HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemo - Mail Packet - 7/18/2023 - Memorandum Kathryne Marko And Katie Collins Re: Council Priorities Update: Additional Details For Soil Amendment Inspections And Artificial Turf
Utilities
electric · stormwater · wastewater · water
PO Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522
970.212.2900
V/TDD: Dial 711 for Relay Colorado
utilities@fcgov.com
fcgov.com/utilities
M E M O R A N D U M
DATE: June 27, 2023
TO: Mayor Arndt and Councilmembers
THROUGH: Kelly DiMartino, City Manager
Gretchen Stanford, Utilities Deputy Director, Customer Connections
Jason Graham, Director of Water Utilities
FROM: Kathryne Marko, Environmental Regulatory Affairs Manager
Katie Collins, Water Conservation Specialist
RE: Council Priorities Update: Additional Details for Soil Amendment
Inspections and Artificial Turf
Bottom Line
The purpose of this memo is to provide additional background for the current and proposed soil amendment
compliance program and the proposed restriction of artificial turf on all new development. These topics
relate to a larger code update project that originated from two City Council priorities:
14. Effective soil amendment policies and compliance (water usage)
19. Xeriscape – Increase rebates and education, less green lawns with new development
Background
On November 21, 2023, Council will consider adoption of landscape-related codes, that promote water
conservation, stormwater quality, and resilient urban landscapes. Staff will present a preview of the
ordinance to discuss final direction of the proposal at the October 10, 2023 Council Work Session. The
package of proposals will include artificial turf and soil amendment standards as well as standards related
to general soil health, limits on irrigated grass, irrigation efficiency, and tree canopy protections. These
items were discussed at the January 10, 2023 Council work session. Up to date details for these other
proposals may be found in the most recent Council Priority Update.
Soil Amendment
The Soil Amendment Program is currently implemented via an administrative review process using site
knowledge gained from other required field inspections for erosion control. The ability to resource and
scale-up soil amendment inspections from an administrative review process to onsite inspections is
dependent on numerous variables, including availability, existing workload, and timing of soil amendment
submittals. A qualitative analysis of different scalability options is provided in this memo; this initial
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evaluation indicates that to increase inspections with any significance, additional staffing/funding would be
needed.
Soil amendment information is provided to address two questions from the January 10, 2023, Work Session:
Land Use Code Changes to Address Xeriscape and Soil Amendment:
How does the city enforce current soil amendment code?
Resource analysis to scale up soil amendment inspections
Enforcement of Current Soil Amendment Program
The Soil Amendment Program is run through the Environmental Regulatory Affairs (ERA) Erosion
Program staff. Staff consists of three FTE’s – Two Senior Inspectors and one Senior Specialist. The core
function of this work group is to manage the City’s Erosion Control Program which is mandated by the
City’s Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Permit. Typically, construction sites that disturb
over 10,000 ft2 are inspected every two weeks during active construction for adequate erosion control. The
following table is an overview of the activities performed by the Erosion Program staff.
Activity 2022 Statistics
Soil Amendment Certifications 350 Soil Certifications
127 Temporary Waivers
Soil Amendment Site Inspections <10 sites
Development Review 566 Projects
Erosion Control Inspections 170 sites
2115 routine inspections
Permanent Stormwater Quality Feature
Inspections (SWQF)
58 sites
67 SWQF Inspections
Vegetation / Site Stabilization Inspections 65 sites
283 Vegetation Inspections
Other Responsibilities Spill response
Fugitive dust complaints
Construction site complaints
Erosion enforcement
The review and approval process consists of reviewing a certification form along with amendment receipts.
During winter, when soil conditions do not allow for tilling, a temporary waiver is issued and staff tracks
completion of the soil amendment the following Spring. In most cases, knowledge of the site from erosion
control inspections feeds into review of the soil amendment certification review. Soil amendment
verification site inspections are performed based on indicators such as:
Delivery dates not consistent with certification date
No Area to Amend Certification
New compost supplier
Inconsistent ratio of cubic yards to lot size (3 yds / 1,000 SF)
Timing of soil amendment not consistent with phase of construction
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If field verification determines soil amendment was not consistent with the requirements, staff will not sign
off for a Certificate of Occupancy (CO). If a CO has been issued, as is the case for Temporary Waivers,
other building permits can be put on hold.
