City of Farmington

Background Information

County: Dakota
Population: 21,086
GreenStep City category: A

Full-time equivalent city staff (approx.): 146

Participating township(s) / school district(s):

GreenStep City resolution: Click here to view the file.
GreenStep City registration date: 05/23/2011
GreenStep City status and date: STEP 2 (06/10/2012)

GreenStep Coordinator

Lee Smick
City staff
lsmick@ci.farmington.mn.us
651-280-6820

City web page relating to sustainability/GreenStep activities:
http://www.ci.farmington.mn.us

Best Practice Actions Underway and Completed

Completed actions are denoted by stars. Mouse over a star for its definition.

Buildings and Lighting

Building Reuse
{ BP no. 5 }

Complete an historic resources survey of the city to determine which buildings are community assets and have more potential for reuse due to potential access to financial incentives.
Incorporate historic preservation-friendly language into the city’s zoning code and/or into regulatory ordinances (relating to signs and other design guidelines); adopt an historic preservation ordinance (which typically establishes an historic preservation commission); incentivize historic preservation.
Become a Certified Local Government (CLG) for historic preservation; pair rehab financial incentives with energy and resource conservation, indoor air quality and other green building practices.
Action 1: Adopt an historic preservation ordinance/regulations to encourage adaptive reuse. [Click here for self-reported city details Hide city details]

Date completed/entered: 03/14/2012

Implementation details:
The heritage preservation ordinance was approved on February 16, 1999 in order to preserve buildings in our city. It's purpose was to do the following: 1. The quality of significance in history, architecture, archeology, and culture is present in buildings, sites, structures, objects and districts that possess integrity of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling, and association, and: (a) That are associated with specific events or a pattern of events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our history; or (b) That are associated with the lives of persons or groups significant in our past; or (c) That embody the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction, or that represent the work of a master builder, or that possess high artistic values, or that represent a significant and distinguishable entity those components may lack individual distinction; or (d) That have yielded, or may be likely to yield, information important in prehistory or history. 2. The singular physical appearance, historic character or aesthetic value of an established or familiar feature of a neighborhood or community within the City. The ordinance is explained below: Discussion of the Heritage Preservation Commission's Duties and Powers, the designation of Heritage Landmarks; Design review of old and new buildings requesting permits; and the demolition of buildings over 50 years old.

Outcome measures/metrics:
An ordinance that requires the review of a building that is 50 years or older to be discussed before any demolition may occur. In those discussions, the determination of use, building restoration or rehabilitation is reviewed.

Descriptive links: http://sterlingcodifiers.com/codebook/index.php?book_id=463

For more information contact:
Lee Smick (City staff) | lsmick@ci.farmington.mn.us | 651-280-6820

Adopt design standards that address the downtown core and encourage compatible infill development.
Standards facilitate the evolution of strip/large format commercial areas into more livable/walkable neighborhoods with a mix of land use and including gathering places.
Limit annexations or infrastructure extensions until infill and redevelopment goals are met.
Action 5: Adopt development and design standards that facilitate infill and redevelopment. [Click here for self-reported city details Hide city details]

Land Use

Comprehensive Plan and Implementation
{ BP no. 6 }

Adopt a comprehensive plan that is less than ten years old (required for Category A cities) OR, Category B and C cities may simply adopt a land use plan that was adopted by a regional entity or the county less than 15 years ago OR they may adopt a city vision that looks at least 20 years into the future.
Include in your plan a sustainability section/chapter, or integrate sustainability goals and strategies into all chapters of your comprehensive plan. Report climate protection or energy independence goals and objectives under action 6.5
Adopt a development goal that new/infill projects generate enough tax revenue to pay for the related public infrastructure maintenance/replacement over multiple life cycles; reference a capital improvement plan that catalogues public system maintenance obligations by date and cost.
Action 1: Adopt/have an adopted comprehensive plan OR, Category B and C cities may simply adopt a land use plan that was adopted by a regional entity or the county. [Click here for self-reported city details Hide city details]

Document where in the zoning code or development regulation the comprehensive plan is referenced as a foundational document or that the purpose of the code is to implement the comprehensive plan.
Comprehensive plan referenced in all land use and development ordinances and regulations in addition to zoning code ordinances.
Individual ordinances or ordinance sections should be introduced with a "Purposes" section that includes language such as the following: "The XXX regulations specifically implement the following goals from the Comprehensive Plan: "
Action 2: Demonstrate that regulatory ordinances comply with the comprehensive plan including but not limited to having the zoning ordinance explicitly reference the comprehensive plan as the foundational document for decision making. [Click here for self-reported city details Hide city details]

