HomeMy WebLinkAbout1992-11-17; City Council; 11970; WATER EFFICIENT LANDSCAPE ORDINANCE.
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Cw OF CARLSBAD - AG€WA BILL (514
AB# 11i970 TITLE: WATER EFFICIENT DE
MTG. //-IT- 7% LANDSCAPE ORDINANCE CI1
DEPT. ?@iz CI1
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Introduce Ordinance No. flS-219
Landscape Ordinance.
approving and adopting the Water Effic
fTEM EXPLANATION:
The State of California's Water Conservation in Landscaping Act (AB325) becl
effective on January 1, 1991. It requires the City to adopt a water effic
landscape ordinance prior to January 1, 1993. If the City has not done so by
time, the State's "Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance" shall take effec
that day and must be enforced by the City and have the same force and effec
though it were a local ordinance.
The City of Carlsbad has a history of promoting water conservation in
landscape. The original Landscape Manual adopted by the City Council in .
strongly encouraged low water use plantings. In November, 1990, the City Co
adopted, by Resolution No. 90-384, the revised Landscape Manual. The prir
purpose for revising the manual was to strengthen the water conservi
requirements.
The adopted 1990 Landscape Manual includes an extensive "Water Conserva
section. The policies address low water use plants, water saving irrigation des
use of reclaimed water, general "xeriscape" principles, and many other n
conservation requirements.
The ordinance proposed by this agenda bill essentially extracts the n
conservation sections from the Landscape Manual and makes them into the Ci
Carlsbad Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance. In doing this, the City will t
adopted it's own comprehensive landscape water conservation ordinance tail(
to the needs of Carlsbad. This action will meet the requirements of AB325.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None
EXHI BITS:
1.
2.
Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance No. NS-2 17
Water Conservation Section of the Landscape Manual.
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ORDINANCE NO. NS-219
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING TITLE 14 OF THE
MUNICIPAL CODE BY THE ADDITION OF CHAPTER 14,28 RELATED TO THE WATER EFFICIENT LANDSCAPES
WHEREAS, it is the policy of the City of Carlsbad to promote
conservation and efficient use of water and to prevent waste of this valui
resource; and
WHEREAS, landscape design, installation and maintenance can and shc
be water efficient; and
WHEREAS, in November 1990, the City Council (herein called Tour
adopted, by Resolution No. 90-384, the Landscape Manual which outlines
policies and requirements for landscape development and contains an exter
section on water conservation,
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Carlsbad, California c
ordain as follows:
SECTION 1 : The purpose and intent of the City Council with respect tc I
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Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance is to:
(A) Promote a landscape ethic recognizing Carlsbad as a naturally c
arid region and encouraging landscape systems compatible with the n:
environment.
(8) Conserve water resources through the use of current technology i
landscape industry related to water conservation.
(C) To satisfy the requirements of the Water Conservation in Landsc:
Act, Government Code, Section 65591, by creating a water efficient lands
ordinance.
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SECTION 2: That Title 14 of the Carlsbad Municipal Code is amended
the addition of Chapter 14.28 to read as follows:
"Chapter 14.28l
WATER EFFICIENT LANDSCAPE
Sections:
14.28.01 0 Purpose and intent.
14.28.020
14.28.030
Incorporation of the Landscape Manual by reference.
Designation of Sections 1I.B. and 1V.C. of the Landsc:
Manual as the Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance.
14.28.010 Purpose and intent. The water resources of the CiQ
Carlsbad are of limited supply and are subject to ever increasing demar
Current scientific knowledge and technology in the landscape industry relatec
water conservation can provide significant savings in water use. The W
Efficient Landscape Ordinance is intended to require landscape plans appro
by the City of Carlsbad to include water conservation as a primary considerat
I 4.28.020 Incorporation of the Landscape Manual bv reference.
Landscape Manual, adopted by the Carlsbad City Council by Resolution
No. 90-384 is hereby adopted by reference and incorporated into this chapti
14.28.030 Desimation of Section 1I.B. and 1V.C. of the Landscape Ma
as the Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance. Section I1.B. "Water Conserv;
Plan" and Section 1V.C. "Water Conservation Policies and Requirements" o
Landscape Manual are hereby designated as the Water Efficient Landsc
Ordinance.
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EFFECTIVE DATE: This ordinance shall be effective thirty days after
adoption, and the City Clerk shall certify to this adoption of this ordinance i
cause it to be published at least once in the Carlsbad Journal within fifteen d
after its adoption.
INTRODUCED AND FIRST READ at a regular meeting of the Carlsbad
Council held on the 17th day of NOVEMBER , 1992,
thereafter
PASSED AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of said Council held on
, 1992, by the following vote, to day of
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
CLAUDE A. LEWIS, Mayor
ATTEST:
ALETHA L. RAUTENKRANZ, City Clerk
(SEAL)
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WATER CONSERVATION PLAN I CI = -------- '0
mm
Projects requiring discretionary approvals or as required by the City.
