Centennial staff seek council feedback on Water Now landscaping amendments including hydrozones, smart irrigation and turf limits

City of Centennial planners on Feb. 4 presented proposed land development code (LDC) amendments drawn from the Water Now study that would require hydrozones, promote low‑water irrigation technology and limit nonnative turf on nonresidential and multifamily projects.

The discussion, led by Bridal Nikkenas and Stephanie Horn of the city’s planning staff, was presented as a request for feedback rather than a vote. “The goals for this discussion is staff seeks feedback and consensus to move forward on potential land development code amendments,” Nikkenas said.

The proposals are intended to bring the city’s landscaping and irrigation requirements closer to current industry best practices and to save water. Staff described a package of changes that would: require hydrozones (grouping plantings by similar water needs); encourage or require low‑volume irrigation such as bubblers and drip systems in low‑water zones; encourage use of EPA WaterSense‑labeled smart (weather‑based) irrigation controllers; and replace Centennial’s static approved plant list with a reference to the Plant Select online database maintained by Colorado State University and Denver Botanic Gardens.

Staff emphasized the draft amendments would apply to new development, redevelopment and multifamily projects, not routine single‑family home landscaping. “This is for new development, redevelopment and multifamily,” Horn said. Staff added the plant‑selection reference is intended to let developers use a live, market‑aware list rather than a code‑based list that can lag availability.

In other recommendations staff proposed: a maximum allowance for high‑water, nonnative turf (for example Kentucky bluegrass) on nonresidential sites (with native grass species exempt), a requirement for targeted soil amendments for plantings to improve moisture retention, and clearer definitions of “functional” and “nonfunctional” turf (language the presenters said was taken from Colorado Senate Bill 24‑005). The package also included a review of buffer yard standards and limited allowances for artificial (synthetic) turf in light of state discussion of artificial‑turf restrictions.

Council members asked for additional information before any formal code changes. Council member Carnes sought confirmation that the proposals would not regulate single‑family yards; staff replied they would not and that the plant database could be shared with homeowners as guidance. Council member Holt and others asked staff to return with cost comparisons—both up‑front installation costs and lifecycle maintenance—linked to estimated water savings, and to bring back comparisons with other Front Range municipalities the consultants reviewed. “For cost effectiveness… just some find some, you know, first swipe financial analysis on that 1 would be would be cool,” Holt said.

Several council members asked about maintenance costs and durability of alternative irrigation systems; staff said those topics are on their to‑do list as they continue stakeholder outreach with water districts, parks partners and developers. Council member Northark asked whether hydrozones would consider site elevation so that runoff might benefit lower‑water plants; staff said that is a useful detail they could include in future draft requirements.

Presenters also discussed artificial turf, noting staff is tracking Colorado Senate Bill 24‑005 and concerns raised in other jurisdictions about heat absorption, microplastics and runoff. Staff said the bill under consideration would prohibit artificial turf in new development and redevelopment except for residential and outdoor recreational uses, and that grandfathering and exceptions would depend on bill language and further analysis.

Staff said next steps include additional stakeholder meetings with water providers and developers, a Planning and Zoning Commission hearing tentatively scheduled for March 12, 2025, and potential council second reading of amendments tentatively scheduled for April 15, 2025. “We will be meeting with more stakeholders… Planning and Zoning Commission is tentatively scheduled for 03/12/2025. And then the proposed amendments for second reading would be in front of city council tentatively scheduled for 04/15/2025,” staff said.

The council did not take formal action; staff will return with cost, maintenance and engineering detail for council review.