Include plan requirements (in a comp plan or another planning document) on coordinated action with surrounding or overlapping jurisdictions for 6 of the 9 issues: land use, watershed/groundwater impacts, transportation, sewer and water, economic development, housing and foreclosures, police, fire, health.
Convene discussions or enter into agreements (joint service or others) with surrounding communities on at least 3 of these issues.
Jointly invest in infrastructure to avoid duplication or improve performance.
Action 3: Include requirements in comprehensive and/or other plans for intergovernmental coordination addressing land use and watershed impacts, infrastructure, economic development and city/regional services. [Click here for self-reported city details Hide city details]

Date completed/entered: 03/14/2012

Implementation details:
Intergovernmental coordination includes the following: Transportation - Dakota County and the City of Farmington work in close coordination concerning roadways in the City. The County is involved in reviewing plats along County Roads to ensure access spacing and traffic flows. Land Use - The City of Farmington has entered into orderly annexation agreement (Castle Rock and Empire Townships)for property adjacent to the City. Any property owner interested in applying for annexation with this area is allowed to do so without conflict with Castle Rock or Empire Townships. Watershed impacts - The City works with the Vermillion River Watershed and the DNR to ensure that water runoff and contaminants are regulated. Sewer and water - The City has worked with the City of Lakeville for sewer extension near Flagstaff Avenue. Sewer and water have been run to the Dakota County Fairgrounds through the City's systems. Fire - ALF Ambulance has had years of commitment between Apple Valley, Lakeville, and Farmington to service those areas. Health - The City of Farmington is working with Dakota County and the Health Department to discuss issues concerning the Active Living Campaign.

Outcome measures/metrics:
All of the above mentioned items make Farmington better. Looking beyond the boundaries of your city makes you feel apart of a whole community.

Descriptive links:

For more information contact:
Lee Smick (City staff) | lsmick@ci.farmington.mn.us | 651-280-6820

Efficient City Growth
{ BP no. 7 }

Use a process/ordinance (planned unit development or other) that allows increased density and approves development on substandard lots through flexible frontage and lot sizes; create a density bonus in one residential or commercial zoning district; allow accessory dwelling units in one single-family zoning district or overlay area.
Have a density bonus in multiple areas in the city; allow accessory dwelling units and/or co-housing developments in multiple single-family districts.
Create an additional density bonus linked to a transfer of development rights program that protects agricultural or natural resource land on the fringe of the urban area. Tie ADUs explicity into a plan for increasing affordable housing and/or reducing homelessness.
Action 2: Encourage higher density housing through at least two of the following strategies: [Click here for self-reported city details Hide city details]

a. Incorporate a flexible lot size/frontage requirement for infill development.

b. Use density and floor area ratio (FAR) bonuses in selected residential zoning districts.

c. Tie a regulatory standard to comprehensive plan language defining compact city expansion zones that limit low-density development.

d. Allowing accessory dwelling units or co-housing by right in selected zoning districts.

Mixed Uses
{ BP no. 8 }

Explain which attributes are met.
Parking spaces are significantly below the parking standard due to employees and visitors being able to access the location without always using a car.
A public school is located along a public transit line and provides incentives (such as discounted bus passes) for students to use the line.
Action 2: Locate or lease a school, city building or other government facility that has at least two of these attributes: [Click here for self-reported city details Hide city details]

a. Adjacent to an existing employment or residential center.

b. Designed to facilitate and encourage access by walking and biking.

c. Accessible by regular transit service.

Conservation Design
{ BP no. 10 }

Complete an NRI or NRA and adopt ordinance language that utilizes the findings in the inventory/assessment. Report individual tree replacement ordinances in best practice action 16.5
Create an incentive for conservation design in your zoning or subdivision ordinance, in which at least 50% of developable land is permanently protected, OR create a conservation design district that requires the use of conservation design practices, including permanent protection of high quality open space.
Create city-wide protections for natural systems/resources, such as mandatory natural resource design standards for priority natural resource and open space areas, or for rezonings of agricultural or other undeveloped land, require a finding of fact that undeveloped residential land in the city is insufficient to meet market demand.
Action 1: Conduct a Natural Resource Inventory or Assessment (NRI or NRA); incorporate protection of priority natural systems or resources through the subdivision or development process. [Click here for self-reported city details Hide city details]

