other than building-integrated solar systems shall be

considered to be mechanical devices and are restricted consistent with other building-mounted mechanical

devices.

(2)Ground-mounted SES shall not exceed the height of an allowed accessory structure within the zoning

district when oriented at maximum tilt.

(b)Placement.

(1)Ground-mounted SES must meet the accessory structure setback for the zoning district in which it is

installed.

(2)Roof or building-mounted SES. The collector surface and mounting devices for roof or building

mounted SES shall not extend beyond the required setbacks of the building on which the system is mounted.

(c)Coverage. Ground-mounted SES may not exceed the area restrictions placed on accessory structures

within the subject zoning district.

(d)Visibility.

(1)SES shall be designed to blend into the architecture of the building or be screened from routine view

from public rights-of-way other than alleys. The color of the solar collector is not required to be consistent

with other roofing materials.

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(2)Building-integrated solar systems shall be allowed regardless of visibility, provided the building

component in which the system is integrated meets all required setback, land use or performance standards

for the zoning district in which the building is located.

(3)Ground-mounted SES shall be screened from view to the extent possible without reducing their

efficiency. Screening may include walls, fences, or landscaping.

Sec. 18-354. General standards.

(a)Notification. Prior to the installation or erection of a SES, the operator must provide evidence showing

their regular electrical service provider has been informed of the customer's intent to install an

interconnected, customer-owned SES. Off-grid systems shall be exempt from this requirement.

(b)Feeder lines. Any lines accompanying a SES, other than those attached to on-site structures by leads,

shall be buried within the interior of the subject parcel, unless there are existing lines in the area which the

lines accompanying an SES can be attached.

(c)Commercial. All SES shall be limited to the purpose of on-site energy production, except that any

additional energy produced above the total onsite demand may be sold to the operator's regular electrical

service provider in accordance with any agreement provided by the same or applicable legislation.

(d)Restrictions on SES limited. No homeowners' agreement, covenant, common interest community, or

other contract between multiple property owners within a subdivision of Maplewood shall restrict or limit

solar systems to a greater extent than Maplewood's renewable energy ordinance.

(e)Maplewood encourages solar access to be protected in all new subdivisions and allows for existing solar

to be protected consistent with Minnesota Statutes. Any solar easements filed must be consistent with Minn.

Stats. ch. 500, § 30

Sec. 18-355. Abandonment.

An SES that is allowed to remain in a nonfunctional or inoperative state for a period of 12 consecutive

months, and which is not brought in operation within the time specified by the city, shall be presumed

abandoned and may be declared a public nuisance subject to removal at the expense of the operator.

Sec. 18-401. Geothermal energy sources and systems.

(a)Definitions, geothermal energy sources and systems. The following words, terms and phrases, when used

in this section, shall have the meaning provided herein, except where the context clearly indicates otherwise:

Closed loop ground source heat pump system means a system that circulates a heat transfer fluid, typically

food-grade antifreeze, through pipes or coils buried beneath the land surface or anchored to the bottom in a

body of water.

Geothermal energy means renewable energy generated from the interior of the earth and used to produce

energy for heating buildings or serving building commercial or industrial processes.

Ground source heat pump system (GSHPS) means a system that uses the relatively constant temperature of

the earth or a body of water to provide heating in the winter and cooling in the summer. System

components include closed loops of pipe, coils or plates; a fluid that absorbs and transfers heat; and a heat

pump unit that processes heat for use or disperses heat for cooling; and an air distribution system. The

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energy must be used on site.

Heat transfer fluid means a non-toxic and food-grade fluid such as potable water, aqueous solutions of

propylene glycol not to exceed 20 percent by weight or aqueous solutions of potassium acetate not to

exceed two percent by weight.

Stormwater pond means ponds created for stormwater treatment. A stormwater pond shall not include

wetlands created to mitigate the loss of other wetlands.

Sec. 18-402. Districts.

Ground source heat pump systems (GSHPS) shall be deemed an accessory structure, permissible in all

zoning districts.

Sec. 18-403. Placement and design.

(a)Placement.

(1)All components of GSHPS including pumps, borings and loops shall be set back at least five feet from

interior and rear lot lines.

(2)Easements. All components of GSHPS shall not encroach on easements.

(3)GSHPS are prohibited in surface waters, except for stormwater ponds where they are permitted.

(b)Design.

(1)Only closed-loop GSHPS utilizing Minnesota Department of Health approved heat transfer fluids are

permitted.

(2)Screening. Ground source heat pumps are considered mechanical equipment and subject to the

requirements of the city's zoning ordinance.

Sec. 18-404. General standards.

Noise. GSHPS shall comply with Minnesota Pollution Control Agency standards outlined in Minnesota

Rules Chapter 7030.

Sec. 18-405. Abandonment.

A GSHPS that is allowed to remain in a nonfunctional or inoperative state for a period of 12 consecutive

months, and which is not brought in operation within the time specified by the city after notification to the

owner or operator of the GSHPS, shall be presumed abandoned and may be declared a public nuisance

subject to removal at the expense of the operator.

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APPENDIX N: Woodbury Renewable Energy Ordinances

Sec. 24-401. Scope.

