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1. When and why are hydrants flushed?

All hydrants are flushed in the spring to ensure that water lines are working properly, and to remove iron deposits from the lines. Hydrant flushing occurs after the first street sweeping operation in order to minimize the amount of winter salt and sand that is washed into the storm sewer system.

2. I just moved into a newly-built home and there is standing water in my yard. Who is responsible for fixing it?

Although a City representative performs a final grade inspection for each new home to ensure compliance with the approved grading plan for the development, the City is not responsible for landscaping or other changes made by the builder or homeowner after the inspection has been completed. All grading issues should be directed to the home builder.

3. My property is adjacent to a storm water pond and I don’t like all the tall grass and wildflowers surrounding it. Can I mow it down and do my own landscaping?

These areas around storm water ponds are intended to have a natural landscape that serves several important purposes:

• The vegetation provides a layer of protection for the water, consuming harmful nutrients (such as fertilizer runoff) before they reach the water surface and contribute to algae formation.
  
• The vegetation prevents erosion from compromising the slopes of the pond.
  
• The vegetation creates a uniform landscape along the sides of the pond, providing an aesthetic amenity for the neighborhood.
  
• The vegetation provides a natural habitat shelter for waterfowl.

For these reasons, property owners are encouraged to leave the buffers around storm ponds in their natural state.

4. Do I need a permit for a new driveway? Can I make my driveway wider at the street?

You do NOT need a permit if you are simply re-surfacing or replacing your existing driveway. You DO need a permit if you are making your driveway bigger in any way. The maximum width for a driveway is 22 feet at the right-of-way for residential, 32 feet at the right-of-way for commercial.

5. Is it OK to dig in my yard to plant trees and shrubs?

Before you dig, call Gopher State One Call at (651) 454-0002. They will arrange for utility companies to mark the buried utility lines in your yard. It’s a free call, and it could save your life. Please call 48 hours in advance of digging. Also, you should review your property survey to determine the location of easements on your property. Depending on the type of easement, there may be restrictions on improvements that can be made in the easement.

6. Are there any restrictions on what types of trees I can plant, or where I can plant them?

While the City appreciates and values the aesthetic benefit that trees provide, it is strongly recommended to avoid planting trees along the boulevards (the area between the curb and the sidewalk), or within the right-of-way (generally 30 feet in each direction from the center of the street). 

Trees planted in the right-of-way cause numerous problems such as:

• reduced visibility for motorists and pedestrians 
• structural damage to streets, sidewalks, bike paths, and underground utilities 
• excessive leaf shedding in the fall, creating hazardous slippery conditions

The City reserves the right to trim or remove trees in the right-of-way that are obstructing signs or causing hazardous conditions for pedestrians or vehicles. As a general rule, all trees should be planted at least 20 feet from the edge of the curb and outside the public right-of-way or any public easements. In addition, care should be taken to plant at least 15 feet from any existing structure (sidewalk, driveway, house, hydrant, power lines, water shut-off valve, etc.) in order to avoid costly damage from heaving roots. These distances are minimums; the more clearance provided, the less likely it is that future problems or conflicts will develop. 

The following is a list of acceptable trees from the City’s landscape ordinance: 

• Black cherry 
• Cedar 
• Fir 
• Hickory
• Linden 
• Maple (except Silver Maple)
• Oak
• Pine 
• Spruce 
• Walnut

Due to their large root structure, insect problems, and/or susceptibility to storm damage, the City strongly discourages the planting of the following trees in yards: 

• Silver Maple 
• Box Elder 
• Russian Olive 
• Poplar species 
• Willow 
• Ash