Innovative Water Management for Commercial Landscaping

1. Innovative Water Managementfor Commercial Landscaping 6/2/2010 | Environmental Board

2. Council Resolution 20091119-064(November 19, 2009) • WHEREAS, the City Council passed Resolution 20090806-035…; and • WHEREAS, the City's Watershed Protection Department has recommended that City Code be amended to require commercial storm water runoff to be directed to landscaped areas while providing flexibility through alternative methods, and provide exceptions for unique site conditions; NOW, THEREFORE • BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN: The City Council directs the City Manager to initiate necessary code amendments to reflect the recommendations…

3. Current Commercial Landscape Designs • Raised curbs • Plants “high and dry” • Heavy reliance on potable water to irrigate • Stormwater shunted off quickly

4. Potential Commercial Landscape Designs • Curb cuts • Water directed to plants • Reduced reliance on irrigation • Stormwater infiltrated

5. Current To Inlet Potential

6. Ordinance Intent • Conserve potable water • Take advantage of natural rainwater (and other non-potable sources) for irrigation • Augment efforts to increase water quality

7. Ordinance Summary • Existing irrigation code (§25-2-1008) requires all landscaping be irrigated • Virtually all development projects meet this requirement using potable water • Proposed ordinance shifts emphasis to natural area preservation, xeric plant selection & beneficial use of stormwater • Applies to City Limits only, not in ETJ (extra-territorial jurisdiction)

8. Ordinance Summary (con’t) • Permanent irrigation not required for: • Natural areas left undisturbed • Xeric (drought-resistant) plantings • Stormwater irrigation required for conventional/non-xeric planting • Newly planted trees must still have permanent supplemental irrigation. • Temporary irrigation required for two growing seasons

9. Preserve undisturbed natural areas & existing trees Yes No No further irrigationrequirements • Temporary irrigationfor two growing seasons • Permanent irrigation fornew trees Yes 2. Install xeric (drought-resistant) landscaping No • Irrigate landscaping withstormwater runoff • Permanent irrigation fornew trees Yes 3. Install conventional(non-xeric) landscaping Supplemental irrigation always allowed, but not required

10. Stormwater Irrigation Options • Overland flow • Storm drains • Downspouts • Rainwater Harvesting • Retention-Irrigation • Other

11. Rainwater Harvesting Overland Flow Rain Garden Disconnected Downspout

12. Drainage Solutions • Must provide sufficient water for landscaping without causing drainage problems • Site plan must show the drainage areas used to irrigate the landscaped area as well as the nature and location of supplemental irrigation

13. Pollutive Runoff • Unless the landscaped area is designed as a water quality control: • Runoff from areas that may generate highly contaminated runoff (e.g., gas stations) may not contribute to stormwater irrigation. • Runoff from areas used for parking or driving of vehicles in the Recharge Zone may not contribute to stormwater irrigation.

14. New Requirements • Supplemental irrigation may be provided but is not required. • Automatic irrigation, hose attachments, or temporary above ground system can be used to supplement. • May use other non-potable sources (e.g., condensate, reclaimed water) to supplement.

15. Director may grant an Administrative Variance if… • Strict compliance is infeasible due to unique site conditions;* and • The proposed irrigation plan minimally departs from the requirements * Topography, size, shape, location of existing features such as trees or previous development, etc.

16. Tentative Schedule 2010 • Environmental Board June 2 • Planning Com. Codes & Ordinances June 15 • Resource Management Commission June 15 • Planning Commission June 22 • Water and Wastewater Commission July 14 • City Council July 29