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Decatur staff proposes broader xeriscape rules, seeks input from planning commission
Summary
City staff presented a draft to expand xeriscaping rules to commercial and limited residential districts, citing water conservation and Texas law; commissioners asked about plant lists, irrigation standards, artificial turf and HOA/deed restriction enforcement.
City of Decatur staff on Sept. 2 presented proposed amendments to the subdivision and zoning landscape ordinances to allow xeriscaping (water-conserving landscaping) in commercial districts and in residential districts with limits and required living-plant percentages.
Staff told the Planning and Zoning Commission the change is intended to promote water conservation, soil improvement and more efficient irrigation. "Texas local government code section 580.002, considers a xeriscape ordinance for municipalities and counties to be able to enact these ordinances for the conservation of water," the staff member said, adding that the proposal would reference the Texas SmartScape standards and include a regional plant list and design and installation standards.
The presentation noted the current City of Decatur rules only mention xeriscaping in industrial zoning districts, and staff proposed expanding allowable use in commercial zones and in residential zones with limits on how much of a lot can be xeriscaped and a required percentage of living plant material. Staff said the ordinance would seek to avoid converting yards to rock-only landscapes by requiring living plant material and maintenance standards.
Commissioners asked practical questions about how xeriscaping would be implemented on individual lots, whether xeriscaped yards would be certified, how irrigation differs from conventional systems, the role of artificial turf and how homeowner association or deed restrictions would interact with a city ordinance. Staff said implementation details — including the percentage of living plant material required, whether some subdivisions will still require sod in front yards, and whether artificial turf would be allowed — are still under development and will be presented in a draft ordinance for commission recommendation.
On enforcement of restrictive covenants or HOA rules, staff said such private deed restrictions are not enforceable by the city and that disputes between homeowners and HOAs would be a private legal matter. "Those requirements for an HOA or a deed restrictions ... are not enforceable by the city," the staff member said.
City Council directed staff on Aug. 11 to move forward with amending the code; staff said they will return with a draft ordinance that incorporates commissioner feedback, flags poisonous plants to be prohibited, and proposes required plant counts for commercial and residential landscaping.
