CARSTAIRS – The Town of Carstairs' council has approved a new landscaping policy for the municipality which outlines the requirements for developers and contractors for subdivision servicing standard specifications.
The move came by way of motion at a recent, regularly-scheduled council meeting. The policy applies to developers and/or contractors working in the municipality.
The policy outlines requirements for developments in town, including regarding top soil and tree planting. The requirements include the following:
• The ratio of deciduous to coniferous trees shall be 3 to 1. Poplar trees will not be permitted. The type of trees and shrubs selected shall be town approved trees.
• Minimum 15 to maximum 25 trees per acre (.405 ha). Minimum 20 to maximum 30 shrubs per acre (.405 ha) in a regional, district and community park.
• Minimum 25 to maximum 40 trees per acre (.405 ha). Minimum 20 to maximum 60 shrubs per acre (.405) in neighbourhood parks.
• Trees and shrubs shall be planted in bed islands, with 100 miliimetres (mm) minimum to a maximum of 150 mm of bark mulch without edging for ease of grass cutting.
• Individually planted trees in the parks are to have mulch to the edge of the drip line of the tree.
• The total number of trees planted in any park or landscape area is per each phase of development for subdivisions and must conform to the following: minimum 30 per cent maximum 50 per cent coniferous. No more than 50 per cent of either spruce, pine or larch. Maximum 50 per cent of any one species.
• Minimum of five different species. Any changes to the tree planting ratio or species number will need to be reviewed by the Town of Carstairs for approval.
The complete Policy No. 61-002-25 is available for viewing on the town’s website.