This division applies to alternative energy systems in all zoning districts.

Sec. 24-402. Purpose and intent.

It is the goal of the city council, as expressed in the comprehensive plan, to provide a sustainable quality of

life for the city's residents, making careful and effective use of available natural, human and economic

resources and ensuring that resources exist to maintain and enhance the quality of life for future residents.

In accordance with that goal, the city finds that it is in the public interest to encourage alternative energy

systems that have a positive impact on energy production and conservation while not having an adverse

impact on the community. Therefore, the purposes of this division include:

(a)To promote rather than restrict development of alternative energy sources by removing regulatory

barriers and creating a clear regulatory path for approving alternative energy systems.

(b)To create a livable community where development incorporates sustainable design elements such as

resource and energy conservation and use of renewable energy.

(c)To protect and enhance air quality, limit the effects of climate change and decrease use of fossil fuels.

(d)To encourage alternative energy development in locations where the technology is viable and

environmental, economic and social impacts can be mitigated.

Sec. 24-403. Definitions.

The words, terms and phrases, when used in this division, shall have the meanings ascribed to them

in section 24-4.

Sec. 24-404. Ground source heat pump systems.

(a)Zoning districts. Ground source heat pump systems in accordance with the standards in this section are

allowed as a permitted accessory use in all zoning districts.

(b)Standards.

(1)System requirements.

a.Only closed loop ground source heat pump systems utilizing heat transfer fluids as defined in section 24-

403 are permitted. Open loop ground source heat pump systems are not permitted.

b.Ground source heat pump systems in public waters may be permitted as an interim conditional use in

accordance withsection 24-407 subject to approval from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

and subject to written consent of all property owners and/or approval by an association in accordance with

its adopted bylaws.

c.Ground source heat pump systems in water bodies owned or managed by the City of Woodbury are not

permitted.

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(2)Setbacks.

a.All components of ground source heat pump systems including pumps, borings and loops shall be set

back at least five feet from interior side lot lines and at least ten feet from rear lot lines.

b.Above-ground equipment associated with ground source heat pumps shall not be installed in the front

yard of any lot or the side yard of a corner lot adjacent to a public right-of-way and shall meet all required

setbacks for the applicable zoning district.

(3)Easements. Ground source heat pump systems shall not encroach on public drainage, utility roadway or

trail easements.

(4)Noise. Ground source heat pump systems shall comply with Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

standards outlined in Minnesota Rules Chapter 7030.

(5)Screening. Ground source heat pumps are considered mechanical equipment and subject to the

requirements of section 24-235(d)(9).

(6)Deviations. Any deviation from the required standards of this division may be permitted through an

interim conditional use permit in accordance with section 24-407

(d)Safety. Ground source heat pumps shall be certified by Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. and meet the

requirements of the State Building Code.

(e)Abandonment. If the ground source heat pump system remains nonfunctional or inoperative for a

continuous period of one year, the system shall be deemed to be abandoned and shall constitute a public

nuisance. The owner shall remove the abandoned system at their expense after a demolition permit has

been obtained in accordance with the following:

(1)The heat pump and any external mechanical equipment shall be removed.

(2)Pipes or coils below the land surface shall be filled with grout to displace the heat transfer fluid. The

heat transfer fluid shall be captured and disposed of in accordance with applicable regulations. The top of

the pipe, coil or boring shall be uncovered and grouted.

(3)Lake ground source heat pump systems shall be completely removed from the bottom of the body of

water.

(f)Permits. A building permit and interim conditional use permit, if required, shall be obtained for any

ground source heat pump system prior to installation. Borings for vertical systems are subject to approval

from the Minnesota Department of Public Health.

Sec. 24-405. Wind energy systems.

(a)Zoning districts. Residential wind turbines in accordance with the standards in this section are permitted

accessory uses on lots at least three acres in size in the R-1, urban reserve, and the R-2, rural estate; on lots

at least 20 acres in size in the R-4, urban residential zoning districts; and on lots at least one and one-half

acres in size in the B-2, general business, and the I-1, light industrial provided the lot does not abut a

residential zoning district. Wind energy systems are not permitted in any other zoning districts.

(b)Standards.

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(1)Number. No more than one wind energy system is permitted per parcel.

(2)Height. In the R-1, urban reserve, zoning district, a maximum hub height of 60 feet is allowed as a

permitted accessory use; additional height, up to 120 feet in total height, may be permitted as an interim

conditional use in accordance with section 24-407. In the R-2, rural estate, R-4, urban residential, B-2,

general business, and I-1, light industrial zoning districts, a maximum hub height of 45 feet is allowed as a

permitted accessory use. Additional height, up to 75 feet in total height, may be permitted as an interim

conditional use in accordance with section 24-407

(3)Blade length. A maximum blade length of 15 feet is permitted.

(4)Roof mounting. Roof mounted wind turbines are not permitted.

(5)Setbacks. The base of the wind turbine tower shall be set back from all property lines a distance equal to

the hub height. Wind energy systems shall not be installed in the front yard of any lot or in the side yard of

a corner lot adjacent to a public right-of-way.

(6)Easements. Wind energy systems shall not encroach on public drainage, utility roadway or trail

easements.