Resource Analysis to Scale Up Soil Amendment Inspections
Qualitative analysis for scaling up soil amendment inspections is summarized in the following table.
Inspection Type Considerations/Limitations Feasibility/Needs
Investigative
Inspect if indicators
of deficiencies
Solely reactive, based on indicators Status Quo
Sporadic
Inspect as time allows
Likely would not occur during busy
construction season
Without additional resources, a
significant increase would not be
likely with the existing workload.
Seasonal
Focus inspections
during busy
landscape season
Increase existing staff time for hiring
and/or training.
Likely based on grouping of submittals
and available staff time.
Additional resources/funding
needed.
Consider the use of temporary
hourly employees or consultant
Percentage
Inspect a certain
percentage of sites
Likely based on grouping of submittals
and available staff time.
Additional resources/funding is
needed to ensure consistent
coverage.
Resource and funding needs
dependent on percentage.
Full with adjusted
thresholds
Inspect all except
Single Family
Residential (SFR)
landscape renovations
SFR landscape renovations currently do
not get permitted and survey results show
existing homeowners do amend soil.
Could evaluate other thresholds
Need higher additional
resources/funding to ensure
consistent coverage.
Full
Inspect all vegetated
landscape projects
Requires significant process changes to
add SFR landscape renovations to permit
and inspection procedures.
Highest increase of additional
resources/funding needed to address
both inspections and process change
for SFR.
To conduct a full evaluation of selected alternatives, the following topics will need to be considered for a
sustainable soil amendment inspection program:
Timing of certification submittal related to when soil amendments occur and/or when CO is requested
and staff’s availability to perform a site inspection on short notice.
Staffing to ensure consistent coverage for all work and avoid conflicting priorities with other
regulatory permit requirements, while also considering coverage for all work throughout vacations, sick
leave, and seasonal workload changes. Staffing considerations may also include use of 3rd Party
consultants.
Software improvements can help with efficiency and documentation. Both new and expanded
capabilities of current systems are being explored, some being part of the City’s digital transformation
efforts.
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Consider results from the Assessment of Compliance with Local Environmental Policy project
which will evaluate how various city workgroups address compliance with local environmental policy
and provide recommendations to improve our approach.
Artificial Turf
Current Policy in Land Use Code
Land Use Code 3.2.1 restricts the use of artificial plants as a “Landscape Area Treatment.” Except for
single-family detached dwellings, all development and building permit applications are subject to review
by this standard. Historically, a few projects have been approved for artificial turf installation given that the
area proposed for installation was not considered landscape area by the code’s definition.
During the “Land Use Code Changes” discussion at the January 10, 2023, work session, Council responded
to a proposal that would have allowed the use of artificial turf in the city by exception if installed to high -
standard specifications. Council overwhelmingly opposed the proposal, preferring not to allow artificial
turf in Fort Collins.
While the benefits of artificial turf can include reduced water use, maintenance and chemical inputs, a
growing body of research suggests the negative impacts of artificial turf to human health and the
environment may outweigh the benefits. Potential risks include chemical exposures and contamination from
the materials themselves, such as the release of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (known as PFAS) and
carcinogens, and non-chemical impacts such as increased heat and heat island and waste-stream
implications.
Proposed Policy Changes in Land Use Code
On November 21, Council will consider an ordinance that clearly restricts the use and installation of
artificial turf on all new development and major redevelopment including non-residential and multi-family
properties and single-family residential front yards. The artificial turf restriction ordinance will be packaged
with additional landscape standards.
Impact
The restriction of artificial turf on single-family residential front yards will require review of landscape
plans for new single-family residential development, a process that does not currently exist. This process
would also serve the other landscape standards discussed at the January 10 work session for new single-
family residential properties. The added review willimpact the development review process and require
additional staffing needs, which are being considered and will be discussed further during the October 10,
2023 Council Work Session. There will be an impact on owners challenged with finding suitable
alternatives for high-traffic, low-water ground cover. Staff will continue to engage with landscape
professionals and the community to identify and promote suitable alternatives.