Adopt woodland BMPs as performance standards within development regulation, protecting wooded areas during the development process (see Conserving Wooded Areas in Implementation Tools). This action is focused at the subdivision level and protection of tree stands (consistent with best practice action 6.4). Tree preservation ordinances should be reported under BP action 16.5
Identify high-value woodland areas within the community and adopt performance standards that maintain the natural system integrity of the woodland stands, supporting comprehensive plan action 6.4
Conduct an MLCCS natural resource inventory (consistent with action 1 of this best practice) and write natural resource design standards that protect woodland areas at the subdivision level, ensuring green corridor connections between individual stands or natural resources of different types.
Action 3: For cities within metropolitan areas, incorporate woodland best management practices addressing protection of wooded areas into zoning or development review. [Click here for self-reported city details Hide city details]

Transportation

Efficient City Fleets
{ BP no. 13 }

Monitor fuel usage and costs on a regular basis. Report data to fleet managers and users. Implement maintenance schedules that optimize vehicle life and fuel efficiency. And either adopt a no-idling policy/practice or conduct training for more efficient driving.
Achieve a 1-Star rating and complete one or more of: (a) purchase or lease at least one highway-usable electric vehicle (EV); (b) add vehicles using lower-carbon fuels (such straight vegetable oil and biodiesel above the State-mandated 5%); (c) add other alternative fuel vehicles.
Achieve a 2-Star rating, add at least 2 more EVs, and install a solar-charging EV station (or purchase renewable electricity for EV charging). Report EV charging stations that the public can use under best practice action 23.5.
Action 3: Phase-in no-idling practices, operational and fuel changes, and equipment changes including electric vehicles, for city or local transit fleets. [Click here for self-reported city details Hide city details]

Police patrols on bike, foot or horseback.
City inspectors or other staff on bike, foot or horseback.
Report outcome measures resulting from actions: decreased costs, reduced vehicle miles traveled, fleet reductions, or other metrics.
Action 4: Phase in bike, foot or horseback modes for police, inspectors and other city staff. [Click here for self-reported city details Hide city details]

Environmental Management

Purchasing
{ BP no. 15 }

Have a written policy/guidelines/practices specifying purchase of Energy Star equipment/appliances and recycled-content paper (at least 30% post-consumer).
Have a formal EPP policy adopted by the city council; note if this includes centralized purchasing into one office/person.
Track purchases of products/services coded with an environmental attribute through MN's Co-op Purchasing Venture ('state contract'), and summarize percent of yearly purchases that are coded; join with other cities in joint purchasing of EPP products and summarize EPP purchases.
Action 1: Adopt an environmentally preferable purchasing policy or administrative guidelines/practices directing that the city purchase at least: [Click here for self-reported city details Hide city details]

a. EnergyStar certified equipment and appliances and

b. Paper containing at least 30% post-consumer recycled content.

Urban Forests
{ BP no. 16 }

Certified for current year.
Certified for 30 or more years.
Certified for at least 10 years with an annual tree budget of at least $4 per resident (twice the Tree City requirement) or have calculated and publicized the financial and other benefits of trees to your city.
Action 1: Certify as a Tree City USA. [Click here for self-reported city details Hide city details]

Enact requirements such as a tree preservation/replacement ordinance. Report protection of wooded areas by means of zoning or development review under best practice action 10.3
Address tree preservaton on both public and private lands, OR enact requirements such as removing requirements to establish turf grass (this does not refer to removing maintenance standards for turf grass) and permitting native landscaping throughout the city.
Acheive 1 and 2 Star rating AND adopt a policy of no net loss of one or more specified natural landscapes (woodlands, wetlands, bluffs, prairie, etc.).
Action 5: Adopt a tree preservation or native landscaping ordinance. [Click here for self-reported city details Hide city details]

Efficient Stormwater Management
{ BP no. 17 }

Erosion and sediment control ordinance has been adopted and implemented. This is a permit requirement for regulated MS4 permittees.
Erosion sediment control ordinance must be followed for sites smaller than one acre.
Annual on-site inspections of all land-disturbing activities are performed by the city.
Action 6: Adopt an ordinance with erosion and sediment control provisions as well as requirements for permanent stormwater treatment. [Click here for self-reported city details Hide city details]

