10.2.13 Vegetative Alterations
A. Vegetation alteration necessary for the construction of structures, sewage treatment systems and the construction of
roads and parking areas regulated by Section 10.2.16 of this Ordinance are exempt from the vegetation alteration
standards in Section 10.2.13 of this Ordinance, provided that a plan for the activities has been submitted to and
approved by the Department.
B. Except for agricultural and forest management uses as regulated in Sections 10.2.19 and 10.2.20 of this Ordinance
,
respectively, removal or alteration of vegetation may only be allowed, subject to the following standards:
(1) Intensive vegetation clearing within the shore and bluff impact zones and on steep slopes is not allowed
,
ex
cept as described in this Section. Intensive vegetation clearing for forest land conversion to another us
e
o
utside of the shore and bluff impact zones and on steep slopes may be allowed as a conditional use if an
erosion control and sedimentation plan is developed and approved by the Soil and Water Conservation
District.
(2) Planned Unit, open space and conservation design developments are subject to the standards of Sections 7.6
and 10.2.22 A.(2) of this Ordinance.
(3) Vegetative alterations may be allowed on riparian lots, in shore or bluff impact zones or on steep slopes in
accordance with the following standards
:
(
a) Prior to vegetative removal regulated by this Section or prior to establishing a view corridor on
a
r
iparian lot, the property owner shall contact the Department to arrange for a site visit and comp
lete
an
application for vegetative alteration; and
(b) The Department may require that the property owner clearly mark any proposed view corridor and/or
any vegetation to be removed from a riparian lot. Additionally, the Department may require th
e
p
roperty owner to supply information on slope, soil type, property line locations, location of
easements and any other information that may be needed in order for the Department to act on
a
r
equest; and
(c) In considering a request for vegetative alterations, including the establishment of a view corridor, th
e
Department may take into account the predevelopment vegetation, natural openings, surrounding
vegetation patterns and density, previous vegetative alterations, slope, soil type, the locations and
extent of adjacent view corridors, the adjacent body of water and other information it deems
necessary and pertinent to the request; and
(d) The total cumulative view corridor shall not exceed fifty (50) feet or one-half (1/2) the lot width,
whichever is less; and
(e) The view corridor shall extend from the most lakeward side of the principle residence and continue to
the ordinary high water level of a public water body; and
(f) The total cumulative tree/shrub removal within any view corridor shall not exceed twenty five (25
)
p
ercent of the trees greater than five (5) inches in diameter four and one-half (4.5) feet above th
e
g
round (diameter breast height or DBH) and twenty five (25) percent of the trees/shrubs less than fiv
e
(5) inches DBH; and
(g) From the ordinary high water level, extending through the shore impact zone and extending to th
e
b
uilding setback, exclusive of the view corridor, no vegetative alterations are allowed, however
planting of trees, shrubs and other vegetation is encouraged; and
(h) From the building setback and extending to the landward end of the lot, up to twenty five (25) percent
of the trees greater than five (5) inches DBH and up to twenty five (25) percent of the trees/shrubs
less than five (5) inches DBH may be removed in accordance with a plan submitted to and approved
by the department; and
(i) Except Boxelder and Chinese Elm, the removal of exotic species such as European Buckthorn or
Purple Loosestrife or noxious species such as Poison Ivy or Prickly Ash is permitted; and
(j) The screening of structures, vehicles or other facilities as viewed from the water, assuming summer,
leaf-on conditions, shall not be substantially reduced; and
(k) The existing shading of water surfaces along the shoreline shall be preserved during summer, leaf-on
periods of the year.
C. The removal of exotic species such as European Buckthorn or Purple Loosestrife or noxious species such as Poison
Ivy or Prickly Ash shall no be considered to constitute an alteration of the vegetation.
D. Naturally dead or diseased trees may be removed regardless of their location on the property.
E. Application of fertilizer and pesticides in shoreland must be done in such a way as to minimize runoff into the shor
e
i
mpact zone or public water. The use of phosphorous containing fertilizer is prohibited within the shore impact
zone.
F. Burning of yard waste is prohibited within the shore and bluff impact zones or on steep slopes.
G. Planting of trees, shrubs, establishing vegetated buffers and maintaining vegetated shorelines is encouraged on
all
r
iparian lots within Stearns County as a method to minimize and mitigate the impacts of stormwater runoff, erosion
and nutrient enrichment on the County’s water resources.