Attachments
January 10 Council Work Session Materials
cc: Kendall Minor, Utilities Executive Director
Jill Oropeza, Sr. Director, Integrated Sciences & Planning
Mariel Miller, Water Conservation Manager
Eric Potyondy, Assistant City Attorney
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City Council Work Session Agenda Item Summary – City of Fort Collins Page 1 of 8
January 10, 2023
WORK SESSION AGENDA
ITEM SUMMARY
City Council
STAFF
Katie Collins, Water Conservation Specialist
Danielle Reimanis, Water Conservation Specialist
Mariel Miller, Water Conservation Manager
Gretchen Stanford, Deputy Director, Utilities Customer Connections
SUBJECT FOR DISCUSSION
Land Use Code Changes to Address Xeriscape for New Developments and Soil Amendment for
New and Existing Developments.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The purpose of this item is to provide an overview of the current state of landscapes and irrigation in
Fort Collins, and to present four code change opportunities that promote climate-appropriate
landscapes and use of soil amendment.
GENERAL DIRECTION SOUGHT AND SPECIFIC QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED
1. What general questions or feedback does Council have on the proposed direction? What additional
information is needed?
2. Which of these Xeriscape and Soil Amendment opportunities does Council support moving forward?
Which turf maximum option do you support, if any?
BACKGROUND / DISCUSSION
Current Fort Collins landscapes and water use
· Outdoor use accounts for 40% of all water use in Fort Collins. 60-70% of all water use during
summer months is applied to Fort Collins landscapes. Annually, about 40,000 gallons of water
are applied to the average residential landscape. Irrigation is required for landscapes in Fort
Collins because the average annual precipitation of 9 gallons per square foot – most of which
falls outside of the growing season – does not support the typical, high-water-demand landscape.
· Most maintained landscapes in Fort Collins contain Kentucky bluegrass, a plant that has
historically been used, and sometimes required, for its aesthetic benefits and for high-use
settings, where it fares better than some alternative landscapes. However, most areas of
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bluegrass serve little to no function, other than aesthetics, especially on commercial properties
and in residential front yards.
· There is a tradeoff between the benefits and the high water demands of bluegrass; it requires 18
gallons of water per square foot in a growing season to remain healthy, which means at least 9
more gallons per square foot than the average precipitation in Fort Collins. Projected climate
change would increase bluegrass water demands even further.
What is Xeriscape?
The word xeriscape refers to principles for sustainable landscape design. The Seven Principles of
Xeriscape are:
1. Plan with users and water in mind. Group plants with similar water requirements to avoid
overwatering some and underwatering others.
2. Improve the soil to absorb water more quickly and support plant health.
3. Irrigate efficiently by using high-efficiency equipment and managing water appropriately to avoid
overwatering.
4. Use turf wisely by locating it in areas where it will be used and considering low- or no-water
alternatives that add function and aesthetic in the rest of the landscape.
5. Select appropriate plants that are well-adapted to our region and climate.
6. Mulch to reduce evaporation and control weeds.
7. Maintain the landscape by mitigating weed growth, checking the irrigation system regularly for
needed repairs and pruning plants for health.
The word xeriscape has developed a bad reputation over the years. The word xeriscapes often evokes
images of “zeroscapes,” landscaped areas devoid of life. It is important to note that xeriscape is not a
specific look or plant palette, and it is not replacing living landscapes with rock. It is for these reasons
that the terms water-wise, low-water, and Coloradoscape are often used interchangeably with xeriscape
to describe resilient, climate-appropriate landscapes.
Why soil amendment?
As mentioned in the Seven Principles of Xeriscape, improving soil contributes to better outcomes in
landscapes. Much of the soil in Fort Collins is clay, which is made up of small particles that easily
compact, making it difficult for plant roots to absorb water. One way to increase the volume of water
available to plants, mitigate compaction, and improve soil structure is to incorporate soil amendment.
Improving soil structure also increases the rate at which water is absorbed, resulting in less runoff during
irrigation events.
Current xeriscape and soil amendment support in Fort Collins
The City of Fort Collins supports sustainable landscapes through a variety of ways (more information
about current offerings can be found in the Council memo dated March 28, 2022, titled “Xeriscape and
Soil Amendment Council Priorities Update.”):
· Utilities’ Water Conservation Department programs, services and educational opportunities,
including the Xeriscape Incentive Program (XIP)
· Soil amendment inspection program (Table 1)
· Gardens on Spring Creek
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Table 1. Soil Amendment Certificates Issued Since 2017
Type Count
Soil Certificates 2,699
Temporary Soil Certificate 885
Why consider xeriscape and soil amendment code updates?
Since 2016, Utilities has incentivized 390 residential and 25 commercial landscape retrofits that
converted from bluegrass to xeriscape. (Table 2) While the volume of retrofits grows year over year, it is
significantly easier and less wasteful to build water-wise landscapes from the start. New development
standards must be addressed, especially scenarios where bluegrass is required. Addressing new
developments and associated landscape standards with appropriate codes, while incentivizing existing
developments to convert to water-wise is a best practice.
Table 2. Year to Date Xeriscape Incentive Program Results
Property type Number of turf
replacement project
rebates issued
Total area converted
from grass to
xeriscape (square
feet)
Estimated ongoing
annual water savings
(gallons)
Residential (since
2016)
390 (94 in 2022) 462,899 2,777,394
Commercial (since
2020)
25 694,229 5,424,985
Challenges in the Colorado River Basin point to an increasingly water-scarce future. Without significant
changes in landscaping code, outdoor water use is likely to increase over the coming decades as water
users strive to maintain high-water landscapes in an increasingly hotter climate and longer growing
season. Landscapes planned and installed with the changing climate in mind, such as those designed
around the Seven Principles of Xeriscape, can be far more water efficient without compromising function
and appearance. Landscapes built with resilience will not require resource-intensive landscape
conversions to survive hotter, drier summers. Codes that reduce water use by promoting landscape best
practices and limiting turfgrass will serve our community well into the future.
Not only do the proposed codes updates promote best practices, they also align with the following plans
and objectives:
· Current City Council priorities 14 and 19
· City Plan – Neighborhood Livability and Environmental Health Principles
· City Strategic Objective Environmental Health 4.4 – Provide a resilient, reliable and high-quality
water supply
· Water Efficiency Plan and development of that plan’s forthcoming update (anticipated in 2024)
· Our Climate Future Big Move 3 with the goal of increasing resilience for climate change impacts
Four Code Opportunities
Four code opportunities to advance xeriscape and soil amendment are outlined below. Research that
informed these choices included a best practice report developed by a consultant, conversations with
other communities, a water savings analysis, and engagement with stakeholders and the public.
A public survey that was sent out in August 2022 to gauge perception of xeriscape and soil amendment
topics in Fort Collins gathered 929 unique responses and over 5,800 comments. 21 local stakeholder
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groups, including City departments, attended focused conversations with staff. More public engagement
results are shared in the attachment.
In addition to having conversations with external stakeholders, the project team engaged several City
departments in consideration of their goals. For example, trees, animals and humans rely on irrigated
landscapes for health, habitat and recreation, so the team engaged in discussions with Forestry, Nature
in the City, Parks and Park Planning to develop balanced proposals.
Each opportunity described below lists benefits, challenges and resource needs identified to date.
Additional cost and water savings analyses are ongoing, including evaluation of the cost impact to
housing, and will be presented to Council prior to first reading.
Opportunity 1. Less turf in new development and redevelopment
Description A proposal to limit turf on all new development and redevelopment projects on
residential and commercial properties. Staff have put together three options for
each property type for consideration. Regardless of options selected, staff
proposes a 50% plant coverage requirement for the total landscape on a
property. Options are detailed in Table 3.
Current
state
- Commercial properties must meet an average of 15 gallons per square
foot per year (gpsf) which limits the wall-to-wall installation of 18 gpsf
turfgrass.
- Residential properties do not have turf limitations or landscape
standards.
Benefits - Restricting the area of high-water turf types allowed on a property
reduces landscape water requirement and increases resilience.
- Reducing turf area while maintaining a plant coverage minimum
requirement supports habitat, species diversity, nature connectivity and
landscape cooling benefits.
- Water savings potential varies from option to option. Refer to Table 3.
Challenges - The maintenance requirements of non-turf landscapes are different and
can be more expensive, time-intensive and skilled.
- Initial installation of landscapes with less turf may be more costly.
- Concerns about cost impact to affordable housing.
- As more landscapes move to less turf, tree health and irrigation must
be considered (See Opportunity 3. C. below)
- Understanding if a 10,000 square foot limit provides enough space for
large HOA common spaces.
Resource
needs
- Landscape inspector staff to review landscape plans and installations.
- More education opportunities and avenues to teach appropriate
watering and care of landscapes with less turf.
