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Home My WebLink About04-27-16 PC Correspondence - Item 2 (Cooper)To: San Luis Obispo Planning Commission From: Allan Cooper Date: 04/24/16 RECEIVED CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO APR 2 5 2016 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT On Wednesday, April 27, 2016 you will be reviewing a proposed 2015 Urban Water Management Plan. Meeting: PC -4.2 7, f tp Item: In an April 24, 2016 Tribune article, John Lindsay stated the following: "Many renowned climatologists believe that these warmer (ocean) temperatures are contributing to the persistent high pressure over the West Coast, nicknamed the "Ridiculously Resilient Ridge", that has directed many storms to the north and the possible atmospheric rivers they could bring". William Patzert, a respected climatologist with Cal Tech's NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, stated the following: "...today the rules have changed. Manmade climate change is warming and drying the West as well as much of the Middle East, India, China and many other regions. Concerns about the world's freshwater supplies are accelerating". With climate change in mind, I applaud Jennifer Metz's, Carrie Mattingly's and Aaron Floyd's suggested amendments to the 2010 Urban Water Management Plan and Water Shortage Contingency Plan. Their "Proposed Stages for the 2015 Water Shortage Contingency Plan" is a useful guide in determining when the cessation of new water connections and when water demand offsets will be required. However, I believe it would be useful at this time for you to discuss in more detail a more aggressive "Water Offset Program" which could take effect during the proposed "Severe", "Extreme" and "Critical" stages of water shortage. I am also recommending that you adopt tiered restrictions for a building permit or water connection moratorium (similar to the one that is being used in Pismo Beach) and that these restrictions begin to take effect at the "Severe" stage when there is less than three years of available water supply. Like Cambria, CA, San Luis Obispo should have an aggressive demand offset program. Like Danville, CA the developer should not only implement onsite water conservation measures but also pay $6,000 per housing unit to offset twice the expected water demand. These funds could be used to pay for retrofit projects—such as plumbing fixture replacements, sub -metering, installation of gray water systems, and creating water budgets, such as Paso Robles' required Water Supply Assessments (see more examples of these offsets below). Like Pismo Beach', San Luis Obispo should implement tiered restrictions for a building permit or water connection moratorium beginning with the "Severe" stage of water shortage and progressing through to the "Critical" stage of water shortage. I am therefore recommending for discussion purposes the following modifications (shown in red type) to Table 2: "Proposed Stages for the 2015 Water Shortage Contingency Plan": 1 Pismo Beach Tier 1: Restrict permits for vacant lots Water usage equal or less than previously Tier 2: No building permits except those in process New development must restrict water demand by 15% Tier 3: New development & redevelopment must restrict water demand by 30% Warning < 4 years of available water supply City implements Water Allotment Program and Water Offset Program2 for new connections. City implements mandatory conservation measures including outdoor irrigation restrictions (examples: 3 or 2 days a week watering and only serving water upon request at restaurants). Water Supply Assessments. 95 gcd per capita goal Severe < 3 years of available water supply City implements Water Allotment Program and Water Offset Programa for new connections. Additional outdoor irrigation restrictions may be added (such as no spray irrigation). Restrict permits for vacant lots. Water Supply Assessments. Increase leak repair and detection 90 gcd per capita goal Extreme < 2 years of available water supply 2Water Demand Reduction Offset Program: 2:1 or Water Neutral (1:1) Retrofit program exceeding requirements of State law (e.g., Water Demand Offset Residential Green Credits or Rebates) For New Construction, Remodels and Replacement: Waterless urinal Low flow shower heads Faucet aerators Water efficiency washing machines Hot water recirculation Upgraded water meters or sub -metering Toilet leak detection systems Toilet tank displacement bags Installation of grey water systems Rainwater collection tanks Dry toilets a Capital improvements: installation of municipal: Water pipes Greywater - potable water conversion system Vegetated infiltration bioswales Stormwater capture Dry wells Underground drip irrigation systems City continues to implement a Water Allotment Program with reduced levels. Water Offset Program4 for new connections may be increased. Outdoor irrigation may be prohibited for all uses. Cps ti fi_of may-bs-re c e eE No building permits except those in process. Keep the following vegetation alive: trees, shrubs, perennials. Adequate commercial water with restrictions. No hydrant use except for fire safety. Possible water lease or purchase. 85 gcd per capita goal Critical < 1 year of available water supply City continues to implement a Water Allotment Program at further reduced levels (minimum for public health and safety). Outdoor irrigation prohibited for all uses. Water Offset Program to cease and no new connections permitted. Sustain some mature trees, but recognize there may be a major die -off of lawns,trees and shrubs. Maintain adequate supply for indoor and emergency use for 12 month period. 80 gcd per capita goal 4 Increase Mandatory requirements beyond what currently exists: Air cooled ice machines Water efficient air conditioning Prohibit use of water to wash down buildings or structures for purposes other than immediate fire protection Failure to repair a controllable leak(s) within a reasonable period after having been given notice directing the repair of such leak(s)