(7)Noise. Wind energy systems shall comply with Minnesota Pollution Control Agency standards outlined

in Minnesota Rules Chapter 7030 at all property lines.

(8)Screening. Wind energy systems are exempt from the requirements of section 24-235(d)(9).

(9)Aesthetics. All portions of the wind energy system shall be a nonreflective, non-obtrusive color, subject

to the approval of the community development director. Only monopole towers are permitted. The

appearance of the turbine, tower and any other related components shall be maintained throughout the life

of the wind energy system pursuant to industry standards. Systems shall not be used for displaying any

advertising. Systems shall not be illuminated.

(10)Feeder lines. The electrical collection system shall be placed underground within the interior of each

parcel. The collection system may be placed overhead near substations or points of interconnection to the

electric grid.

(11)Deviations. Any deviation from the required standards of this division may be permitted through an

interim conditional use permit in accordance with section 24-407

(d)Safety.

(1)Standards and certification.

a.Standards. Wind energy systems shall meet minimum standards such as International Electrotechnical

Commission (IEC) 61400-2 or the American Wind Energy Association's (AWEA) Small Wind Turbine

Performance and Safety Standard or other standards as determined by the community development director.

b.Certification. Wind energy systems shall be certified by Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. and the National

Renewable Energy Laboratory, the Small Wind Certification Council or other body as determined by the

community development director. The city reserves the right to deny a building permit for proposed wind

energy systems deemed to have inadequate certification or testing for operation in a severe winter climate.

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c.Maintenance. Wind energy systems shall be maintained under an agreement or contract by the

manufacturer or other qualified entity.

(2)Utility connection. All grid connected systems shall have an agreement with the local utility prior to the

issuance of a building permit. A visible external disconnect must be provided if required by the utility.

(e)Abandonment. If the wind energy system remains nonfunctional or inoperative for a continuous period

of one year, the system shall be deemed to be abandoned and shall constitute a public nuisance. The owner

shall remove the abandoned system at their expense after a demolition permit has been obtained. Removal

includes the entire structure including foundations to below natural grade and transmission equipment.

(f)Permits. A building permit and interim conditional use permit, if required, shall be obtained for any wind

energy system prior to installation.

Sec. 24-406. Solar energy systems.

(a)Zoning districts. Solar energy systems in accordance with the standards in this section are allowed as a

permitted accessory use in all zoning districts.

(b)Standards.

(1)Exemption. Passive or building-integrated solar energy systems are exempt from the requirements of this

section and shall be regulated as any other building element.

(2)Minimum lot size. In the R-4, urban residential zoning district, a minimum lot size of 8,000 square feet is

required for ground-mounted solar energy systems.

(3)Height. Roof-mounted solar energy systems shall comply with the maximum height requirements in the

applicable zoning district. Ground-mounted solar energy systems shall not exceed 15 feet in height.

(4)Location. In residential zoning districts, ground-mounted solar energy systems are limited to the rear

yard. In nonresidential zoning districts, ground-mounted solar energy systems may be permitted in the front

yard of any lot or the side yards on corner lots but shall not encroach in the minimum 20-foot landscaped

area adjacent to public rights-of-way.

(5)Setbacks. Ground-mounted solar energy systems including any appurtenant equipment shall be set back

a minimum of 15 feet from all property lines and a minimum of 30 feet from all dwellings located on

adjacent lots. Roof-mounted systems shall comply with all building setbacks in the applicable zoning

district and shall not extend beyond the exterior perimeter of the building on which the system is mounted.

(6)Roof mounting. Roof-mounted solar collectors shall be flush mounted on pitched roofs. Solar collectors

may be bracket mounted on flat roofs.

(7)Easements. Solar energy systems shall not encroach on public drainage, utility roadway or trail

easements.

(8)Screening. Solar energy systems shall be screened from view to the extent possible without reducing

their efficiency, but are exempt from the strict requirements of section 24-235(d)(9). Screening may include

walls, fences or landscaping.

(9)Maximum area. In the R-4, urban residential, zoning district, ground-mounted solar energy systems shall

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be limited to a maximum area of 200 square feet. In other residential zoning districts, ground-mounted

solar energy systems shall be limited to a maximum area consistent with the accessory structure limitations

in section 24-281(b) or no more than 25 percent of the rear yard, whichever is less.

(10)Aesthetics. All solar energy systems shall use colors that blend with the color of the roof or other

structure. Reflection angles from collector surfaces shall be oriented away from neighboring windows.

Where necessary, screening may be required to address glare.

(11)Feeder lines. The electrical collection system shall be placed underground within the interior of each

parcel. The collection system may be placed overhead near substations or points of interconnection to the

electric grid.

(12)Deviations. Any deviation from the required standards of this division may be permitted through an

interim conditional use permit in accordance with section 24-407

(d)Safety.

(1)Standards and certification.

a.Standards. Solar energy systems shall meet the minimum standards outlined by the International

Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-conditioning

Engineers (ASHRAE), ASTM International, British Standards Institution (BSI), International

Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), International Organization for Standardization (ISO), Underwriter's

Laboratory (UL), the Solar Rating and Certification Corporation (SRCC) or other standards as determined

by the community development director.

b.Certification. Solar energy systems shall be certified by Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. and the National

Renewable Energy Laboratory, the Solar Rating and Certification Corporation or other body as determined

by the community development director. The city reserves the right to deny a building permit for proposed

solar energy systems deemed to have inadequate certification.

(2)Utility connection. All grid connected systems shall have an agreement with the local utility prior to the

issuance of a building permit. A visible external disconnect must be provided if required by the utility.

(e)Abandonment. If the solar energy system remains nonfunctional or inoperative for a continuous period of

one year, the system shall be deemed to be abandoned and shall constitute a public nuisance. The owner

shall remove the abandoned system at their expense after a demolition permit has been obtained. Removal

includes the entire structure including transmission equipment.

(f)Permits. A building permit and interim conditional use permit, if required, shall be obtained for any solar

energy system prior to installation.

Sec. 24-407. Interim conditional use permit.

Deviations to the standards in this division may be permitted as an interim conditional use in accordance

with section 24-45. In granting an interim conditional use permit, the city council shall consider the criteria

in sections 24-43 and 24-45 and the following additional criteria unique to alternative energy systems:

(a)That the deviation is required to allow for the improved operation of the alternative energy system;

(b)That the alternative energy system has a net energy gain;

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(c)That the alternative energy system does not adversely affect solar access to adjacent properties;

(d)That the alternative energy system complies with all other engineering, building, safety and fire

regulations; and

(e)That the alternative energy system is found to not have any adverse impacts on the area, including the

health, safety and general welfare of occupants of neighboring properties and users of public rights-of-way.

Sec. 24-408. Interpretation.

In interpreting this division and its application, the provisions of these regulations shall be held to be the

minimum requirements for the protection of public health, safety and general welfare. This division shall be

construed broadly to promote the purposes for which it was adopted.

Sec. 24-409. Conflict.

This division is not intended to interfere with, abrogate or annul any other ordinance, rule or regulation,

statute or other provision of law except as provided herein. If any provision of this division imposes

restrictions different from any other ordinance, rule or regulation, statute or provision of law, the provision

that is more restrictive or imposes high standards shall control.

Sec. 24-410. Separability

If any part or provision of this division or its application to any developer or circumstance is judged invalid

by any competent jurisdiction, the judgment shall be confined in its operation to the part, provision or

application directly involved in the controversy in which the judgment shall be rendered and shall not affect

or impair the validity of the remainder of these regulations or the application of them to other developers or

circumstances.

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Appendix O: GreenSteps Practice Criteria Rating

Table O.1

Please see the spreadsheet located on the CD – Oakdale, Minnesota.

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Appendix P: Environmental Purchasing Policy in Maplewood

ENVIRONMENTAL PURCHASING POLICY

CITY OF MAPLEWOOD

April 20, 2011

1.0 STATEMENT OF POLICY It is the policy of the City of Maplewood to: Support the Precautionary Principle of Environmental

Protection which states if an action or policy has a suspected risk of causing harm to the public or to the

environment, in the absence of scientific consensus that the action or policy is harmful, the burden of proof

that it is not harmful falls on those taking the action. Require the purchase of products and services that

minimize environmental and health impacts, toxics, pollution, and hazards to worker and community safety

and to protect the larger global community to the greatest extent practical. It is not the intent of this policy

to require any department, buyer or contractor to take any action that will conflict with local, state or

federal requirements or to procure

products that do not perform adequately for their intended use, exclude adequate competition, or are not

available at a reasonable price in a reasonable period of time.

2.0 PURPOSE AND SCOPE This policy is adopted to meet the goals of a Precautionary Principle Program of Environmental Protection

that include, but is not limited to: minimizing health risks to city staff and residents, minimizing the city’s

contribution to global climate change, improving air quality, protecting the quality of ground and surface

waters, and minimizing the city’s consumption of resources and energy.

This policy is further adopted to encourage purchasing that reflects the city’s commitment to sustainability

in order to: ensure that purchases include a consideration of their life-cycle cost and the ultimate disposal

cost of the product as a factor in making the final selection of the specific goods and services procured for

use by city departments, purchase products that include recycled content in order to support strong

recycling markets, institute practices that reduce waste by increasing product efficiency and effectiveness,

use products that are durable and long-lasting, and reduce materials that are land-filled, purchase products

and institute practices that conserve energy and water, use agricultural fibers and residues, reduce

greenhouse gas emissions, use unbleached or chlorine free manufacturing processes, and use recycled wood

and wood from sustainably harvested forests, purchase energy from renewable or green sources in

preference to fossil fuels, purchase products that are free of mercury, cadmium and lead and eliminate the

use of other persistent bioaccumulative toxic chemicals where possible, increase the use and availability of

environmentally preferable products, services and distribution systems that protect human health and the

environment, support emerging and established manufacturers and contractors that reduce environmental

and human health impacts in their services, production, and distribution systems, and create a model for

successfully purchasing environmentally preferable products and services that encourages other buyers and

consumers in our community to adopt similar goals.

3.0 DEFINITIONS 3.1 “Agricultural Bio-Based Products” means commercial or industrial products (other than food or feed)

that utilize agricultural crops or residues but does not include products made from forestry materials.

3.2 “Buyer” means personnel authorized to purchase or contract for purchases on behalf of the City of

Maplewood or its subdivisions.

3.3 “Chlorine free” means products manufactured or processed without chlorine or chlorine derivatives.

3.4 “Contractor” means any person, group of persons, business, consultant, designing architect, association,

partnership, corporation, supplier, contractors or other entity that has a contract with the City of

Maplewood or serves in a subcontracting capacity with an entity having a contract with the City of

Maplewood for the provision of goods or services.

3.5 “Dioxins and furans” are a group of chemical compounds that are classified as persistent,

bioaccumulative, and toxic (PBT) by the Environmental Protection Agency.

3.6 “Energy Star” means the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) energy efficiency product

labeling program.

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3.7 “Energy-Efficient Product” means a product that is in the upper 25% of energy efficiency for all similar

products, or that is at least 10% more efficient than the minimum level that meets federal standards.

3.8 “Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP)” is a program of the Department of Energy that issues

a series of product energy efficiency recommendations that identify recommended efficiency levels for

energy-using products.

3.9 The “Forest Stewardship Council” is a global organization that certifies responsible, on-the-ground

forest management according to rigorous standards for sustainably harvested forests developed by a broad

variety of stakeholder groups.

3.10 “Green Seal” is an independent, non-profit environmental labeling organization. Green Seal standards

for products and services meet the U.S. EPA’s criteria for third-party certifiers. The Green Seal is a

registered certification mark that may appear only on certified products.

3.11 “Integrated Pest Management (IPM)” is an ecosystem-based strategy that focuses on long-term

prevention of pests or their damage through a combination of techniques such as biological control, habitat

manipulation, modification of cultural practices, and use of resistant varieties. Pesticides are used only after

monitoring indicates they are needed according to established guidelines, and treatments are made with the

goal of removing only the target organism. Least toxic pest control materials are selected and applied in a

manner that minimizes risks to human health, beneficial and nontarget organisms, and the environment.

3.12 “LEED Rating System” means the Leadership in Energy & Environmental

Design system developed by the U.S. Green Building Council designed for rating

new and existing commercial, institutional, and high-rise residential buildings.

3.13 “Organic Pest Management” prohibits the use and application of toxic chemical pesticides and strives

to prevent pest problems through the application of natural, organic horticultural and maintenance

practices.

3.14 “Persistent Bioaccumulative Toxins (PBTs)” are chemicals and/or pollutants that remain in the

environment for a long time (persist) without breaking down, accumulate in the environment and build up

in the tissues of humans, fish, and animals (bioaccumulative), and are toxic (causing cancer and other

health problems)

to living organisms, including humans.

3.15 "Postconsumer Material" means a finished material which would normally be disposed of as a solid

waste, having reached its intended end-use and completed its life cycle as a consumer item, and does not

include manufacturing or converting wastes.

3.16 “Post Consumer Recycled Material” means residential waste reused in industrial process, such as

recycled newspapers used to manufacture more newsprint.

3.17 “Practical” mean whenever possible and compatible with local, state, and federal law, without

reducing safety, quality, or effectiveness and where the product

or service is available at a reasonable cost in a reasonable period of time. A reasonable cost shall mean that

the product has a life-cycle cost that is reasonably similar to the life-cycle costs of other similar products

and has a 10 percent or less price preference.

3.18 “Precautionary Principle of Environmental Protection” means if an action or policy has a suspected

risk of causing harm to the public or to the environment, in the absence of scientific consensus that the

action or policy is harmful, the burden of proof that it is not harmful falls on those taking the action.

3.19 “Pre-consumer Material” or Post-Industrial” means material or by-products generated after

manufacture of a product is completed but before the product reaches the end-use consumer. Pre-consumer

material does not include mill and manufacturing trim, scrap, or broken which is generated at a

manufacturing site and commonly reused on-site in the same or another manufacturing process.

3.20 “Recovered Material” means fragments of products or finished products of a manufacturing process,

which has converted a resource into a commodity of real economic value, and includes pre-consumer and

post consumer material but does not include excess resources of the manufacturing process.

3.21 “Recycled Content” means the percentage of recovered material, including pre consumer and post

consumer materials, in a product.

3.22 “Recycled Content Standard” means the minimum level of recovered material and/or postconsumer

material necessary for products to qualify as “recycled products.”

3.23 “Recycled Product” means a product that meets the City of Maplewood recycled content policy

objectives for post consumer and recovered material.

3.24 “Remanufactured Product” means any product diverted from the supply of discarded materials by

refurbishing and marketing said product without substantial change to its original form.

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3.25 “Reused Product” means any product designed to be used many times for the same or other purposes

without additional processing except for specific requirements such as cleaning, painting, or minor repairs.

3.26 “Source Reduction” refers to products that result in a net reduction in the generation of waste

compared to their previous or alternate version and includes durable, reusable, and remanufactured

products; products with no, or reduced, toxic constituents; and products marketed with no, or reduced,

packaging.

3.27 “U.S. EPA Guidelines” means the Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines established by the U.S.

EPA for federal agency purchases as of May 2002 and any subsequent versions adopted.

4.0 GENERAL CONDITIONS 4.1 Source Reduction

4.1.1 The City of Maplewood shall institute practices that reduce waste and result in the purchase of fewer

products whenever practical and cost-effective, but without reducing safety or workplace quality.

4.1.2 The City of Maplewood shall purchase remanufactured products (i.e. for equipment and vehicles)

whenever practical, but without reducing safety, quality, or effectiveness.

4.1.3 All buyers shall consider short-term and long-term costs in comparing product alternatives, when

practical. This includes evaluation of total costs expected during the time a product is owned, including, but

not limited to, acquisition, extended warranties, operation, supplies, maintenance, disposal costs, and

expected lifetime compared to other alternatives.

4.1.4 Products that are durable, long lasting, reusable, refillable, recyclable, or otherwise create less waste

shall be selected whenever practical.

4.1.5 The City of Maplewood requires contractors to use packaging or dishware that is reusable, recyclable,

or compostable whenever practical.

4.1.6 Packaging or dishware that is reusable, recyclable, or compostable shall be selected when suitable

uses and programs exist. No polystyrene foam food packaging, Styrofoam drinking cups or plates, and

beverages bottled in plastic where practical.

4.1.7 Contractors shall be required whenever possible to take back and reuse pallets and packaging

materials.

4.1.8 Suppliers of electronic equipment shall be required to take back equipment for reuse or

environmentally safe recycling when the City of Maplewood discards or replaces such equipment,

whenever practical.

4.1.9 Rechargeable and recyclable batteries shall be purchased and used whenever practical.

4.1.10 All documents shall be printed and copied on both sides to reduce the use and purchase of paper,

whenever practical.

4.1.12 All departments shall maximize the electronic distribution of information via websites and email for

routine publications and flyers.

4.2 Toxics Reduction and Pollution Prevention

4.2.1 No product or service purchased by the City of Maplewood shall contain, emit, or create the

following in its use, to the extent practical: o known carcinogens and reproductive toxins, o persistent

bioaccumulative toxicants, including lead, mercury, dioxins and furans for example, o compounds toxic to

humans or aquatic life, corrosive to the skin or eyes, or that are skin sensitizers, and o substances that

contribute to the production of photochemical smog, atmospheric ozone production, or poor indoor air

quality.

4.2.2 All cleaning or products (i.e. for janitorial or automotive use) shall at a minimum meet Green Seal or

EcoLogo Standards, whenever practical.

4.2.3 Purchasing products containing persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic chemicals shall be avoided,

where alternatives exist. This includes following the guidance to minimize/eliminate the use of products

that contain or generate persistent, toxic, or bioaccumulative wastes during manufacturing or reuse/disposal

such as mercury, lead, or dioxin.

4.2.4 The use of chlorofluorocarbon-containing refrigerants, solvents, and other products known to

contribute to the depletion of the ozone layer shall be phased out and new purchases shall not contain them.

The City of Maplewood shall not purchase any chlorofluorocarbon-processed food packaging.

4.2.5 When maintaining buildings and landscapes, the City of Maplewood shall manage pest problems

through prevention and physical, mechanical, and biological controls and use least toxic chemical pesticide

products only after safer approaches or products have been determined to be ineffective. The City of

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Maplewood shall adopt and implement an organic pest management policy and practices, or review and/or

revise and further implement the City’s Integrated Pest Management (IPM) policy and practices for indoor

and outdoor areas using chemical controls only as a last resort and providing on-going education and

training to City staff.

4.2.6 The City of Maplewood shall use products with the lowest amount of volatile organic compounds

(VOCs), highest recycled content, and low or no formaldehyde when purchasing building maintenance

materials such as paint, carpeting, flooring, adhesives, furniture, and casework.

4.2.7 The City of Maplewood shall reduce or eliminate its use of products that contribute to the formation

of dioxins and furans. This includes, but is not limited to: o Purchasing paper, paper products, and janitorial

paper products that are unbleached or that are processed without chlorine or chlorine derivatives, whenever

possible.

o Prohibiting purchase of products that contain or are packaged in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) such as, but

not limited to, office binders, furniture, carpeting, flooring, other building materials and supplies, and

medical supplies whenever practical.

4.2.8 The City of Maplewood shall purchase products and equipment with no lead, Cadmium, or mercury

whenever possible. For products that must contain lead or mercury because no suitable alternative exists or

because they are more energy efficient, the City of Maplewood shall give preference to those products with

the lowest quantities of these metals available and to contractors with established lead, cadmium and

mercury recovery programs.

4.2.9 When replacing vehicles, the City of Maplewood shall lease or purchase only the most fuel-efficient

models available that are suitable for each task and through carsharing and carpooling, shall minimize the

number of vehicles purchased.

4.2.10 To the extent practical, the City shall use renewably-derived fuels or fuels that are cleaner and less-

polluting than gasoline and conventional diesel fuel, including biodiesel, natural gas, and electricity.

4.2.11 The purchase of all pentachlorophenol, arsenic, and creosote treated wood by the City of

Maplewood is prohibited.