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Table 3. Turf limit options for residential, commercial properties Description –
maximum
percentage,
area limit
Estimated
annual
water
need, front
yard only
Gallons per
square foot
(gpsf)
Estimated
total
outdoor
water use
/ % total
household
water use
Annual
outdoor
water
cost
savings
to the
customer
Estimated
annual water
savings in
million
gallons (MG)
at GMA
buildout* Residential new development – front yard turf limitations including parkway area Existing 18,000 gal 18 42,200 /
51%
- 0
Option A
50% max. turf
12,500 gal 12.5 36,700 /
47%
$17 49 MG
Option B
30% max. turf
10,600 gal 11 34,800 /
46%
$23 67 MG
Option C
no turf
7,750 gal 8 31,950 /
44%
$32 92 MG
Residential assumptions and considerations:
- Front yard area approximately 1,000 sq ft. Average annual household use 83,000 gal.
- Developers to provide typical design options for front yard landscaping (“typicals”),
requiring that one option has zero turf.
- Front yards would require 50% plant coverage at maturity.
- *9,000 infill and greenfield homes estimated at full GMA buildout, assumes similar
front yard size continues.
Description –
maximum
percentage,
area limit
Estimated
range
annual
water need
Gallons per
square foot,
range
depending
on property
size (gpsf)
% savings
compared
to existing
Annual
outdoor
water
cost
savings
to the
customer
Estimated
annual water
savings in
million
gallons (MG)
at GMA
buildout* Commercial new development and major redevelopment Existing
60% max. turf
21,000 –
950,000
gal/year
15 0% $0 0
Option A
60% max turf
10,000 sf limit
21,000 –
720,000
gal/year
11 - 15 22% $0 - $643 29 MG
Option B
30% max turf
10,000 sf limit
14,500 –
560,000
gal/year
9 - 10 40% $20 -
$1,100
53 MG
Option C
15% max turf
10,000 sf limit
12,000 –
555,000
gal/year
9 42% $30 -
$1,300
55 MG
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Commercial assumptions and considerations:
- Landscape area per dwelling unit based on average existing small, medium and large
property sizes.
- 20% of property is landscaped/irrigated
- *21,000 infill and greenfield multi-family dwelling units estimated at full GMA buildout;
assumes similar landscape size continues.
- Average cost savings to the customer assumes tap sizes suitable for small, medium
and large properties. Based on Utilities 2022 water rates.
Opportunity 2. Allow synthetic turf in some scenarios (Staff had not originally intended to
look at synthetic turf as an option. In response to the question “Do you think artificial turf
should be allowed in Fort Collins?”, 615 out of 862 responses answered “yes, to some
degree,” which prompted staff exploration of the topic.)
Description A proposal to allow synthetic turf in certain scenarios on residential and
commercial projects by applying for an exception or permit subject to review
and design specifications. Installations of synthetic turf would require dedicated
irrigation to trees.
Current
state
According to Land Use Code Section 3.2.1, artificial plants, including synthetic
turf, are not allowed in landscapes within City limits. A few commercial
exceptions have been approved for areas with year-round heavy foot traffic.
Benefits - Provides owners an opportunity for synthetic turf to be considered
- Encourages smart installation of synthetic turf and gives the city an
opportunity to review for high quality installations
- Considers the health of trees
- Potential for water savings
Challenges - Loss of habitat compared to live plant material
- Loss of species diversity
- Turf sports fields have an average lifespan of eight years and have
limited options for recyclability. Installations that receive less traffic than
sports fields likely have a longer lifespan.
- Some research to suggest microplastic pollution
- Contributes to heat island; surface temperatures can reach 20-50
degrees Fahrenheit higher than natural grass.
- Enforcement of the process and of properties out of compliance
- Need for sanitation and cooling of synthetic turf requires some water
use.
Resource
needs
- Staff time for design review, code enforcement
- Development of design specifications to ensure recyclable, high-quality
products are installed
Water
savings
potential
Unknown how much water is needed for synthetic turf. The Synthetic Turf
Council suggests maintaining an irrigation system for sanitation and cooling
purposes.
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Opportunity 3. Additional irrigation standards and residential equipment efficiency
Description Four irrigation standards are packaged within this opportunity:
A. Restricted daytime overhead watering between the hours of 10 a.m.
and 6 p.m. Temporary daytime watering may be allowed in some
scenarios, such as sod and seed establishment, with a permit.
