This page is currently under construction.
This page contains examples showing how concepts from low salt design have been integrated in planning and design projects and policies in Minnesota.
City of Hopkins, MN
In April 2025, the City of Hopkins, MN approved an amendment to the City Code establishing a new Sustainable Building Policy. Under this new policy, the developed a factsheet for developers summarizing low salt design concepts.
City of Hopkins, Low Salt Design Factsheet for Developers.
City of New Brighton, MN
The City of New Brighton, MN changed City requirements for parking lot islands after considering low salt design as well as other factors. The requirement for parking lot islands may be waived if the parking lot design achieves all of the following (City of New Brighton, Code, item 11-010. General Requirements, 7.B, 2024):
- Consolidates landscape and stormwater management areas into large medians
- Demonstrates adequate traffic calming
- Implements design techniques for using less salt in winter conditions Section 11-020 (13)
- Medians can function as adequate snow storage as part of a snow storage plan
The city also incorporated other Low Salt Design such as requiring trees planted on the south side or within the parking areas to be deciduous to improve sunlight reaching pavement in the winter, and snow and snowmelt management.