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Home My WebLink About2007 04 09 Regular 600 Xeriscape COMMISSION AGENDA ITEM 600 CONSENT INFORMATIONAL PUBLIC HEARING REGULAR X April 9, 2007 Regular Meeting DEPT. Authori REQUEST: Community Development Department, Urban Beautification Services Division, wishes to provide information as requested by the City Commission regarding I Xeriscape™ landscaping and potential developer incentives for conservation plantings. PURPOSE: The purpose of this Board item is to inform the City Commission regarding Xeriscape™ landscaping, it's use for demonstration planting in the City, and to obtain direction regarding developer incentives and potential future amendments to the City Code for conservation plantings. CONSIDERATIONS: On March 12,2007, the City Commission requested that Staff provide information on developer incentives for Xeriscape™ landscaping and the planning for a reduction in water and pesticide use in the community. The City Commission also requested information on the City's plan for Xeric plantings; some as demonstrations to the public, to set an example in the community for conservation and water-wise landscapes. Xeriscape™ landscaping is a combination of the following (7) common sense principles that save water while creating a lush and colorful landscape; whose natural requirements are appropriate to the local climate and environmental conditions. 1. Plan and design for water conservation and beauty from the start. 2. Create practical turf areas of manageable sizes, shapes, and appropriate grasses. 3. Select low water plants and group plants of similar water needs together (right plant, right place). 040907_ COMM _Regular _ 600_ Conservation_ Landscaping_Xeriscape 4. Use soil amendments like compost or manure as needed by the site and the plant types used. 5. Use mulches such as wood chips, to reduce evaporation and keep soil cool. 6. Irrigate efficiently with properly designed systems and applying the right amount of water at the right time. Encouraging the use ofrec1aimed water. 7. Proper maintenance of the landscapes by mowing, hand weeding, pruning and minimal fertilization. Xeriscape™ is not: . Rocks and gravel only · Dry, lawn less landscaping . Native plants only · A mono-culture of spiny plants and cactus · The same as 'Zero-scaping', where the landscape consists mostly of concrete, stones and gravel; with an occasional cactus in the design. City Staff is excited to provide examples of Xeric and conservation landscape plantings installed recently as potential demonstration sites to increase public awareness of the need for conservation planting. · George Street (greenbelt) - Native and xeric trees and shrubs that require no supplemental watering and little care after establishment. · Oak Forest (Chokecherry) - Native and xeric trees that reqUIre no supplemental watering and little care after establishment. · Tuscawilla (Northern Way and W.S. Blvd) - Native and xeric trees that require no supplemental watering and little care after establishment. · Cross Seminole Trail - Native and xeric trees that require no supplemental watering and little care after establishment. · SR 434 (Village Walk) - Native and xeric trees that require little supplemental watering and minimal care after establishment. 040907_ COMM _Regular _ 600 _Conservation _ Landscaping_ Xeriscape · SR 434 (Medians from SR 419 to Greenway) - Native and trees that require little supplemental watering and minimal care after establishment. · Fisher Road (ROW) - Native and xeric trees that require no supplemental watering and little care after establishment. · Public Works / Utility Facility (In progress) - Native and conservation plant material and trees that require minimal watering and care after establishment. Staff has spent many hours researching the various incentive programs that are being offered by other Cities to Developers, both locally and in other states; with minimal information available for local municipalities in their Code of Ordinances. Many local governments are found to be using disincentives to promote the installation of Xeric and native landscapes that require less water and less harmful chemicals. Surprisingly, however, in mid-western Cities there is a common trend emerging for giving rebates for Xeriscape™ landscapes in redevelopment conversions. One example of a successful Xeriscape™ rebate program for conversions is in the City of Albuquerque, N. M. where water bill credits are given for single family homes ($.60 for each square foot of qualifYing landscape up to 2,000 sf) and multi-family/commercial ($.60 for each square foot of qualifYing landscape up to 12,500 sf). Larger rebates are given for Xeric landscapes where rainwater is harvested on the site. New development in the City of Albuquerque also has incentives for xeric compliant landscapes including: a one time $800 rebate (residential) or $5,000 rebate (commercial) to project developers. A Staff position in the City of Albuquerque (Xeriscape™ Incentive Inspector) was recently added to ensure compliance with the rebate program. Based upon credible information from other municipalities (local and out of state) regarding incentives for Xeriscaping™ and conservation planting, City Staff is persuaded that incentives or disincentives in Winter Springs should be tied to the reoccurring cost of water to each property owner due to the high costs of managing a rebate program. 040907_ COMM _Regular _ 600_ Conservation _ Landscaping_Xeriscape The following is a current compilation of applicable developer requirements from the Winter Springs Comprehensive Plan, the Code of Ordinances and the Town Center Code related to Xeriscape™ and Conservation Plantings. City of Winter Sprin!!s - Comprehensive Plan (Conservation Element) · Policy IV-B-4.7: The City shall require (50%) of the required landscaping area, as indicated in the Land Development Regulations, be Xeriscaping™ and native plant materials. · Policy 1.2.7: The City shall promote the use of best management techniques by adopting a local Xeriscape™ ordinance and shall promote, through educational programs and publications, the use of Xeriscape™ practices, which include low or no water landscaping, the use of solid waste compost, efficient irrigation systems, and the prohibition of exotic plant species, which will result in the conservation of water. · Policy IV-E-2.1: 'Abbreviated version of Policy 1.2.7' City of Winter Sprin!!s - Code of Ordinances · Section 20-451 Telecommunications Towers - 10. Landscaping: d. All landscaping shall be Xeriscape™ tolerant and shall be properly maintained by the telecommunications tower owner/operator to ensure good health and viability. City of Winter Sprin!!s - Town Center Code · Division 12 -10. Parking e. "To minimize water consumption, the use of low-water vegetative ground cover other than turf is encouraged." Due to limited language found in current City of Winter Springs applicable policies in addressing the issues of landscape conservation, Staff is recommending amendments to the City Code of Ordinances that would be formulated to establish specifications and requirements for Xeriscape™ and conservation landscape plantings as an integral part of the landscape for all new commercial and the residential common areas of development within the City. 040907_ COMM _Regular _ 600 _Conservation _ Landscaping_ Xeriscape Conclusion Staff feels that the City is already doing what is necessary to implement the City's Xeriscape ™ program by enforcing the existing comprehensive plan policies that require responsible design through the Staff Review Process, and having a water rate that provides incentives for conservation as demonstrated through the responsible design of the City's public projects. FUNDING No funding is required at this time. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends the City Commission provide direction to Staff regarding potential amendments to the City of Winter Springs Code of Ordinances that will implement the current comprehensive plan policies and formalize current practices for Xeriscape™ landscaping and conservation plantings for all new commercial and the common areas of all new residential development in the Winter Springs. IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE: ATTACHMENTS: COMMISSION ACTION: