HomeMy WebLinkAbout101-Staff Report.pdf 1
SARATOGA CITY COUNCIL
MEETING DATE: May 19, 2010 AGENDA ITEM:
DEPARTMENT: Community Development CITY MANAGER: Dave Anderson
PREPARED BY: Cynthia McCormick, AICP DIRECTOR: John F. Livingstone, AICP
SUBJECT: Adoption of Ordinance Amending the Zoning Regulations related to City Code
Article 15-47 -Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance. (CONSENT ITEM)
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Staff recommends the Council waive the Second Reading and adopt the Ordinance amending the
Zoning Regulations related to City Code Article 15-47 - Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance.
REPORT SUMMARY:
On May 5 , 2010, the City Council conducted a public hearing, introduced and approved the
ordinance, and directed staff to place the matter on the consent calendar at the next Council
meeting. The proposed ordinance is attached. The City’s existing ordinance (Article 15-47) has
been replaced in its entirety by removing the existing language and referring to the California
Department of Water Resources Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (Attachment 2).
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW:
These amendments to regulation of Water-Efficient Landscapes are categorically exempt from
the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to the Guidelines for Implementation
of CEQA (14 Cal Code §15307). The Category 7 Exemption includes activities that enhance or
protect a natural resource and applies to regulatory actions taken to preserve natural resources.
CEQA applies only to projects which have the potential of causing a significant effect on the
environment. Where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in
question may have a significant effect on the environment, the activity is not subject to
CEQA. This state mandated update to water efficient landscape requirements would not have the
potential to cause a significant effect on the environment.
FISCAL IMPACTS:
Staff time will be required to educate applicants on the new requirements and to review Projects
to ensure that requirements have been met. Staff will continue to look for opportunities to partner
with other entities both regionally and at the State level to facilitate implementation of water
efficient landscape requirements.
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CONSEQUENCES OF NOT FOLLOWING RECOMMENDED ACTION:
The City would not be in compliance with Assembly Bill 1881 and the Water Conservation in
Landscaping Act.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION:
Provide staff with alternative direction.
FOLLOW UP ACTION:
This ordinance or a comprehensive summary thereof shall be published in a newspaper of general
circulation of the City of Saratoga within 15 days after its adoption.
ADVERTISING, NOTICING AND PUBLIC CONTACT:
This item was posted as a City Council agenda item and was included in the packet made
available on the City’s web site in advance of the meeting. A copy of the agenda packet is also
made available at the Saratoga Branch Library each Monday in advance of the Council meeting
and residents may subscribe to the agenda on-line by opting in at www.saratoga.ca.us. The City
Council held a properly noticed public hearing on May 5, 2010 and the Planning Commission
held a properly noticed public hearing on March 24th.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Proposed Water Efficient Landscapes Ordinance (Article 15-47)
2. California Department of Water Resources Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance