HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-02-23 ENR Packet
AGENDA
CITY OF MAPLEWOOD
ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION
Thursday, February 23, 2017
7:00 p.m.
Council Chambers - Maplewood City Hall
1830 County Road B East
1.Call to Order
2.Roll Call
3.Approval of Agenda
4.Approval ofMinutes:January 25, 2017
5.New Business
a.Election of Chair and Vice Chair
b.Implementation
c.2016 ENR Commission Annual Report
6.Unfinished Business
a.Urban Agriculture Zoning Review
7.Visitor Presentations
8.Commission Presentations
9.Staff Presentations
a.Nature Center Programs
10.Adjourn
Agenda Item 4
MINUTES
CITY OF MAPLEWOOD
ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION
7:00 p.m., Wednesday,January 25, 2017
Council Chambers, City Hall
1830 County Road B East
1.CALL TO ORDER
A meeting of the Environmental and Natural Resources Commission was called to order at 7:05
p.m.by Chair Miller.
2.ROLL CALL
Keith Buttleman, CommissionerAbsent
MaryHenderson, CommissionerAbsent
Mollie Miller, ChairPresent
Ann Palzer, CommissionerPresent
Ted Redmond, CommissionerPresent
Ryan Ries, CommissionerPresent
Tom Sinn, Vice ChairAbsent
Staff Present
Shann Finwall, Environmental Planner
Ginny Gaynor, Natural Resource Coordinator
3.APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Commissioner Riesmoved to approve the agenda as submitted.
Seconded by CommissionerPalzerAyes – All
The motion passed.
4.APPROVAL OF MINUTES
CommissionerRedmondmoved to approve the December 19, 2016, Environmental and Natural
Resources Commission meeting minutes as submitted.
Seconded by CommissionerRies.Ayes – ChairMiller,
Commissioner’s Redmond,
& Ries
Abstention – Commissioner Palzer
The motion passed.
5.NEW BUSINESS
a.Election of Chair and Vice Chair
Thechair recommended moving the election of Chair and Vice Chair to the February 23,
2017, ENR meeting so that all Commission members could be present.
January 25, 2017
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Environmental and Natural Resources Commission MeetingMinutes
b.Local Energy Planning
Environmental PlannerFinwall discussed theComprehensive Planning process and
how Local Energy Planning will fit into the 2040 Comprehensive Plan.
st
Senior Program Director, Brian Rosswith Great Plains Institute, 2801 –21
Avenue
South, Suite 220, Minneapolis, addressed and answered questions of the
Commission.
st
Metro CERT’sDirector, Diana McKeown, with Great Plains Institute, 2801 –21
Avenue South, Suite 220, Minneapolis, addressed and answered questions of the
Commission.
Mr. Ross and Ms. McKeown presented regional energy planning and tools available to the
City for energy and greenhouse gasreduction planning. The presentation and energy
planning assistance is part of the Local Government Project for Energy Planning
(LoGoPEP). Maplewood is one of five Minnesota cities participating in the LoGoPEP
projectdesigned to engage localgovernments in committing to actionable strategies for
energy and greenhouse gas emission reductions. As part of the project, the
Environmental Commission should recommend broad energy/climate goals by the end of
March. These goals will be shared with the LoGoPEP group and will help guide other
City’s energy goals.
Staff recommend the Commission form anenergy planning subcommittee to meet outside
of the full Commission and recommend energy goals.The subcommittee appointments
should be addressed during the 2017 Goal Setting agenda item.
c.2017 Goal Setting
Environmental PlannerFinwall reviewed the 2016 goals and discussed projects the
Commission may review in 2017.
Natural Resource CoordinatorGaynoraddressed the Commissionregarding the 2017
Maplewood Naturel Center goalsand natural resources projects.
The Commission chose three goals to focus on in 2017 including:
1.Planning –
i.Continue with urban agriculture zoning review
ii.Begin comprehensive planreviewincluding energy planning
iii.Revise Renewable Energy ordinance
iv.Revise Mississippi Critical Area ordinance
2.Environmental Education -
i.Environmental education during events
ii.Focus on more environmental education outreach, such as partnering with the
Green Team to create public service messages or using social media.
TheCommission choose to create subcommittees to address these goals more
thoroughly outside of the full Commission as follows:
1.Planning –
i.CommissionerMiller volunteered for the urban agriculture subcommittee
ii.Commissioner’sRies and Redmond volunteered for energy planning
2.Environmental Education -Commissioner’sPalzer and Redmond volunteered for the
environmental education subcommittee.
The goal implementation plan and subcommittee appointments will be finalized during the
February Commission meeting.
January 25, 2017
2
Environmental and Natural Resources Commission MeetingMinutes
6.UNFINISHED BUSINESS
a.Urban Agriculture Zoning Review
Due to the time constraints the Commission tabled this item until the February 23, 2017,
ENR Meeting.
7.VISITOR PRESENTATIONS
None present.
8.COMMISSION PRESENTATIONS
Commissioner Redmond mentioned he is putting together a Maplewood Community Action Tool
Kitthat he will share with staff and the full Commission soon. The intent of the kit is to educate
people on certain things such as globalwarming. If this is something the City is interested in
using it could be a great educational tool.