4.2.12 The purchase of products which are treated with Fluorochemicals for stain resistance is prohibited.

4.2.13 The purchase of antibacterial hand soap containing Triclosan is prohibited.

4.2.14 The purchase of products which contain Nanosilver is prohibited.

4.3 Recycled Content Products

4.3.1 All products shall contain the highest post consumer recycled content practical, but no less than the

minimum recycled content standards established by the U.S. EPA Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines.

4.1.11 All departments shall minimize the use of colored paper for routine publications and flyers,

especially the use of Neon Bright colors, unless these products can be proven to be made with at least 30

percent post-consumer waste product.

4.3.2 Copiers and printers purchased shall be compatible with the use of recycled content and

remanufactured products.

4.3.3 The City of Maplewood shall purchase re-refined lubricating and industrial oil for use in its vehicles

and other equipment, as long as it is consistent with the engine manufacturer’s warranty and maintenance

requirements.

4.3.4 When specifying asphalt concrete, aggregate base or portland cement concrete for road construction

projects, the City of Maplewood shall use recycled, reusable, or reground materials when practical and

consistent with accepted engineering practices.

4.3.5 The City of Maplewood shall specify and purchase recycled content transportation products,

including signs, cones, parking stops, delineators, and barricades.

4.3.6 A 10 percent price preference may be given to recycled content products based on the lowest bid or

price quoted by the suppliers offering the competing non recycled content products.

4.3.7 Printing paper, office paper, and paper products will contain the highest postconsumer content

practical, but no less than the minimum recycled content standards established by the U.S. EPA

Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines.

4.3.8 All pre-printed recycled content papers intended for distribution shall contain a statement that the

paper has recycled content. Whenever feasible, the statement should indicate the percentage of

postconsumer recycled content it contains.

4.4 Energy and Water Savings

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4.4.1 New and replacement equipment for lighting, heating, ventilation, refrigeration, and air conditioning

systems, water consuming fixtures and process equipment and all such components shall meet or exceed

Federal Energy Management Program

(FEMP) recommended levels, whenever practical.

4.4.2 All products purchased by the City of Maplewood and for which the U.S. EPA Energy Star rating is

available shall be Energy Star qualified, when practical. When Energy Star rating is not available, products

shall meet or exceed the FEMP recommended levels.

4.4.3 All computers purchased by the city be EPEAT registered – the level (bronze, silver, gold) would

depend on the type of computer.

4.4.3 When energy is purchased, renewable or green sources are preferred. These include solar power or

photovoltaics, wind power, geothermal, and hydroelectric energy sources and do not include fossil fuels

(coal, oil or natural gas).

4.4.4 Demand water heaters shall be purchased whenever practical. Where renewable forms of energy are

unavailable or not practical, natural gas shall be used in lieu of electricity for space heating and water

heating.

4.4.5 Energy Star and power-saving features for copiers, computers, monitors, printers and other office

equipment shall be enabled during the initial installation and shall remain enabled unless these features

conflict with the manufacturer’s recommended operation and maintenance of the equipment.

4.5 Green Building - Construction and Renovations

4.5.1 All new city buildings and renovations shall follow Green Building practices for design, construction,

and operation, where applicable, as described in the LEED Rating System, to meet at least a minimum of a

Silver level of LEED or LEED for Existing Buildings, or future Green Building Programs adopted by the

city.

4.6 Landscaping

4.6.1 All landscape renovations, construction, and maintenance by the City of Maplewood, including

workers and contractors providing landscaping services for the City of Maplewood, shall employ

sustainable landscape management techniques for design, construction and maintenance whenever

practical, including, but not limited to, integrated pest management, grass cycling, drip irrigation,

composting, and procurement and use of mulch and compost that give preference to those produced from

regionally generated plant debris and/or food waste programs.

4.6.2 Plants should be selected to minimize waste by choosing species for purchase that are appropriate to

the microclimate, species that can grow to their natural size in the space allotted them, and perennials rather

than annuals for color. Native and drought-tolerant plants that require no or minimal watering once

established are preferred.

4.6.3 Hardscapes and landscape structures constructed of recycled content materials are encouraged. The

City of Maplewood shall limit the amount of impervious surfaces in the landscape, wherever practical.

Permeable substitutes, such as permeable asphalt or pavers, are encouraged for walkways, patios, and

driveways.

4.7 Forest Conservation

4.7.1 To the greatest extent practical, the City of Maplewood shall not procure wood products such as

lumber and paper that originate from forests harvested in an environmentally unsustainable manner. When

possible, the City of Maplewood shall give preference to wood and wood products that are certified to be

sustainably harvested by a comprehensive, performance-based certification system. The certification

system shall include independent third-party audits, with standards equivalent to, or stricter than, those of

the Forest Stewardship Council certification.

4.8 Agricultural Bio-Based Products

4.8.1 Vehicle and equipment fuels made from non-wood, plant-based contents such as vegetable oils are

encouraged whenever practical.

4.8.2 Paper, paper products, and construction products made from non-wood, plant based contents such as

agricultural crops and residues are to be purchased and used whenever practical.

5.0 PRIORITIES 5.1 The health and safety of people who live and work in Maplewood is of utmost importance and takes

precedence over all other City policies. All policies and practices shall be protective of the health of

children, the elderly and other vulnerable populations, and the greater global community.

