HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 1b: Introduce Ordinance 2267 - Water Efficient LandscapingSUMMARY
BACKGROUND
STAFF REPORT
Development Services Department
DATE: December 1, 2009
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Jason Kruckeberg, Development Services Director,ZK
By: Marie Nguyen, Management Analyst and
Jim Kasama, Community Development Administrator
SUBJECT: ORDINANCE NO. 2267 AMENDING THE ARCADIA MyNICPAL CODE
BY ADDING A NEW DIVISION 4 TO CHAPTER 5, PART 5 OF ARTICLE
VII RELATING TO WATER EFFICIENT LANDSCAPING
Recommendation: Introduce
California Assembly Bill 1881 (AB 1881), enacted in September 2008, modifies and
strengthens the Water Conservation in Landscaping Act of 1990. A key provision of
AB 1881 requires local agencies to either adopt the State's Model Water Efficient
Landscape Ordinance, or adopt its own ordinance that is, "at least as effective" in
conserving water by January 1, 2010.
Staff is recommending that the City Council introduce the attached Ordinance No. 2267
to amend the Arcadia Municipal Code by adding a new Division 4 to Chapter 5, Part 5 of
Article VII (Public Works) relating to Water Efficient Landscaping.
As a result of recurring consecutive years of drought (1976 1977 and 1987 1992)
and a reduction in water allocation from the Colorado River Aqueduct, the State of
California passed Assembly Bill 325 (AB 325) in 1990, the Water Conservation in
Landscaping Act. With the reduction in water supply and the increase in potable water
demand as a result of population growth, AB 325 aimed to change the way landscaping
was planned and designed. A State Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance was
adopted and it brought on an awareness of how much people depended on potable
water to maintain their landscape.
Recently, with California again facing recurring drought conditions and a court ordered
restriction on pumping from the Sacramento Delta, which further reduced the State's
The implementation of this ordinance will accomplish the objective of promoting water
efficient landscaping and effective water use management without a decline in
landscape quality. This ordinance does not require xeriscape landscaping; rather, it
focuses on an overall "water budget" for new landscaping that allows creativity in
meeting the guidelines. This ordinance will apply to all projects that require permits,
plan checks, and /or design reviews and includes both public and private development
projects that exceed the thresholds mentioned above. Based on past applications, staff
estimates this ordinance will affect approximately 15 to 20 projects per year. The
ordinance will meet the State requirement that it be, "as least as effective" as the Model
Ordinance.
Staff is recommending that the City Council introduce Ordinance No. 2267 to amend the
Arcadia Municipal Code by adding a new Division 4 to Chapter 5, Part 5 of Article VII
relating to Water Efficient Landscaping.
FISCAL IMPACT
For some complex projects, due to the increased landscaping requirements, a pass
through charge will be collected from applicants to pay for professional review of
landscape plans. This will be an "at cost" charge based on the work completed. For the
majority of projects, however, staff will complete the review based on the landscaping
package submitted by a licensed landscape architect or contractor. Initially, the review
time will be accounted for in the existing plan check and design review fees. However,
staff will monitor the work load created by this new requirement and may need to charge
an additional landscaping plan check fee for qualifying projects if the work proves to be
complicated and time consuming. In this event, a proposed fee will be presented to the
City Council for consideration.
RECOMMENDATION
Introduce Ordinance No. 2267 to amend the Arcadia Municipal Code by adding a new
Division 4 to Chapter 5, Part 5 of Article VII relating to Water Efficient Landscaping.
APPROVED: r-la.¢z2 1�-c�v•�, -a,✓
Donald Penman, City Manager
Attachment: Ordinance No. 2267
Ordinance No. 2267
Water Efficient Landscaping
December 1, 2009 Page 3
ORDINANCE NO. 2267
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF ARCADIA, CALIFORNIA AMENDING THE ARCADIA
MUNICIPAL CODE BY ADDING A DIVISION 4 TO
CHAPTER 5, PART 5 OF ARTICLE VII REGARDING
WATER EFFICIENT LANDSCAPING
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARCADIA, CALIFORNIA, DOES
ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. The Arcadia Municipal Code is amended by adding Division
4 to Chapter 5, Part 5 of Article VII to read as follows:
DIVISION 4
WATER EFFICIENT LANDSCAPING
"7554. SHORT TITLE. This Ordinance shall be known as the 'Water
Efficient Landscaping Ordinance."
7554.1. DEFINITIONS.
1. Administrator: person in the City of Arcadia who has the authority to approve a
permit, plan check, and design review for a project.
