Oakdale council adopts changes to turf and boulevard vegetation rules
May 26, 2026 | City of Oakdale, Washington County, Minnesota
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The Oakdale City Council voted to adopt ordinance 963 on May 26, 2026, revising the city code that governs turf, grass and boulevard plantings.
Community Development Director Andrew Gzloff told the council the amendments include raising the allowable turf height from 6 to 8 (as described in the meeting materials), aligning the city with peer communities, and removing a separate city-staff review process so property owners who meet the ordinance standards may proceed without additional administrative review. Council discussion emphasized safety and sight-line concerns; council members said they wanted to preserve drivers’ and pedestrians’ visibility and balance private-property rights with environmental goals.
Gzloff also said the updated rules clarify boulevard plantings: excluding trees, boulevard plantings are limited in height (the transcript records the limit as “18 in in height”); the ordinance adds language allowing the city to remove obstructions or plantings for safety or maintenance reasons. A council member thanked staff and the Environmental Management Commission for their work on the changes.
The council moved, seconded and adopted ordinance 963. The council then adopted resolution 2026‑30 to authorize publication of ordinance 963 by title and summary.
The ordinance text and a redlined version were available in the meeting packet; councilors said the revisions reflect earlier workshops and input from multiple city departments.
Community Development Director Andrew Gzloff told the council the amendments include raising the allowable turf height from 6 to 8 (as described in the meeting materials), aligning the city with peer communities, and removing a separate city-staff review process so property owners who meet the ordinance standards may proceed without additional administrative review. Council discussion emphasized safety and sight-line concerns; council members said they wanted to preserve drivers’ and pedestrians’ visibility and balance private-property rights with environmental goals.
Gzloff also said the updated rules clarify boulevard plantings: excluding trees, boulevard plantings are limited in height (the transcript records the limit as “18 in in height”); the ordinance adds language allowing the city to remove obstructions or plantings for safety or maintenance reasons. A council member thanked staff and the Environmental Management Commission for their work on the changes.
The council moved, seconded and adopted ordinance 963. The council then adopted resolution 2026‑30 to authorize publication of ordinance 963 by title and summary.
The ordinance text and a redlined version were available in the meeting packet; councilors said the revisions reflect earlier workshops and input from multiple city departments.
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