By Khalida Sarwari
Changes could be afoot for homeowners in Saratoga who are looking to add or change their landscaping.
Because of the ongoing drought, the Saratoga City Council earlier this month broached the idea of tightening the regulations in Saratoga’s water efficiency landscape ordinance. At its May 13 meeting, the council agreed to send that ordinance to the planning commission for review and possible modifications.
Through the ordinance, the city encourages residents to reduce water consumption by using region appropriate plants that require minimal irrigation and establishes standards for irrigation efficiency.
The ordinance currently applies to new or revised landscapes that require a building or landscape permit, plan check or design review, and are at least 2,500 square feet for public projects or at least 5,000 square feet for residential projects.
Alternatively, the ordinance allows applicants to choose less cumbersome options that include native or low-water plants and limits turf use.
Adopted last November, Saratoga’s water conservation ordinance was intended to replace the state’s model water efficiency landscaping law that the city adopted in 2010. Although many of its provisions remain, the model law was amended to better meet the needs of Saratogans, said community development director Erwin Ordonez.
The council wanted to review the ordinance because of the drought emergency announced earlier this year by Gov. Jerry Brown. In March, Brown ordered California’s first-ever mandatory statewide water restrictions, calling for a 25 percent reduction in water use, along with increased enforcement against water wasters and investments in new water-saving technologies.
Councilwoman Mary-Lynne Bernald brought the issue before the council.
“We’re a city that, up until the drought has said, oh we want expansive green lawns, we want trees, we want all these things that now are non-viable anymore,” said Bernald. “I think this is an opportunity to reach more people and educate them and say these are the options you have.”
Councilman Manny Cappello recommended asking planning commissioners to find a balance between advancing the council’s water conservation goals and making the process easier for residents.
“I don’t want to put something in place that is a hurdle that’s difficult for them to overcome relative to this,” Cappello said “I want our residents to be able to do the right thing in a quick and expedient and cost-effective manner.”
Link: Drought forces Saratoga to consider making water efficiency landscape ordinance more restrictive