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5.2 The City of Maplewood has made significant investments in developing a successful recycling system

and recognizes that recycled content products are essential to the continuing viability of that recycling

system and for the foundation of an environmentally sound production system. Therefore, to the greatest

extent practical, recycled content shall be included in products that also meet other environmental

specifications, such as chlorine free or bio-based.

5.3 Nothing contained in this policy shall be construed as requiring a department, buyer or contractor to

procure products that do not perform adequately for their intended use, exclude adequate competition, or

are not available at a reasonable price in a reasonable period of time.

5.4 Nothing contained in this policy shall be construed as requiring the City of Maplewood, department,

buyer or contractor to take any action that conflicts with local, state or federal requirements.

6.0 IMPLEMENTATION 6.1 The City Manager or his or her designee shall implement this policy in coordination with other

appropriate City of Maplewood personnel policies.

6.2 Implementation of this policy will be phased based on available resources and City priorities.

6.3 The Environmental Planner shall advise the City Manager or his/her designee regarding

environmentally preferable products that comply with this policy.

Recommendations will include input of applicable environmental staff and the Maplewood Green Team.

Whenever possible, the City will use existing eco-labels and standards to make purchasing decisions.

6.4 Successful bidders shall certify in writing that the environmental attributes claimed in formal

competitive bids are accurate. Contractors shall be required to specify the minimum or actual percentage of

recovered and postconsumer material in their products, even when such percentages are zero. Third party

verification of claims – Scientific certification systems or UL.

6.5 Preference for local businesses shall be accorded to promote businesses in Maplewood that provide

environmentally preferable products and services.

6.6 Contractors and grantees shall comply with applicable sections of this policy for products and services

provided to the City of Maplewood, where practical. In particular, contractors and grantees providing

written materials to the City shall do so on recycled content paper per the requirements of this Policy and

labeled as such.

Contractors and grantees shall be prohibited from using pentachlorophenol, arsenic, and creosote treated

wood.

6.7 If the buyer making the selection from competitive bids or the requesting department seek to purchase

products that do not meet the environmentally preferable purchasing criteria in this Policy, the buyer or the

department shall provide a written justification to the City Manager or his/her designee for why compliance

is not practical, e.g., the product is not technically practical, economically feasible, or available within the

timeframe required. The City Manager or his/her designee shall be the authority to approve all contracts

that do not require City Council authority or items covered under contracts executed prior to the effective

date of this Policy.

6.8 If a contractor that is under contract to the City of Maplewood is no longer able to provide a product

that meets the City’s environmental purchasing policy, it shall notify the City Manager or his/her designee

and provide written justification for why compliance is not practical. Prior written consent from the City

Manager or his/her designee, or authorized City representative, shall be required before substituting any

alternative product to any City employee.

6.9 The Information Technology Department shall be responsible for setting duplexing as the default on

each workstation for all capable printers. This includes printing from network connected or stand-alone

personal computer printers that are capable of duplexing.

6.10 The Information Technology Department shall be responsible for advising the City Manager or his/her

designee on purchases of environmentally preferable electronic equipment with a major focus on power

consumption, energy conservation in employee computer use, server farms and replacement IT equipment.

6.11 Training of buyers and other relevant city staff, contractors and grantees shall include instruction on

the requirements of this Environmental Purchasing Policy by the Environmental Planner and Maplewood

Green Team.

7.0 PROGRAM EVALUATION 7.1 The Environmental Planner and City Manager or his/her designee shall evaluate the success of this

Policy’s implementation by providing an annual report to the City Council. The report shall relate progress

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in meeting the goals and objectives of this Policy and note any barriers encountered, recommendations for

resolution, and/or description of assistance needed to continuously improve staff’s ability to meet this

Policy’s objectives for the procurement of environmentally preferable products and services.

8.0 REFERENCES 8.1 Rethink Recycling Environmental Purchasing Guide

(http://www.rethinkrecycling.com/government/eppg). The Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Guide

can help save money while reducing waste and conserving energy in over 30 product areas. The Guide

covers aspects of the complete purchasing process, including details on cost, performance and vendors

everything you need to make wise purchases.

8.2 Responsible Purchasing Network (http://www.responsiblepurchasing.org/). The Responsible

Purchasing Network is a national network of procurement-related professionals dedicated to socially

responsible and environmentally sustainable purchasing. They can assist governments with many aspects of

green purchasing.

8.3 Environmental Protection Agency – Environmental Preferable Purchasing

(http://www.epa.gov/epp/index.htm). The U.S. EPA Environmentally Preferable Purchasing program is

geared toward federal purchasers, but includes helpful information for other public entities.

8.4 The National Institute of Governmental Purchasing (NIGP)

(http://www.nigp.org/eweb/StartPage.aspx?Site=NIGP&webcode=com-about). The NIGP Green

Knowledge Community is designed to bring together subject matter experts and practitioners to develop,

disseminate and promote information and resources for and about policy development, environmentally

preferable products, and social and economic responsibility in public procurement. This site is open to

NIGP members only.

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Appendix Q: Ramsey County Deer Management Strategies

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