CC 2015-12-08_12a Power Point - 2015 Landscape OrdinanceDecember 8, 2015
City of Arroyo Grande City Council Meeting
Development Code Amendment No. 15-002
Amend Chapter 16.84 of the Arroyo Grande Municipal Code Regarding Water Efficient Landscape Requirements
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City’s Current Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance:
Turf in residential front yards limited to 25% of the landscaped area.
Turf areas less than 8’ in width prohibited.
Grading to maximize on-site runoff to landscape.
Drip irrigation and
low water use plants encouraged.
CC&Rs shall not require turf or prohibit low-water use landscaping.
Turf limited to 20% of total landscaped area for Multi-family projects.
Turf limited
to 10% of total landscaped area for commercial and industrial projects.
Turf prohibited in public right-of-way.
December 8, 2015
City of Arroyo Grande City Council Meeting
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State Model Water Efficient Ordinance – Reasons for Adopting:
Future amendments to the Model Ordinance can be made without requiring amendments to the City’s Municipal Code;
The language of the Model Ordinance doesn’t have to be included in the
Municipal Code; and
More staff time required to create a modified Ordinance.
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City of Arroyo Grande City Council Meeting
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December 8, 2015
City of Arroyo Grande City Council Meeting
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Specific Ordinance Requirements:
Reduced amount of turf and high water use plants allowed;
Reduced size threshold of landscape projects subject to the requirements from 2,500 to 500 square feet of landscaping;
Dedicated
landscape water meters for residential landscapes over 5,000 square feet, and non-residential landscapes over 1,000 square feet;
Irrigation systems to have pressure regulators and master
shut-off valves;
December 8, 2015
City of Arroyo Grande City Council Meeting
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Specific Ordinance Requirements (Continued):
Irrigation emission devices to meet the national standard;
Flow sensors required for landscape areas greater than 5,000 square feet;
10’ minimum width for areas that use spray irrigation;
Rehabilitated landscapes of 2,500 square feet or more are subject to the Ordinance;
Existing landscapes over one (1) acre; and
Land-use agencies are required to annually report on
Ordinance adoption and enforcement.
December 8, 2015
City of Arroyo Grande City Council Meeting
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MWELO Landscape Documentation Package Elements:
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Model Ordinance Incentives:
Landscape submittal requirements are reduced for projects that include:
Greywater use
Improvements for on-site stormwater capture
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City of Arroyo Grande City Council Meeting
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Greywater Reuse Requirements:
All new dwellings shall include either a separate multiple pipe outlet or a diverter valve, and an outside “stub-out” installation on clothes washing machine hook-ups.
All new dwellings
shall include building drains for bathroom sinks, showers and bathtubs, segregated from drains for all other plumbing fixtures, and connected a minimum of 3 feet from the limits of the
foundation.
All greywater systems shall be designed and operated according to the provisions of the California Plumbing Code.
December 8, 2015
City of Arroyo Grande City Council Meeting
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Laundry to Landscape:
The most simple greywater system.
No permit required.
Some limitations:
No spray irrigation
No ponding
Exterior use only
Sub-soil irrigation
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City of Arroyo Grande City Council Meeting
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Other Greywater Systems:
Branched Drain
Pumped Systems
Dual Drainage Plumbing
Sand Filter to Drip Irrigation
Manufactured Greywater System
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City of Arroyo Grande City Council Meeting
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Estimated Costs for Greywater Systems:
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City of Arroyo Grande City Council Meeting
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Ordinance Advantages:
Reduces municipal water usage for the City;
Brings the City into conformance with the State Model Ordinance requirements; and
Allows the City to follow the State standards without having
to add the Model Ordinance in its entirety to the City’s Municipal Code.
December 8, 2015
City of Arroyo Grande City Council Meeting
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Ordinance Disadvantages:
New reporting to the State required. City staff time required to review landscape plans, create a system of tracking and reporting, prepare reports and transmit the annual reports to
the State; and
Landscape area subject to the Ordinance has been lowered from 2,500 square feet to 500 square feet. A greater number of applicants will therefore be subject to the new
regulations, which will add costs to the overall project.
December 8, 2015
City of Arroyo Grande City Council Meeting
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Planning Commission Recommendation:
1) introduce an Ordinance amending Chapter 16.84 of the Arroyo Grande Municipal Code adopting by reference the Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance of the State of California as
contained in the California Code of Regulations, Title 23, Waters, Division 2.7, Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance, Sections 490 et. seq., including mandatory plumbing for greywater
reuse capabilities for new residential and mixed-use development; and
2) schedule January 12, 2015 as the date for a public hearing to adopt the Ordinance pursuant to Government Code
Section 50022.3.
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Alternatives:
Modify and introduce the ordinance to exclude greywater plumbing requirements;
Do not introduce the ordinance and direct staff to develop an alternative ordinance that is at least as
effective as the CA MWELO; or
Provide other direction to staff.
December 8, 2015
City of Arroyo Grande City Council Meeting
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