Chair Miller stated that this kit could be used as part of the Commission’s educational booth at the
Waterfest event in June.
9.STAFF PRESENTATIONS
a.January 31, 2017, Republic Service Landfill and Recycling Center Tour
Environmental PlannerFinwall reminded Commissioners about the landfill and recycling
center tour on Tuesday, January 31, 2017.
th
b.60Celebration
th
Natural Resource CoordinatorGaynor announced the City is having a60celebration at
the Maplewood Community Center on Friday, February 24, 2017, from6:30 –8:30 p.m.
c.Maplewood Nature Center Programs
For information on programs at the Maplewood Nature Center contact the Maplewood
Nature Center at (651) 249-2170or check the City’s website.
10.ADJOURNMENT
Chair Miller adjourned the meeting at 9:10 p.m.
January 25, 2017
3
Environmental and Natural Resources Commission MeetingMinutes
Agenda Item 5.a.
MEMORANDUM
TO: Environmental and Natural Resources Commission
FROM:Shann Finwall, AICP, Environmental Planner
DATE: February 16, 2017 for the February 23 ENR Commission Meeting
SUBJECT: Election of Chair and Vice Chair
The Environmental andNaturalResources(ENR)Commissionordinance requires thatthe
Commission elect a chair and vice-chair to run the meetingseach year.In 2016 the ENR
Commissionelected CommissionerMillertobethechair and CommissionerSinnto bethevice-
chair.During theENRCommission meeting theCommission should appointa
chairand vice-chair for2017,and vote onthose appointees.
Agenda Item 5.b.
MEMORANDUM
TO: Environmental and Natural Resources Commission
FROM:Shann Finwall, AICP, Environmental Planner
SUBJECT:Implementation of Goals
DATE: February 16, 2017 for the February 23 ENR Commission Meeting
Introduction
In January the Environmental and Natural Resources (ENR) Commission held a goal setting
session. TheCommissionreviewed action items andadopted goals for 2017.During the
February meeting, the Commissionshould review the goals and determine how best to
implement them.
Discussion
Action Items
1.Comprehensive Plan: Comprehensive plan updates must be complete by December 31,
2018. Throughout 2017 and 2018 the ENRCommission will review various chapters of
the City’s comprehensive plan and recommend environmental goals for the City.
2.Renewable Energy Ordinance:The City is participating in the SolSmart program, a
national recognition program to spotlight solar friendly communities. As part of our
participation in the program, the City’s renewable energy ordinance was reviewed by a
team of energy experts. Theyoffered feedback on ordinance amendments that would
reduce barriers to solar access. In 2017, the Commission should review the renewable
energy ordinance amendment recommendations.
3.Mississippi River Corridor Critical Area(MRCCA):The Department of Natural
Resources (DNR) published new rules for the MRCCA on December 27, 2016. A small
portion of the MRCCA is located in Maplewood, in the southern portion of the City
including Maplewood’s Fish Creek Natural Area. The DNR held a meeting in early
February to outline the next steps for implementation of the Rules. Following is a
summary:
a.2017/2018: Updates to the MRCCA comprehensive planning chapters.
b.2019:Updates to MRCCA ordinances.
Goals
1.Planning:
a.Continue with urban agriculture zoning review. The goal is to have the
Commission’s full recommendations reviewed and approved by the Planning
Commission and City Council by the end of the year.
b.Begin comprehensive plan review including energy planning. This will be an
ongoing project throughout 2017 and 2018.
c.Revise the renewable energy ordinancewith the goal of having the ordinance
reviewed and approved by the City Council by the end of the year.
2.Environmental Education:
a.Environmental education during eventsincluding Waterfest and National Night
Out.
b.Focus on more environmental education outreach, such as partnering with the
City’s Communication Department and Green Team to create public service
messages and usesocial media throughout the year.
Implementation Strategies
Staff recommends the full Commission work on the action items including the comprehensive
plan, renewable energy ordinance, and MRCCA projects.These projects will be brought before
the Commission by staffthroughoutthe year.
Staff recommends the Commission form subcommittees made up of three Commissioners each
to do research and make recommendations to the full Commission on the following:
1.Planning:
a.Energy planning subcommitteeto recommend initial comprehensive energy
goals by March 2017and do energy research and reporting as needed
throughout the 2040 Comprehensive Planning process.
b.Urban agriculture subcommittee to do research and reporting as needed
throughout the urban agriculture zoning review.In addition, help plan an urban
agriculture tour to be held in the summer or fall of 2017.
2.Environmental education subcommittee to recommend environmental education event
themes and create an environmental education outreach plan.
RECOMMENDATION
The Environmental Commission should discuss how best to implement the 2017goals.
2
Agenda Item 5.c.
MEMORANDUM
TO: Environmental and Natural Resources Commission
FROM:Shann Finwall, AICP, Environmental Planner
DATE:February 16, 2017 for the February 23 ENR Commission Meeting
SUBJECT: 2016 Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Annual Report
Annually the Environmental and Natural Resources (ENR) Commission submits a report to the City
Council. The report outlines actions and activities taken by the Commission during the preceding
year, recommendations needed to existing ordinances or policies based on past reviews, and
goals envisioned for the new year. The report serves as an important means of updating the City
Council on the Commission’s accomplishments and obtaining feedback on proposed goals.
Attachedfind a draft ofthe 2016 ENR Commission Annual Report.TheCommission should review
thereport and offer commentandfeedback.Thefinal report willbe forwarded to the City Council
for their reviewand approval.
Attachment
D R A F T
MEMORANDUM
TO: Melinda Coleman, City Manager
FROM:Environmental and Natural Resources Commission
DATE:February 23, 2017
SUBJECT: 2016 Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Annual Report
Introduction
Annually the Environmental and Natural Resources (ENR) Commission submits a report to the
City Council. The report outlines actions and activities taken by the Commission during the
preceding year, recommendations for amendments to existing ordinances or policies,and goals
for the new year. The report serves as an important means of updating the City Council on the
Commission’s accomplishments and obtaining feedback on proposed goals.
Discussion
The ENRCommission is charged with protecting, preserving, and enhancing the environment of
the City of Maplewood.
Commissioners
The ENR Commission consists of seven Commissioners appointed by the City Council.
Commission terms are for three years, with extensions for additional terms approved by the City
Council. Following are the Commissioners that served on the ENR Commission in 2016:
CommissionerMembership BeganTerm Expires
Ginny Yingling11/30/0609/30/16(resigned 9/30/16)
Mollie Miller09/22/1409/30/17
Tom Sinn09/22/1409/30/17
Dale Trippler02/25/0809/30/18 (resigned 1/27/16)
Ryan Ries08/10/1509/30/18
Keith Buttleman01/25/1609/30/18
Ann Palzer07/25/1109/30/19
Mary Henderson 01/25/1609/30/19
Ted Redmond11/14/1609/30/19
Dale Trippler and Ginny Yingling resigned in 2016. Commissioner Trippler had served on the
ENR Commissioner for seven years and eleven months, from February 25, 2008 to January 27,
2016. Commissioner Trippler also served on the Environmental Committee prior to the
1
Commission. Commissioner Yingling had served on the ENR Commissionerfor nine years and
ten months, serving from November 30, 2006, to September 30, 2016.
Keith Buttleman and Mary Henderson were appointed on January 25, 2016 and Ted Redmond
was appointed on November 14, 2016.
Chair and Vice Chair
Each year the ENR Commission appoints a Chair and Vice Chair to run the Commission
meetings. On February 23, 2017, the Commission appointed Commissioner ___________ to
be the Chair and Commissioner __________ to be the Vice Chair. Previously (2016) the Chair
was Commissioner Miller and the Vice Chair was Commissioner Sinn.
Meetings
The ENR Commission meetings are held the third Monday of every month at 7:00 p.m. In 2016,
the ENR Commission held 10of their 12 regularly scheduled monthly meetings; two were
rescheduled due to national holidays that fall on a Monday in January and February, one was
cancelled so the Commission could attend anurban agriculture tour in lieu of the meeting, and
one was cancelled due to a lack of a quorum.
2016Attendance
CommissionerAttendance
Mollie Miller10 of 10
Ryan Ries10of 10
Tom Sinn9of 10
Ann Palzer8of 10
Ginny Yingling7of 10(Resigned in September)
Keith Buttleman7 of 10 (Appointed in January)
Mary Henderson6 of 10 (Appointed in January)
Ted Redmond2 of 10(Appointed in November)
Dale Trippler1of 10(Resigned in January)
2016Reviews and Accomplishments
The ENR Commission is an important piece of the City’s environmental planning efforts. The
City’s ENR Commission ordinance outlines the Commission’s mission to include developingand
promotingsustainable practices for City policies and procedures.Following is a list of
environmental issues and events the Commission reviewed, help plan, or attendedin 2016:
1.Frost/Kennard Spent Lime Stormwater Treatment System for Wakefield Lake
1.Rice Street Gardens –Community Garden
2.Wetland Buffer Variance for a New House at 2214 Woodlynn Avenue
3.Review of 2016 Road Repavement Projects
4.Sustainability Report-2015
5.EnvironmentalandNaturalResourcesCommissionAnnualReport-2015
2
6.Resolution of Appreciation for Dale Trippler
7.Tennis Sanitation Recycling Collection Annual Review
8.Republic Services Trash and Yard Waste Collection Annual Review
9.Alliance for Sustainability Comprehensive Plan Workshop –March
10.Urban Agriculture Zoning Review
11.Spring Clean Up-April
12.Waterfest –June
13.NPDES Phase II and MS4 Permit, 2015 SWPPP Annual Report
14.Tour of the Mulch Store (Organic Recycling Facility)–June
15.Urban Agriculture Tour –August
16.Harvest Garden Farm
17.Governmental Solar Subscriber Collaborative
18.Valley Branch Watershed District Boundary Change
19.ENR Commission Rules of Procedure Amendment –Meeting Start Times
20.Energize Maplewood!Energy Action Plan
21.GreenStep Cities –Step 4 Award
22.City of Maplewood Greenhouse Gas Assessment –Presentation by Ted Redmond, Co-
Founder of paleBLUEdot
23.National Night Out –August
24.Trash/Recycling Contract Review
25.Accepted thePollinator Community Awardfrom the Pollinator Friendly Alliance-
September
26.Fall Clean Up Campaign -October
27.Fish Creek Sneak Peak Tour –October
28.Tour of Tennis Sanitation’s Expanded Recycling Facility -October
29.Resolution of Appreciation for Ginny Yingling
2016Goal Status
1.Goal: Urban Agriculture –Review the City’s ordinances and recommend amendments
that will remove barriers and promote urban agriculture, while ensuring no negative
impacts to surrounding properties.
Status:In 2015the ENR Commission formed an urban agriculture subcommitteemade
up of three members: Commissioners Edmundson, Miller, and Yingling.The
subcommittee hosted an urban agriculture tour in 2015 and 2016, and completed an
urban agriculture study with recommendations for reducing barriers to urban agriculture
uses in City ordinances. In 2016 the full Commission reviewed the urban agriculture
study and began drafting ordinance amendments based on those recommendations. To
date, the Commission hascompleted the review and recommendationof animal
agricultureuses.
2.Goal: Environmental Education –Identify key environmental messages tobe shared
during events and public service announcements throughout the year such as energy
awareness, increased recycling, or urban agriculture.
Status:In 2016the ENR Commission formed an environmental education
subcommitteemade up of three members: Commissioners Buttleman, Henderson, and
3
Miller. The subcommitteeplanned the educational focus for the Waterfest boothand
attended the event.
3.Goal: Energize Maplewood!Energy Action Plan –Support the implementation of the
energy actions outlined in the Energize Maplewood!Energy Action Plan.
Status:In 2016 the Commission and City staff implemented the remaining energy
actions outlined in the plan including: a) energy education and outreach to churches
(Energize Your Congregation!Energy Challenge); and b) energy outreach to businesses
(Building Tune Up Program and Benchmark Your Business). The remaining
implementation items will be complete by June 2017 to include Energize Your
Congregation!energy party celebration, completion of energy efficiency improvements
for the Building Tune Up Programparticipants, program analysis, and final program
publication.
4.Goal: Trash and Recycling -The City’s residential trash and recycling contracts end on
December 31, 2017(with the possibility of extensions).The Commission formed a solid
waste subcommittee to include Commissioners Yingling,Palzer, and Sinn. The
subcommittee met once to review the City’s trash and recycling collection contractsand
drafted a report for the full Commission that outlined issues the Commission should
review in preparation of contract reviews. The full Commission reviewed the report and
offered comment and feedback on the contracts.
Status: Staff is currently negotiating an extension of both contractswith a new term end
date of December 2019.
2017 Goals
During the January 25, 2017, ENR Commission meeting, the Commission adopted the following
goals for 2017:
1.Planning:
a.Continue with the urban agriculture zoning review. The goal is to have the
Commission’s full recommendations reviewed and approved by the Planning
Commission and City Council by the end of the year.
b.Begin comprehensive plan review including energy planning. This will be an
ongoing project throughout 2017 and 2018.
c.Revise the renewable energy ordinancewith the goal of having the ordinance
reviewed and approved by the City Council by the end of the year.
2.Environmental Education:
a.Environmental education during eventsincluding Waterfest and National Night
Out.
4
b.Focus on more environmental education outreach, such as partnering with the
City’s Communication Department and Green Team to create public service
messages and usesocial media throughout the year.
Conclusion
The ENR Commission will continue to carry out their mission as follows:
1.Establish environmental priorities for the City.
2.Make recommendations on policies, procedures and ordinances that control, protect,
preserve, and enhance the City’s environmental assets.
3.Participate in the mission and goal of the Maplewood Nature Center and Neighborhood
Preserves.
4.Promote greater use and appreciation of the City’s environmental assets.
5.Sponsor environmental projects to enhance, repair, replace, or restore neglected or
deteriorating environmental assets of the City.
6.Develop educational programs that foster the mission of the Commission.
7.Develop and promote sustainable practices for City policies and procedures.
Budget
None.
Recommendation
Consider approval of the 2016Environmental and Natural Resources Commission Annual
Report.
5
Agenda Item 6.a.
MEMORANDUM
TO:Environmental and Natural Resources Commission
FROM:Shann Finwall, AICP, Environmental Planner
DATE:2017for theENR Commission Meeting
SUBJECT:Urban Agriculture – Zoning Review
Introduction
The Environmental and Natural Resources (ENR) Commissionhas been reviewing the City’s
ordinances and making recommendations toremove barriers and promote urban agriculture
uses. There are four aspects of the Commission’s review including:
Animal agriculture (keeping of poultry, etc.)
Crop agriculture (community gardens, etc.)
Direct to consumer sales (farm stands, etc.)
City Programming (composting classes, etc.)
During the January meeting the ENR Commission should continue their review of crop
agriculture.
Background
2015:The urban agriculture subcommittee reviewed the City’s existing zoning code to
determine where urban agriculture uses are permitted, or could be interpreted to be permitted,
and where there are barriers to the use(Attachment 1).Based on this information, the ENR
Commission is reviewing and making recommendationson amendments to existing ordinances
that will remove these barriers.
December 19, 2016: The ENR Commission recommended approval of amendments to
ordinances pertaining to animal agriculture including:
Keeping of poultry
o Allowing other poultry in addition to chicken (i.e., quail and pheasants)
o Increasing the number of poultry from 10 hens to a maximum of 30 poultry with a
permit, depending on size of lot.
o Changing the neighborhood consent requirements from 100 percent to a majority
consent for approval of a poultry permit.
o Allowing the keeping of poultry on property that is not zoned single family
residential with a permit.
Beekeeping
o Allowbeekeeping in any zoning district as a permitted use.
o Hive placement requirements
o Best practice requirements
Aquaculture and aquaponics
o Amend the M-1 and M-2 Zoning Districts to allow for these uses.
Temporary keeping of goats and sheep for vegetative management
o Allow the temporary keeping of goats and sheep (up to 60 days) for vegetative
management with a permit.
o Require a majority neighborhood consent for the temporary keeping of goats and
sheet.
o Allow up to 75 goats or sheep, depending on size of lot.
Discussion
Crop Agriculture
During the December meeting the Commission began their review of crop agriculture including
1) community gardens; 2) front yard gardening; 3) private gardening on vacant lots;4) market
gardens; 5)urban farms; and 6) season extenders. In particular, the Commission discussed
allowing community gardens in any zoning district with a conditional use permit. After
discussing the barriers to obtaining a conditional use permit including cost of the permit and
time commitment for review the Commission recommended that community gardens be allowed
with a simple permit or license in any zoning district, rather than a conditional use permit.
The Community Garden Policy Reference Guidecreated by the Public Health Law Center in
2012 is a valuable resource to creating policies for community gardens(Attachment/Link 2).
The guide outlines land use issues that should be reviewed with the approval of a community
garden including:
Zoning Districts
Parking
Setbacks
Fences
Permanent Structures
Signage
Water
Equipment
Sale/Use of Garden Products
Garden Design and Landscaping
Gardener Rules
Lease Agreement
Equipment
Soil Conditions
Raised Beds
Pest Control
Allowing community gardens with a conditional use permit would give the City the opportunity to
review the land use issues on a case by case basis. Conditions could then be required on each
community garden to address the issues. Allowing community gardens as a permitted use with
a permit, however, will require that the City create standards that willaddress all issues for any
type of community garden.
As a starting point for community garden standards in Maplewood, staff is including the City of
St. Paul’s Urban Agriculture ordinance for review. The St. Paul Urban Agriculture ordinance
allowsfor the principal use of land in any zoning district for production of food or horticultural
2
crops to be harvested, sold, or donated(Attachment 3). A site plan reviewis required with a
small fee(Attachment 4). City staff reviews the site plan to ensure it meets the standards
outlined in the code. The Commission should review the St. Paul Urban Agriculture ordinance
and offer comment and feedback on how similar standards and review process could be
implemented in Maplewood.
Recommendation
Review the community garden information and offer comment and feedback.
Attachmentsand Links
1.Urban Agriculture Zoning Review Study
2.Community Garden Policy Reference Guide(Public Health Law Center 2012)
3.St. Paul Urban Agriculture Ordinance
4.St. Paul Urban Agriculture Site Plan Review Application
3
Attachment 1
City of Maplewood Urban Agriculture – Zoning Review
Update June 16, 2016
The Environmental and Natural Resources (ENR) Commission’s 2016 goal is to review the
City’s ordinances and make recommendations that will remove barriers and promote urban
agriculture uses. There are four aspects of the Commission’s review including:
Animal agriculture (keeping of chickens, etc.)
Crop agriculture (community gardens, etc.)
Direct to consumer sales (farm stands, etc.)
City Programming (composting classes, etc.)
Review of Existing Codes
The urban agriculture subcommittee reviewed the City’s existing zoning code to determine
where urban agriculture uses are permitted, or could be interpretedto be permitted, and where
there are barriers to the use.For animal agriculture uses the following ordinances apply:
Residential
Farm District (Sections 44-71 and 44-72): It is estimated there are 200 residential lots that
are zoned Farm District. The Farm District zoning is a remnant district from the City’s
agricultural era. As large lots were subdivided into smaller lot residential developments,
Farm zoned land had been rezoned to Single Family Residential District (R-1).Livestock
raising and handling are allowed in the Farm District with a conditional use permit. Livestock
is defined as “horses, cattle, mules, asses, goats, sheep, swine, buffalo, llamas, ostriches,
reptiles, genetic hybrids of the foregoing, and other living animals usually kept for agriculture
husbandry, or the production of edible or salable byproducts.”
Single and Double Dwelling Residential Districts Including R-1, R-1(R), R-E, R-1S, R-2
(Sections 44-101,44-117,44-152,44-192,44-241):
o Permitted Uses
Single family homesand accessory uses.
Bees - Keeping of Certain Animals (Section 10-32):No person shall keep, maintain,
or harbor within the city any animal kept in such numbers or in such a way as to
constitute a likelihood of harm to the public, which constitutes a public nuisance.
Definition of animal includes “insect.” Interpretation – bees are allowed as long as
they don’t become a nuisance.
o Prohibited Uses
Raising or handling of livestock and poultry(except chickens as outlined in Article
IX).
o Home Occupations (Division 2)with a permit approved by the City Council if any of the
following circumstances would occur more than 30 days each year.
1
Employment of a nonresident.
Customers or customers’ vehicles on the premises.
Home Occupations must not:
Have more than one vehicle associated with the home occupation which is classified
as a light commercial vehicle.
Not generate traffic in greater volumes than would normally be expected in a
residential neighborhood.
Have more than one non-resident employee workingon the premises.
Have vehiclesassociated with the home occupation parked on the street.
Section 44-101includes permitted uses in residential zoning districts and specifies that
commercial plant nurseries and greenhouses on a property with a dwelling are allowed
with a home occupation license. Interpretation -aquaculture and aquaponicscould be
allowed with a home occupation.
o Uses Allowed with a Permit
Chickens(Article IX): Keeping of up to ten hens with a permit approved by City staff
is allowed in residential districts (except R-1S). Maplewood’s chicken ordinance was
adopted in 2011 and allows the keeping of up to ten hens on residential property with
a permit. A property owner applying for a permit must have consent from 100
percent of their adjacent property owners for the City to issue the permit. The fee for
a chicken permit is $75 for the first year, and $50 thereafter.
Commercial
Light Manufacturing District:
o Permitted uses in Section 44-636allows manufacturing, assembly or processing of food
products, except meat, poultry or fish. Interpretation –assembly or processing of meat,
poultry, or fish is prohibited, which would exclude aquaculture or aquaponics, which
refers to fish farming and closed loop systems that create a relationship between plants
and food.
Heavy Manufacturing District:
o Permitted uses in Section 44-676allow manufacturing, assembly or processing of food
products, except meat, poultry or fish. Interpretation –assembly or processing of meat,
poultry, or fish is prohibited, which would exclude aquaculture or aquaponics, which
refers to fish farming and closed loop systems that create a relationship between plants
and food.
Conditional Use Permits(Article V): The City Council may issue conditional use permits for
the following uses in any zoning district where they are not specifically prohibited: “Public
and private utilities, public service, or public building uses.”Interpretation –public service or
public building uses could include animal agriculture by a public entity in some zoning
districts with a conditional use permit.
2
Urban Agriculture | Saint Paul, MinnesotaPage 1of 5
Attachment 3
CalendarDepartmentsMapsNews Room
h
Searc
(/calendar)(/departments)(/maps)(/news-room)
Open InformationConnectJobs
(https://information.stpaul.gov)(/connect)(/departments/human-
resources/jobs)
RESIDENTSBUSINESSESGOVERNMENTVISITORS
(/RESIDENTS)(/BUSINESSES)(/GOVERNMENT)(/VISITORS)
(/)
Departments(/departments)//Safety & Inspections(/departments/safety-inspections)//
City Information & Complaints(/departments/safety-inspections/city-information-complaints)//
Resident Handbook(/departments/safety-inspections/city-information-complaints/resident-handbook)//
Zoning(/departments/safety-inspections/city-information-complaints/resident-handbook/zoning)
Popular In This Section
Urban Agriculture
Building Information & Applications
(/departments/safety-
inspections/construction-
Overview
inspections/building/building-
information-applications)
Building Trade
Sec. 65.771
(/departments/safety-
The principal use of land for production of food or horticultural crops to be
inspections/licenses/building-
harvested, sold, or donated.To establish an Agricultural use on vacant
trade)
property, you must submit an application for a Site Plan Review
Permits(/departments/safety-
(/DocumentCenter/View/71614). There is a $31 filing fee for all
inspections/permits)
applications. All applicants are required to provide a soil test with their
Zoning(/departments/safety-
application. Applicants can have soil lead tests done for $17 through the
inspections/zoning)
University of Minnesota. Visit this link for more information on how to
Vacant Buildings List
submit soil samples(http://soiltest.cfans.umn.edu/how-to-submit-
(/departments/safety-
samples/).
inspections/vacant-
buildings/vacant-buildings-list)
Becoming a TISH Evaluator
Standards and Conditions for all
(/departments/safety-
inspections/becoming-tish-
Agricultural Uses
evaluator)
https://www.stpaul.gov/departments/safety-inspections/city-information-complaints/reside...1/20/2017
Urban Agriculture | Saint Paul, MinnesotaPage 2of 5
(a) Approval of a site plan showing the location of all growing plots, sheds, Accessory Dwelling Units
structures, and fencing, with contact information for the site manager. A (/departments/safety-
soil lead test showing that lead levels are less than one hundred (100) parts inspections/accessory-dwelling-
per million shall be submitted to the zoning administrator with the site plan units)
or raised planting beds with soil barriers and clean, imported soil will be
required. Building permit required for structures 200 square feet or larger
and all fences
(b) In residential, traditional neighborhood, and business districts, an
agriculture use having an area greater than one (1) acre requires a
conditional use permit.
(c) The use shall be subject to the Minimum Property Maintenance
Standards (Chapter 34) and Noise Regulations (Chapter 293) of the City of
Saint Paul.
(d) Keeping of any animals other than bees is prohibited. The keeping of
bees requires a Keeping of Animal Permit.
(e) The use shall be conducted in a manner that controls odor, dust, erosion,
lighting, and noise and is in compliance with city standards so as not to
create a nuisance. This requirement may be enforced through the
provisions in Chapter 45 for nuisance abatement.
(f) Any tools, equipment, and material shall be stored and concealed within
an enclosed, secured structure.
(g) When an agriculture use has been discontinued, the property shall be
restored with grass or planted ground cover to control erosion, dust, and
mud. All structures accessory to the agriculture use shall be removed. This
requirement may be enforced through the provisions in Chapter 45 for
nuisance abatement.
Standards and conditions in residential and
traditional neighborhood districts for an
agriculture use with an area of less than one (1)
acre:
¶Po.tjuf!tbmft!tibmm!cf!mjnjufe!pomz!to products grown on the site. Sales
shall be limited to no more than three (3) sales in any calendar year and
may take place only between the hours of 7:00 AM and 7:00 PM.
¶Tbmft!tibmm!cf!ifme!po!qspqfsuz!pddvqjfe!fjuifs!cz!tfmmfs±t!exfmmjoh!voju!
or on property owned, rented, leased, or otherwise lawfully occupied by a
charitable, institutional, or political organization.
¶Tbmft!tibmm!opu!ublf!qmbdf!po!uif!qvcmjd!tjefxbml!ps!cpvmfwbse/
https://www.stpaul.gov/departments/safety-inspections/city-information-complaints/reside...1/20/2017
Urban Agriculture | Saint Paul, MinnesotaPage 3of 5
¶Hbsefojoh!frvjqnfou!tibmm!cf!mjnjufd to that which is commonly used
for household gardening.
¶Bddfttpsz!cvjmejoht!tibmm!opu!fydffe an area greater than ten (10)
percent of the parcel or one thousand (1000) square feet, whichever is
greater.
¶Ufnqpsbsz!tusvduvsft-!opu!fydffejoh!one hundred eighty (180) days per
year, such as hoop houses, cold frames, and similar structures located
above gardening plots and being used to extend the growing season are
permitted.
¶B!cvjmejoh!qfsnju!jt!sfrvjsfe!gps!any temporary structure covering an
area greater than two hundred (200) square feet.
¶Pof!jefoujgjdbujpo!tjho!jt!qfsnjuufe-!opu!up!fydffe!tjy!)7*!trvbsf!gffu/
Composting
Sec. 345.08 Residential Composting
Composting (the controlled microbial degradation of organic waste to yield
a humus like product) by residents on their own property is permitted
provided the following regulations are complied with:
¶Container:Composting shall be conducted within an enclosed container
(s) not to exceed a total of one hundred (100) cubic feet in volume for
city lots less than ten thousand (10,000 square feet) and one hundred
fifty (150) cubic feet for lots greater than ten thousand (10,000) square
feet, and five (5) feet high. The container(s) shall be of durable material
such as wood, block or sturdy metal fencing material.
¶Container location:The compost container(s) shall be located at least
five (5) feet from lot lines and be placed no closer than twenty (20) feet
to any habitable building, other than!uif!sftjefou±t!pxo!ipnf-!ops!mftt!
than two (2) feet away from the alley if any all exists.
¶Materials allowed:Only organic yard materials, including grass
clippings, leaves, faded flowers, weeds, sawdust, wood ash and plant
trimmings, lake plants, straw; kitchen scraps such as fruit and vegetable
peels and trimming, and other raw, non-greasy food wastes; and
commercially available compost materials, may be placed in the
compost container(s).
¶Materials not allowed:None of the following materials shall be placed in
the compost container(s): meat, bones, fat, oils, dairy products and other
greasy kitchen wastes, whole branches or logs, plastics, synthetic fibers,
human or pet wastes or heavily diseased plants.
¶Odors:Compost shall be properly managed to minimize odor generation
and promote effective decomposition of the material.
https://www.stpaul.gov/departments/safety-inspections/city-information-complaints/reside...1/20/2017
Urban Agriculture | Saint Paul, MinnesotaPage 4of 5
Other Applicable Code Requirements
Sec. 34.08. Exterior property areas.
¶Bmm!fyufsjps!qspqfsuz!bsfbt!tibmm!cf!nbjoubjofe!gsff!gspn!boz!
accumulation of garbage, mixed municipal solid waste, animal feces or
refuse.
¶Hspvoe!dpwfs/!Fwfsz!sftjefoujbm!qsfnjtft!tibmm!cf!nbjoubjofe!jo!b!
condition to control erosion, dust and mud by suitable landscaping with
grass, trees, shrubs or other planted ground cover, or by suitable paving
or by other means as shall be approved by the enforcement officer.
¶Jo!sftjefoujbm!{pojoh!ejtusjdut-!impervious surfaces, excluding the
principal building, accessory structures, patios and swimming pools
shall not exceed one thousand five hundred (1,500) square feet unless
site or terrain conditions make this impractical. For the purposes of this
section, an impervious surface includes driveways, sidewalks and
surface parking areas.
¶Jotfdu!boe!spefou!jogftubujpot/!Ju!tibmm!cf!uif!sftqpotjcjmjuz!pg!uif!pxofs!
to control and/or eliminate any infestation of insects, rodents or other
pests in all exterior areas and accessory structures on the premises.
