Audio By Carbonatix
In one way, shape or form we’ve noted most of what the city council will discuss this afternoon during its briefing. But there’s one briefing we’ve overlooked: Water Conservation and the Land Development Process. This one addresses a familiar subject ’round these parts: the city’s attempt to conserve water during a drought — which is “over” for now, but, you know, probably not forever — whilst also allowing new developments to pop up like weeds. Asks the doc: “Can additional strategies, incentives and/or regulations contribute to the policies and regulations now in effect?”
Why, yes, yes they can, says the briefing — everything from the kinds of developments encouraged and allowed (“Walkable, mixed-use development patterns can create less demand on the environment while still accommodating population and employment growth”) to “rainwater harvesting” to disallowing the planting of new landscaping should the city ever find itself in Stage 4 watering restrictions to strengthening the city’s landscape and tree preservation regulations, otherwise known as Article X. Among the proposed suggestions:
Amend and expand the Purpose Section of Article X to broaden the scope to include water conservation efforts, promote the use of drought tolerant plants and efficient irrigation systems
Amend and expand the Purpose Section of Article X to broaden the scope to include water conservation efforts, promote the use of drought tolerant plants and efficient irrigation systems
Amend and expand the “Acceptable Plant Materials” section to:
- Require some native or drought tolerant species
- Limit the use of plants that need a high volume of water, i.e. turf grass
- Include native plant choices
The doc hails the Urban Reserve as the kind of development that should be replilcated. Or maybe the city should just put Jose Escobedo in charge.
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