Consider Draft Ordinance Amendment Addressing Irrigation Requirements

Over the past two months, the Board has discussed a potential ordinance amendment regarding irrigation requirements for multi-family and commercial/industrial developments.  Based on the discussion at the January meeting, Staff has updated a DRAFT Ordinance that eliminates the irrigation requirement and also stipulates that if an irrigation systems is installed (including single family parcels), it must be equipped with a rain sensor, per state statute, as well as one or more water efficient technologies.  This could include, but would not be limited to, a smart controller, soil moisture sensor(s), and/or an evapotranspiration (ET) sensor(s).  This provides enough flexibility so that as future advances in water efficient irrigation technologies are developed, it will not require additional ordinance amendments.

While note specifically included in the DRAFT Ordinance, it may also be worth noting that this could be an opportunity to encourage more native landscaping within projects.  Native grass and plant communities require fewer inputs, especially water.  So, the Board may also wish to contemplate some sort of landscape credit for projects incorporating a native grass and plant community.  An example could be a reduction in the number of required trees and/or shrubs for each 500 square feet of native landscape establishment.  As this is not directly related to irrigation requirements, Staff is not suggesting that this be contemplated as part of the DRAFT Ordinance, but just something that the Board may wish to keep in mind from a broader water conservation perspective.

Staff is still assessing how the water efficient requirement would be verified in the field.  At this time, it does not appear that it could be addresses through any existing inspection.  Additional review is still needed on this aspect.  However, any potential action on this DRAFT Ordinance could be contingent upon finalizing an effective and efficient inspection methodology.

Motion to recommend adoption of Ordinance #17-02 amending the irrigation standards contingent upon Staff developing an efficient and effective inspection methodology.