Sec. 45.03. Nuisance.
¶Hsbtt!boe!xffet/!Hsbtt!xijdi!ibt!hspxo!vqpo!boz!qspqfsuz!up!b!ifjhiu!
of eight (8) or more inches or weeds.
¶Jotfdut-!spefout!boe!qftu!ibscpsbhf/ Conditions which are conducive to
the presence, harborage or breeding of insects, rodents or other pests.
¶Cfft!ps!qjhfpot!lfqu!xjui!xsjuufo!permission from and maintained in
accordance with the regulations of the division of public health are
exempt from the provisions of this chapter. Rank plant growth.
¶Pwfshspxo-!vodpouspmmfe!wfhfubujpo-!tisvct-!usfft-!wjoft!uibu!bsf!
conducive to the accumulation of refuse, debris or the harborage of
vermin.
Other permits that may be required
¶Lffqjoh!pg!Bojnbmt!)Cfft)0efqbsuments/safety-inspections/animal-
control-information/keeping-animals-permit))
¶Tjho!Qfsnjut)0efqbsunfout0tbgfuz.jotqfdujpot0qfsnjut0tjho*
¶Cvjmejoh!Qfsnjut)0efqbsunfout0tbgfuz.jotqfdujpot0dpotusvdujpo.
inspections/building)
¶Gfodf!Qfsnjut)0efqbsunfout0tbgfuz.jotqfdujpot0dpotusvdujpo.
inspections/building/fence-permit-inspections)
https://www.stpaul.gov/departments/safety-inspections/city-information-complaints/reside...1/20/2017
Attachment 4
STAFF USE ONLY
APPLICATION FOR SITE PLAN REVIEW
Urban Agriculture
GT File# _________________
Department of Safety and Inspections (DSI)
City agent_________________
375 Jackson Street
Suite 220
Saint Paul MN 55101-1806
(651) 266-9008
Include:A)a siteplan showing the location of all growing plots, structures, and fencing.
B) A soil lead test showing that lead levels are less than 100 parts per million oryou must
haveraised planting beds with soil barriers and clean, imported soil.
Name:_______________________________________________________________
APPLICANT
(Main contact
Company:____________________________________________________________
person for project)
Address:_____________________________________________________________
City:__________________________________State:_________Zip:______________
Phone:______________________Email:___________________________________
PROPERTY
Name:___________________________Company:____________________________
OWNER
Address:_____________________________________________________________
(If different than
the applicant)
Phone:_____________________Email:_____________________________________
Project name / description:______________________________________________
PROJECT
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
Project address / Location:______________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
Farmers Market-Number of vendors:______________________________________
Applicant's signature______________________________________________Date______________
*There is a filing fee of $30 for review of a site plan.
This form and otherinformation about site plan review are available at www.stpaul.gov/dsi.Click on Zoning in the column on the left side of the
pageand thenclick on Farmers Market/Urban Ag site plan review.
2/19/14
Note:
Urban Agriculture
Definition:“Principal use of land for production of food or horticultural crops to be harvested,
sold, or donated.” (Zoning Code Sec.65.771)
-If your site plan shows an area greater than 1acre, the keeping of beesor a temporary
structure covering an area greater than 120square feet,you will be responsible for obtaining
the correct permits from the City of Saint Paul.
-Applicants can have soil lead tests done for $17through the University of Minnesota.Visit
http://soiltest.cfans.umn.edu/how-to-submit-samples/for more information.
-Applicants using compost, referto ourcompost regulations page.
-All applicants are subject to obeying exterior property areas regulations found in the
property maintenance code Sec. 34.08and the nuisance ordinance Sec. 45.03.
Sec. 34.08. Exterior property areas.
(1)Sanitation.All exterior property areas shall be maintained free from any accumulation of
garbage, mixed municipal solid waste, animal feces or refuse.
(3)Ground cover.Every residential premises shall be maintained in a condition to control
erosion, dust and mud by suitable landscaping with grass, trees, shrubs or other
planted ground cover, or by suitable paving or by other means as shall be approved by
the enforcement officer. In residential zoning districts, impervious surfaces, excluding
the principal building, accessory structures, patios and swimming pools shall not
exceed one thousand five hundred (1,500) square feet unless site or terrain conditions
make this impractical. For the purposes of this section, an impervious surface includes
driveways, sidewalks and surface parking areas.
(4)Insect and rodent infestations.It shall be the responsibility of the owner to control
and/or eliminate any infestation of insects, rodents or other pests in all exterior areas
and accessory structures on the premises.
Sec. 45.03. Nuisance.
Nuisances include:
(7)Grass and weeds.Grass which has grown upon any property to a height of eight (8) or
more inches or weeds.
(10)Insects, rodents and pest harborage.Conditions which are conducive to the presence,
harborage or breeding of insects, rodents or otherpests. Bees or pigeons kept with
written permission from and maintained in accordance with the regulations of the
division of public health are exempt from the provisions of this chapter.
(16)Rank plant growth.Overgrown, uncontrolled vegetation, shrubs, trees, vines that are
conducive to the accumulation of refuse, debris or the harborage of vermin.