HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/02/1989, C-6 - DEFERRAL OF LANDSCAPE PLANTING DURING THE DROUGHT. City of Sa►n LUIS OBisp0 MtO5-2 oAq
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT MM NUMB
FROM: Michael Multari, Community Development Director
BY: Glen Matteson, Associate Planner, and Tina Metzger, Water Conservation Coordinator
SUBJECT: Deferral of landscape planting during the drought.
CAO RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a resolution to clarify the city's position on new planting during the drought,
including landscaping required by project approvals.
BACKGROUND
At the April 5 meeting, councilmembers expressed support for "a moratorium on new
landscaping." In answering citizens' many questions, staff would like a clarification
from the council so we can give answers that are consistent with each other and with the
council's intent. In makes sense not to put in new plants during the drought. However,
to defer landscaping may contradict previous city direction, such as subdivision
improvement agreements or required mitigation for environmental impacts. The City
Attorney prefers a formal action by the council. The attached draft resolution reflects
what we understood to be the council's preference, and what we have been telling people:
1. The city itself will not put in new planting (with the possible exception of
converting a high water use landscape'to a "xeriscape").
2. The Utilities Department will not increase customers' water allotments under
mandatory conservation to support new landscaping planted during mandatory
conservation.
3. The Community Development Department and the Public Works Department will not
require planting to be completed before building projects are released for occupancy
or subdivision improvements are accepted, unless planting prior to occupancy is
explicitly required as a condition of approval or as environmental mitigation. We
will use the typical means of assuring that planting will be completed after the
drought ends (cash guarantee, bond, joint account, or holding future phases of a
project). We will extend subdivision agreements. However, putting in new
landscaping is not illegal, so we will not prosecute people for doing it. In some
cases, we may want planting before occupancy if the planting is needed for something
like erosion control.
ALTERNATIVES
The council may state whatever positions it desires by resolution. The council may also
continue action.
Attached: Draft resolution concerning deferral of planting
gm5: Is-defer
J RESOLUTION NO. (1989 Series)
A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
DEFERRING LANDSCAPE PLANTING DURING MANDATORY WATER CONSERVATION
WHEREAS, the City of San Luis Obispo has experienced three consecutive years of
lower than normal rainfall, which has resulted in lower than normal reservoir levels; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has adopted Water Allocation Regulations and a Mandatory
Water Conservation Program; and
WHEREAS, the City Council acknowledges that water is a limited resource and desires
to improve the effectiveness of water use and avoid nonessential uses of water;
NOW, THEREFORE, the council resolves as follows:
1. During mandatory conservation, there shall be no new landscape planting which
requires potable city water for irrigation in city parks or on the grounds of city
buildings, except to replace plants with those requiring less water.
2. New planting while mandatory conservation is in effect shall not be a basis for
increasing the target water use levels for a customer.
3. Planting required as a condition of building-permit, architectural-review,
�l use-permit, subdivsion, or planned-development approval, to be irrigated with
potable city water, may and should be deferred. The City Engineer or the Community
Development Director may approve such deferrals. There should be appropriate
guarantee that the planting will be completed within 90 days of the end of mandatory
conservation, or other appropriate time as determined by the City Engineer or the
Community Development Director. The City Engineer or the Community Development
Director may require completion of certain planting prior to project occupancy where
such completion has been explicitly required as a condition of project approval or
as environmental mitigation.
On motion of , seconded by , and on the
following roll call vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
the foregoing resolution was passed and adopted this day of 1989.
Mayor
ATTEST:
City Clerk
I
j
Resolution No. (1989 Series)
Page 2
APPROVED:
M1r J-
City dministrative Officer
City Attor
Community Development Director
Utilities Director
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