Parks and Trails
{ BP no. 18 }

Remedy at least one connectivity break by, for example, completing a missing trail section, acquiring a high quality natural area, a priority stormwater management area, vacant space in a high amentiy/redevelopment area, a rail corridor. Report remedies for street-to-trail gaps (between city streets and off-road trails/bike trails) under best practice action 11.5.
Remedy at least 3 connectivity breaks.
Remedy at least 75% of gaps and prepare a plan for remedies to address the remaining gaps.
Action 1: Identify and remedy gaps within your city's system of parks, offroad trails and open spaces. [Click here for self-reported city details Hide city details]

Have in the city's subdivision chapter code language requiring dedication of open spaces, parks, and drainage easements or, in lieu of that, cash with each new subdivision.
Create and adopt a conceptual parks and green connections plan for greenfield areas having or planned to have urban services or redevelopment areas; integrate into existing Park/Open Space/Trail Plan if one is in place.
Achieve 2 star rating AND require demonstration of bike/ped trail connections for all new housing to existing trail network as part of the subdivision submittal.
Action 2: Plan and budget for a network of parks, green spaces, water features and trails for areas where new development is planned. [Click here for self-reported city details Hide city details]

There exist at least 7 acres of municipal park land per 1000 residents.
At least 20% of total city land area is in protected green infrastructure (parks and protected natural resource areas and trails).
90% or more of residents are within one-half mile of a park or protected green space.
Action 3: Achieve minimum levels of city greenspace. [Click here for self-reported city details Hide city details]

Surface Water Quality
{ BP no. 19 }

Have shoreland standards within development regulation or a stand-alone shoreland ordinance consistent with DNR Rules and approved by the DNR.
Adopt the Alternative Shoreland Standards or similar alternatives reviewed and consistent with recommendations of the DNR Area hydrologist that exceed the minimum standards of the DNR shoreland rules.
Achieve 2 Star rating and include one or both of: (1) a menu of mitigation measures, one or more of which to be attached to shoreland variances ; (2) provisions for restoration of shore impact area and vegetative buffer with permanent protection for all new shoreland development.
Action 4: Adopt a shoreland ordinance for all river and lake shoreland areas. [Click here for self-reported city details Hide city details]

Solid Waste Reduction
{ BP no. 22 }

Require organized collection of residential recyclables, OR publish hauler rates on the city's web site and require waste/recyclables tonnage reports as a condition of licensing, OR assist residents on a percentage of city blocks to arrange for at least 75% of the houses to contract with the same hauler. Report compostables collection under action 22.5
Report the city recycling rate AND either mandate collection of recyclables from multi-unit residential buildings OR mandate collection of 3 or more recyclable materials from commercial entities.
Organize solid waste collection; note estimated cost savings to residents and from decreased truck traffic. Also note if there is a opt-out measure for residents who wish to select their own hauler.
Action 6: Implement one or more city-wide solid waste collection/recycling systems: [Click here for self-reported city details Hide city details]

a. Mandate collection of recyclables from multi-unit residential buildings.

b. Mandate collection of 3 or more recyclable materials from commercial entities.

c. Organize regular, ongoing residential solid waste collection by private and/or public operations to link one (or more) geographic district(s) to only one hauler.

For cities that provide direct or contract waste collection services, set the price differences large enough so as to increase recycling/composting but not illegal dumping, OR provide a financial or other incentive (such as a larger container) for recycling.
The price differential should change by a minimum of 80% when a garbage container doubles in size or when collection frequency doubles.
Achieve a 50% recycling rate and a 10% composting rate by 2012. Document participation rates including percent of households using smaller garbage bins.
Action 7: Offer significant volume-based pricing on residential garbage and/or incentives for recycling. [Click here for self-reported city details Hide city details]

Economic and Community Development

Local Food
{ BP no. 27 }

Summarize what exists in the city: farmer's markets, community/school gardens/orchards/forests, garden plots in city parks, urban agriculture, CSAs, co-op buying clubs.
Report on steps such as free use of city land for a farmer's market, hiring a temporary community garden coordinator, supporting season extension techniques such as hoop houses or greenhouses.
Report on percent of residents within a 1/4 mile of a healthy food source (farmer's market, community garden, CSA drop point, stores with an NAICS code of 445110 or 455230).
Action 3: Inventory and promote local food production/distribution within the city: [Click here for self-reported city details Hide city details]

a. A farmer's market or co-op buying club.

b. An urban agriculture business or a community-supported agriculture (CSA) arrangement between farmers and community members/employees.

c. A community or school garden, orchard or forest.