TITLE
Adopt resolution forwarding the item to the California Coastal Commission for their consideration. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
Since 1993, the State of California has mandated that local jurisdictions comply with the Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (DWR’s Ordinance), a Department of Water Resources (DWR)-authored document promoting the conservation and efficient use of water in public and private landscape projects. The first major update of DWR’s Ordinance was completed in 2009, at which time local jurisdictions were directed to either adopt the amended DWR Ordinance in its entirety or adopt local water-efficient landscape standards that meet or exceed the effectiveness of those passed by the State (Exhibit A - Model Landscape Ordinance).
Long Beach Development Services partnered with the Office of Sustainability to research the DWR Ordinance and work with other City agencies that would be affected by any ordinance changes (Parks, Recreation & Marine Department, Public Works Department, Water Department). Recommendations were discussed with the Sustainable City Commission on January 28, 2010, and with the Planning Commission in a study session on March 4, 2010. On April 15, 2010, the Planning Commission considered this matter and recommended that the City Council amend Zoning Regulations governing public and private landscaping to comply with DWR’s Ordinance.
The recommended amendments to Title 21 of the Long Beach Municipal Code (Exhibit B-Amendments) include the following for new residential, commercial and industrial projects or significant remodel projects with landscaping over 2,500 square feet:
1. A mandate to use drought-tolerant plants and stay within a specified water budget with 90 percent of total plantings in the “Very Low” to “Low” water use categories (based on WUCOLS, a statewide categorization of landscape species based on their water use), or demonstrate landscaping project components have an estimated total water usage quotie...
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