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Centennial P&Z reviews ‘WaterNow’ landscaping and irrigation changes for new and redeveloped sites
Summary
City staff presented proposed Land Development Code amendments from the WaterNow project that would change irrigation standards, plant lists, soil amendments and turf limits for new or redeveloped projects; no vote was taken, and staff seeks commission feedback before a second reading at City Council on April 5, 2025.
Stephanie Rowan, planner for the City of Centennial, told the Planning and Zoning Commission on Feb. 26 that staff is proposing a package of Land Development Code amendments based on research funded by the WaterNow Alliance and Western Resource Advocates that would apply to new and redeveloped sites.
Rowan said the package—called WaterNow in staff materials—would introduce hydrozones (grouping plants by water need), require low‑water irrigation methods such as drip or bubbler systems for low‑water zones, and require EPA WaterSense labeled, weather‑based “smart” irrigation controllers on new projects. “All of these amendments tonight that are being proposed are only for new or redeveloped projects,” Rowan said.
The proposal would also replace Centennial’s static approved plant list with a dynamic list managed through PlantSelect (a site maintained by Colorado State University and Denver Botanic Gardens), expand and encourage xeriscaping (a mix of mulch, rock and…
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