B. No overhead irrigation in areas less than six feet wide. This guideline
would require an update to City of Fort Collins Streetscape Standards.
C. Require dedicated automatic irrigation to trees.
D. Extend high-efficiency equipment and design standards to all property
types, including residential.
Current
state
- Restricted daytime watering is a tool in the Water Shortage Action Plan
(A.).
- Streetscape Standards call out turf grass as an option for parkway
plantings (B.).
- Code requires high-efficiency irrigation equipment on commercial new
and redevelopment, but not on residential development (D.).
Benefits - Due to lower temperatures, less evapotranspiration happens overnight,
so more water is absorbed and stored in soil and plants (A.)
- Limiting overhead irrigation in narrow strips reduces the overspray that
ends up on sidewalks and streets. Water savings are likely, especially if
the amount of turf in those areas is also limited by this standard (B.).
- Irrigation to trees is a safety net for trees in times of water shortage
(C.).
- Local projects that upgraded irrigation from basic to efficient equipment
have shown significant water reduction, some close to 30% (D.)
Challenges - Large properties may not have enough time overnight to water all
irrigation zones. Exceptions may need to be considered (A.).
- Finding low-maintenance parkway options that aren’t grass (B.).
- Cost difference for equipment (C., D.)
Resource
needs
- Staffing for design review, code enforcement, delivering educational
resources for efficient watering practices
Opportunity 4. Increase flexibility in soil amendment policy
Description A proposal to update code related to soil amendment to allow for: exceptions
based on locations not suited for soil amendment or disturbance (i.e. riparian
areas); temporary waivers for reasons related to planting times, schedules and
availability of labor; flexibility to adjust amendment amounts based on soil test
results; and alternatives to tilling. Staff also proposes to establish a minimum
area threshold for notarized soil amendment certificates.
Current
state
- Requires tilling or mixing three cubic yards of amendment per 1,000
square feet.
- Regardless of property type or project size, a notarized soil certificate is
required.
Benefits - In general, proper soil preparation prior to planting promotes deeper
root growth, reduces the need for frequent irrigation events, and
increases the rate water is absorbed into the soil.
- Added flexibility in the code reduces burden for customers and Utilities
staff and allows for better planting and soil health practices.
- Adopting a minimum area threshold removes a barrier by which few
owners abide and releases staff from enforcement on small-scale
projects.
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Challenges - Perception that increases in flexibility will result in poor landscape
installations.
Resource
needs
- Soil amendment education campaign for homeowners and landscape
contractors.
- Soil test and test result resources.
Additional
note
900 responses to questions about soil amendment show City and community
values align around soil health and soil amendment. 71% stated that they
sometimes or always use soil amendment regardless of whether they knew
about the city’s soil amendment ordinance.
Additional considerations
A shift in culture around landscapes and outdoor water use is critical to reduce water use in Fort Collins.
This work will not be successful without cooperation from the community. Adoption and enforcement of
code is unlikely to have an impact if the behavior of water users remains the same. Codes may serve to
define efficient design and equipment but even the most efficient irrigation system can be scheduled to
apply too much water. Staff is committed to the continuous development, implementation and evaluation
of water efficiency programs and campaigns that educate residents and businesses on efficient practices
and behavior change and message the importance of a conservation ethic.
NEXT STEPS
- Identify and develop resources needed for success. For these changes to be successful, staff
and the community need to be prepared. Educational resources and campaigns, cross-
departmental collaboration and exploring additional incentive opportunities for customers are just
a few of the many resource needs.
- Align with Land Use Code and Water Efficiency Plan updates. Major updates of these guiding
documents calls for close collaboration with staff to guarantee alignment.
- Code development and adoption. With feedback from Council, Boards and Commissions,
stakeholders, and the public, the project team will continue to hone these opportunities and the
associated costs and water savings. First reading of an ordinance to updated codes for new
development can be anticipated in Q3 2023.
- Continue to support and promote the conversion of existing landscapes to xeriscape.
o Minimize barriers to participation in XIP where feasible, which could include reviewing the
minor amendment process, streetscape standards, program applications, agreements and
other program requirements.
o Work with City staff to identify funding sources and other opportunities on City-owned
facilities and lands to expand xeriscape.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Council Memo, March 2022
2. Public Engagement
3. Soil Amendment Map
4. Presentation
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