Submit in conjunction with the Landscape Concept Plan.
This Plan will demonstrate to the City how the proposed development will use all
practical means available to conserve water in the landscape.
The Plan will depict, in a general way, how the proposed project will conform to the policies and requirements of the following sections of this document,
particularly the Water Conservation Policies and Requirement (Section IV.C).
B.2-1
B.2-2
mm
B.3-1 Plans shall be prepared by a landscape architect registered in the State of
California or as specified in B.3-2.
Plans may also be prepared by a licensed civil engineer, architect, or contractor registered in the State of California to the extent that his or her license allows. B.3-2
( \ = 1-
PLAN SIZE
Prepared on a 50% screened copy of the Landscape Concept Plan.
Special areas may require enlargements as required by the City.
After the project has been approved by the City, the applicant must provide the
City with the approved plan on mylar (24' x 36') or microfilm (as specified by
the City).
-- B.4-1
B.4-1.1
B.4-1.2
B.4-1.3
m m-
To include but not be limited to:
Extent of Planting Zone 1 ("Lush") - Indicate percentage of Zone 1 planting (per Appendix A) of the total landscaped area (as defined in Appendix G). Provide justification for the appropriateness of where Zone 1 plants are used in terms of water conservation. For example, are Zone 1 plantings in areas of shade where they will use less water and/or has the soil been suitably amended so as to retain relatively greater moisture?
Proposed turf areas. (See limitations in IVC.3-4.2) Give percentage of turf of the total landscaped area (as defined in Section IV C.3-4.2-3 and Appendix G).
Accommodations for reclaimed water (existing or future) and outline planting areas proposed to use reclaimed water.
principles (see Appendix B) within the project.
B.5-1
B.5-2
B.5-3
i I B.5-4 Written description of water conservation features including addressing xeriscape
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Preliminary Submittals EXHIBIT 2
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WATER CONSERVATION 1 POLICIES AND REQUIREMENTS
mm mm
c.1-1 Carlsbad is in a naturally semi-arid region. The landscape ethic should be towards designing and maintaining landscape systems compatible with the natural environment.
Current technology in the landscape industry related to water conservation in irrigation and planting can provide significant savings in the use of water.
landscape design shall include water conservation as a primary criteria.
The principals of xeriscape shall be incorporated into design and maintenance of landscape.
Plants known to have relatively high water needs shall be used sparingly and in situations where they will require the least amount of water.
Public areas receiving the highest intensity of use, such as recreation areas and urban gathering spaces shall receive the highest priority for landscape
water consumption.
Alternative water sources (non-potable) shall be used and/or planned for
(,,I L landscape irrigation.
c.1-2
C.1-3
C.1-4
C.l-5
C.l-6
C.l-7
C.l-8 In the event of a declared water shortage or mandatory water conservation measures, the project shall comply with all water allocation programs adopted by State and local government.
0 Am8 A: mm
Include but not limited to:
- General Planting and Irrigation Policies and Requirements
- Slope Revegetatioflrosion Control Policies and Requirements - Installation, Bonding, and Maintenance Requirements
mm
C.3-1 Model Homes -- Housing projects featuring a model home($ shall designate at least one model as the ‘Water Conservation Landscape Model” or “Xeriscape
Model.” The landscaping of this unit(s) shall incorporate all the principals of
xeriscape and shall have a sign program to describe to prospective buyers the
water conserving elements and plant types utilized in the design. All model landscaping shall utilize the principals of xeriscape.
C.3-2 SOIL CONDITIONING
C.3-2.1 SOIL TEST
(‘.
i_ C.3-2.2 After rough grading, soil samples shall be taken from enough locations on the site
to represent an adequate cross section of conditions.
Policies and Requirements
W 0
’ u WATER CONSERVATION
POLICIES AND REQUIREMENTS (cont)
C.3-2.3 Soil test shall be performed by a soil testing laboratory (pre-approved by the Cib The test shall indicate but not be limited to the following:
a. organic matter content b. N, P, K
d. EC
e. soil texture (silt, clay, sand) f. recommendations for amendments, leaching, and maintenance fertilizations.
c. pH
C.3-2.4 The results and recommendations of the soil testing laboratory shall be submittc to and approved by the City. The approved recommendations for amendments a backfill shall be incorporated into the landscape plans prior to the start of
construction and shall become part of the approved plans.
Products specified by product name by the soil lab in the recommendations m, be substituted with “or equal” products approved by the City.
c.3-3 MULCHING
C.3-3.1 A minimum of 3”of organic mulch shall be added in non-turfplantingareas wit slopes less steep than 3:l to cover the soil surface completely.
Where adjacent to hard surfaces such as sidewalks curbs, or drives (where finis grade shall be 1” below the top of the hardsurfacel, the mulch thickness may ta~ down to 1” thick.
