Planning commission recommends adoption of updated water-efficient landscape ordinance

The Temecula Planning Commission on Oct. 1 recommended that the City Council adopt ordinance LR25-0099, an update to the city's water-efficient landscape ordinance (chapter 17.23 of the Temecula Municipal Code) that codifies current design practice and technical standards.

Katie, a planning staff member, said the update is intended to "codif[y] existing subjective design standards and some current best practices," and described proposed changes that include updated definitions, referencing a more current reference evapotranspiration (ETO) value for Temecula, use of specific plan plant lists when applicable, separation of plants with different watering needs onto separate irrigation valves, and an exemption to allow turf in inner courtyards of senior care facilities.

The draft ordinance would limit the use of inorganic ground cover (gravel, stones) as accent material to a 15% maximum, add landscape design standards for parking areas including required canopy trees, allow overhead spray irrigation in bioretention basins narrower than 10 feet with public works director approval, and set minimum tree setbacks from utility equipment (5 feet from water/gas meters/sewer laterals, 10 feet from utility poles, 8 feet from hydrants and fire department connections). The draft moves a current practice into code by requiring modification applications for changes to approved landscape plans and requiring replacement of trees removed due to maintenance or death consistent with approved plans. Staff also proposed removing two specific plants from the recommended plant list (Appendix C) and adding a note directing areas in high fire severity zones to Calflora's Fire Safe plant list.

Blanca, the contracted landscape consultant, confirmed the city typically requires root barriers near utilities when trees are planted adjacent to infrastructure. Staff said the ETO rate used in the water-use calculation for Temecula is currently 55.9 and that evapotranspiration informs landscape water budgets.

Staff determined the ordinance is exempt from CEQA pursuant to section 15061(b)(3) and recommended the planning commission adopt a resolution recommending council adoption. Commissioner Hagel moved to adopt LR25-0099; Commissioner Watson seconded. The commission voted in favor; the motion carried by voice vote.

The ordinance update was previously reviewed by the municipal code maintenance subcommittee and the city council general plan update subcommittee. Staff said protected trees remain subject to the protected tree ordinance (chapter 8.48). The matter will now proceed to the city council for final consideration.