2. Amendments: any material added to a soil to improve its physical properties,
such as water retention, permeability, water infiltration, and drainage.
3. Applicant: Any person required to submit a Landscape Design Application.
Applicant may include the property owner or an agent of the owner.
4. Application Rate: the depth of water applied to a given area, measured in inches
per minute, or inches per hour, or gallons per hour.
5. Applied Water: The portion of water supplied by the irrigation system to the
landscape.
6. Automatic Rain Shut -off Feature: a system component which automatically
suspends the irrigation system event when it rains.
7. Botanical Gardens and Arboretums: gardens in which a variety of plants are
grown for scientific and educational purposes.
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19. Irrigation Efficiency: the measurement of the amount of water beneficially used
divided by the amount of water applied. Irrigation efficiency is derived from
measurements and estimates of irrigation system characteristics and
management practices. The minimum irrigation efficiency for purposes of this
Division is 0.71.
20. Irrigation System: network of piping, valves and irrigation heads.
21. Landscape Architect: person licensed to practice landscape architecture in
California pursuant to Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 5615) of Division 3
of the California State Business and Professions Code.
22. Landscape Concept Plan: portion of a landscape documentation package that
includes a design statement, irrigation notes, planting notes, the plant palette,
and conforms with the requirements of this Diviion.
23. Landscape Construction Drawings: portion of a landscape. documentation
package that includes the irrigation plan, and conforms with the requirements of
this Division
24. Landscape Documentation Package: complete packet of documents required
under Sections 4, 5 and 6 to be submitted to the local agency. Documentation
packages include the landscape concept plan and landscape construction
drawings (irrigation plan, plant and soils plan, water management plan).
25. Landscape Water Audit: in depth evaluation of the performance of an irrigation
system conducted by a Certified Landscape Irrigation Auditor. Audits include,
but are not limited to: inspection, system tune -up, system test with distribution
uniformity and verification of minimal overspray or runoff that causes overland
flow, and preparation of an irrigation schedule.
26. Low -Head Drainage: drainage from a sprinkler that is caused by water flowing
down an irrigation system from a higher level of elevation.
27. Maximum Applied Water Allowance (MAWA): the upper limit of annual applied
water for the established landscaped area. It is based upon the area's ET
Adjustment Factor and the size of the landscaped area. The Estimated Applied
Water Use shall not exceed the MAWA.
28. Mulch: organic material such as leaves, bark, or inorganic material such as
pebbles, stones, gravel, decorative sand or decomposed granite left loose and
applied to the soil surface to reduce evaporation.
29. Operating Pressure: pressure at which an irrigation system of sprinklers is
designed by the manufacturer to operate, usually indicated at the base of a
sprinkler.
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44. Static Water Pressure: the pipeline or municipal water supply pressure when
water is not flowing.
45. Total Project Net Landscape Area: all planting areas, turf areas, and water
features in a landscape design plan subject to the Maximum Applied Water
Allowance calculation.
46. Turf: a surface layer of earth containing mowed grass or grasslike sedge with its
roots. Cool Season Turf thrives in cooler weather while warm season turf is
better suited for hot weather conditions.
47. Water Efficient Landscape Worksheet: worksheet which calculates a site's water
budget.
48. Water Feature: any design element where open water performs an aesthetic or
recreational function. Water features include pohds, lakes, waterfalls, fountains,
artificial streams, spas, and swimming pools (where water is artificially supplied).
49. Water Management Plan: plan submitted with the construction drawings as part
of the landscape documentation package.
50. Water Schedules: schedule of irrigation times through a given year.
51. Water- Conserving Landscape Design: a landscape design developed to
conserve water.
7554.2. PURPOSE AND INTENT. The purpose of this Division is:
A. That this Division be at least as effective in conserving water as the State of
California's model ordinance adopted pursuant to Government Code §65595;
B. To assure beneficial, efficient, and responsible use of water resources for all
customers /users within the City of Arcadia;
C. To retain the land's natural hydrological role within the Los Angeles River Watershed
and promote the infiltration of surface water into the groundwater in the Raymond
Basin and the Main San Gabriel Basin;
D. To acknowledge that landscape water use accounts for more than 60% of all
domestic water use in the City of Arcadia;
E. To recognize that landscapes enhance the aesthetic appearance of developments
and communities;
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E. Special Landscaped Areas, such as areas dedicated to edible plants,
areas that are irrigated with recycled water, or areas dedicated to active
play, for which a water efficient landscape worksheet and landscape
documentation package shall be prepared according to the specifications
for Special Landscaped Areas.