Non-porous materials shall not be placed under the mulch.
C.3-3.2
C.3-3.3
c.3-4 PLANTING
C.3-4.1 Plants with similar cultural requirements of exposure, soils, and water needs, etc shall be grouped together and located on the project site in microclimates whe they will require the least water for optimum growth and maintenance.
TURF LIMITATIONS: turf areas shall be limited by type of project and percentag
of landscaped area in accordance with the following chart: C.34.2
% OF TURF ALLOWED C.3-4.2-1 PROJECT TYPE (of landscaped area)
A. RESIDENTIAL (per general plan designation)
1. RH (high density) 50% (cool season grass)
2. RMH (medium high) 30% (cool season grass)
3. RLM (low medium density) 15% (cool season grass)
B. COMMERCIALANDUSTRIAL 10% (cool season grass)
or 80% (warm season grass)
RM (medium) or 50% (warm season grass)
RL (low density) or 25% (warm season grass)
or 15% (warm season grass)
m 2 Policies and Requirements
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WATER CONSERVATION 8 POLICIES AND REQUIREMENTS (cont)
C.3-4.2-2 EXEMPTIONS: The following areas are exempt from the turf % limitations:
a. common recreation areas associated with Planned Unit Developments
b. single family individual lots. c. projects that have reclaimed water service at the time the approved
(PUD’s) or Planned Industrial Permits (PIPS).
landscape is installed and will utilize the reclaimed water on the proposed turf areas.
d. public or private parks and golf courses as defined in Appendix G.
C.3-4.2-3 For purposes of this requirement, landscape area shall be as defined in Appendix G and shall not include natural or manmade slopes 2:l or steeper or areas designated as “Open Space” by the City.
No turf shall be allowed in: C.34.3
a. median islands b. areas less than 6 feet wide c. slopes over 4:l steepness
C.34.4 Turf shall not be allowed in areas generally not visible to the public or site
occupants (i.e., backs of buildings, service areas, behind fences and screens etc.) unless this area is designed as a recreation area.
Areas of public and private recreation facilities (i.e. parks and golf course) that can be non-turf without affecting the recreational use shall be designed toward, this goal.
Woody shrubs shall be planted over herbaceous ground cover areas to cover 60% of the ground cover area (at mature size).
C.3-4.5 f- ‘ L
C.3-4.6
c.3-5 IRRIGATION
C.3-5.1 Projects shall be designed to utilize reclaimed water and/or other alternative
non-potable water sources for landscaping to the satisfaction of the City. All
regional and local water and health code requirements in force at the time of final landscape approval shall apply including, but not limited to, installation of labeled
or colored irrigation pipe to denote reclaimed water use.
The above requirement may be waived if the City determines that the project is out of the service area of future reclaimed water as shown in the City’s Reclaimed Water Master Plan or other related documents.
Provide separate water service for landscaping including but not limited to connections, water meters, and backflow preventers for all commerciaVindustrial projects, residential common areas in projects over 4 dwelling units, parks, and
golf courses.
Irrigation circuits shall be organized into “hydro zones” based on plants, sun and
shade exposure, topography, and soils.
Sprinkler head spacing in lawn areas and where stream sprays, rotors or impacts are used shall be equal to 50% of the diameter spray.
C.3-5.2
(2.3-5.3
C.3-5.4
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Policies and Requirements
a w WATER CONSERVATION POLICIES AND REQUIREMENTS (cont)
C.3-5.5 The systems shall be designed for minimum runoff and overspray onto non-irrigated areas.
Sprinkler heads shall have matched precipitation rates within each control Val\ circuit and head types shall not be mixed within the circuit.
The irrigation system shall be designed to apply water at a rate not exceeding t infiltration rate of the soil.
C.3-5.6
C.3-5.7
C.3-5.8 All trees in lawn areas shall be irrigated with a “deep watering device” (drip or bubbler application inside a drain pipe -- See Appendix D).
Serviceable check valves located in valve boxes or on risers (above grade) are required where elevation differential may cause low head drainage.
All irrigation systems shall be equipped with an automatic controller capable o dual or multiple programming. Controllers must have multiple cycle start capacity and a flexible calendar program.
A rain shut off device shall be included in the irrigation system affecting all stations.
Moisture sensors or hydrometers may be required at the discretion of the City.
C.3-5.9
C.3-5.10
C.3-5.11
C.3-5.12
C.3-6 FOUNTAINS
C.3-6.1
C.3-6.2
Fountains shall have recycling systems.
Fountains, decorative pools and ponds shall utilize reclaimed water if available be designed to utilize reclaimed water so that it can be utilized when it becom
available. When reclaimed water becomes available, the water feature shall be
immediately converted to reclaimed use. The design and equipment shall
conform to loa1 water and health agency requirements related to reclaimed wa
Fountains shall be designed to minimize evaporative loss. C.3-6.3
m 4 Policies and Requirements