This Division does not apply to:
A. Registered local, state or federal historical sites;
B. Ecological restoration projects that do not require a permanent irrigation
system;
C. Mined -land reclamation projects that do not require a permanent irrigation
system; or
D. Botanical gardens and arboretums open to the public.
7554.4. PLAN CHECK REQUIREMENTS. A Landscape Documentation
Package prepared by a licensed landscape architect shall include the following
landscape design criteria:
A. Plant Selection and Grouping.
Any plant may be used in the landscape, providing the Estimated Applied
Water Use (EAWU) does not exceed the Maximum Applied Water
Allowance (MAWA) and that the plants meet the specifications set forth
below:
1. Plants having similar water needs shall be grouped together in
distinct hydrozones.
2. Plants shall be selected based upon their adaptability to the
climate, geologic, and topographical conditions of the site.
Protection and preservation of existing native species and natural
areas is encouraged. The planting of appropriate trees is
encouraged.
3. Minimize the use of turf. Turf areas shall be used sparingly in
response to functional needs and shall not exceed the MAWA.
Where turf is installed, the use of warm season turf is strongly
encouraged.
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areas separate from shade areas; top of slope separate from toe of
slope);
2. Anti -drain check valves shall be installed to prevent low -head
drainage in sprinkler heads;
3. A pressure regulator when the static water pressure exceeds the
maximum recommended operating pressure of the irrigation
system; and,
4. A rain sensor with an automatic rain shut -off feature shall be
required.
7554.6. SOIL AND GRADING REQUIREMENTS.
A. Soil testing shall be performed after mass grading, prior to landscape
installation to ensure the selection of appropriate plant material, that is
suitable for the site, and reported in a soil management plan. The soil
management plan shall include:
1. Determination of soil texture, indicating the available water holding.
capacity;
2. An approximate soil infiltration rate (either) measured or derived
from soil texture /infiltration rate tables. A range of infiltration rates
shall be noted where appropriate;
3. Measure of pH and total soluble salts; and
4. Recommended soil amendments.
B. Grading on site shall be designed to minimize unnecessary soil
compaction, erosion and water waste. Grading plans must satisfy the
City's grading requirements and be submitted as part of the landscape
documentation package.
7554.7. IMPLEMENTATION.
A. Applicants subject to the requirements of this Division shall submit a
complete Landscape Documentation Package to the Administrator. The
Application may be submitted in two parts:
1. A Landscape Concept Plan, which is submitted with a discretionary
permit application or when otherwise required by the City; and
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3. A legend listing the common and botanical plan
names and total quantities by container size and
species.
4. Soil management plan, including the soil test results
and recommendations.
5. The grading plan shall be included for reference.
c. Water Management Plan
A Water Management Plan shall be prepared in accordance
with the requirements of this Division and shall include:
1. An introduction and statement of site conditions.
2. Identification of the party(ies) responsible for
implementation of the Water Management Plan.
3. The anticipated water requirements in inches per
year, and water budget for the various hydrozones
identified in the landscape concept plan to include
calculations demonstrating an overall water budget
that requires no more irrigation than the 0.7 of the ET
adjustment factor.
4. A description of the water delivery systems, including
the type of irrigation system to be used; water
conservation methods to be applied, and precipitation
rates for each hydrozone.
5. Seasonal irrigation water schedules or procedures for
programming of proposed SMART controllers.
6. A maintenance plan for the ongoing operation and
maintenance of the irrigation system.
C. All applications for model homes shall include samples of public
information documents and signage that will be placed at the model
homes describing the water conservation principles used in the
landscaping for the model home.
D. COMPLIANCE /ENFORCEMENT. The Administrator or designee shall
have the duty and authority to administer and enforce this Division.
7554.8. RECYCLED WATER
The City of Arcadia recognizes that the current and future use of recycled water
within its jurisdiction is NOT in the foreseeable future. Therefore applicants are exempt
from being required to install recycled water irrigation systems.
7554.9 Section 9. STORMWATER MANAGEMENT
A. Stormwater management combines practices to minimize runoff and water
waste to recharge groundwater, and to improve water quality.
Implementing stormwater best management practices into the landscape,
irrigation, and grading design plans to minimize runoff, and increase
retention and infiltration are highly recommended on site.
B. Project applicants shall refer to the City of Arcadia or Regional, Water
Quality Control Board for information on any stormwater ordinances and
stormwater management plans."
SECTION 2. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this Ordinance and
shall cause a copy of the same to be published in the official newspaper of said City
within fifteen (15) days after its adoption. This Ordinance shall take effect thirty -one
(31) days after its adoption.
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