Council directs staff to pursue native‑plant, pollinator guidance and prepare for 2027 landscape requirements

The City Council voted to direct staff to move forward on a three‑part approach to increase native plant and pollinator habitat across city‑managed spaces and to prepare for an anticipated 2027 state rule restricting irrigation of nonfunctional turf.

Public Works staff and the Public Works and Sustainability Commission presented options that included (1) preparing education and outreach materials for residents, (2) drafting maintenance and planting guidelines for city‑owned parkways and facilities that encourage SoCal native species and prohibit invasive/hazardous plants, and (3) preparing the city to meet new state development and commercial landscape standards expected in 2027. Staff noted capital projects already underway (sea cliff buckwheat medians west of PCH, City Hall courtyard improvements and library turf replacement design) and said guidelines will need to account for site‑specific conditions such as wind and soil.

Council members and the public discussed planting success rates, irrigation systems and the tradeoffs between native shrubs and urban trees (most mature shade trees are not California natives but provide urban canopy benefits). Several speakers noted native plant palettes are now broadly available and that properly selected natives can establish more quickly than some residents expect.

The council unanimously directed staff to prepare education materials, draft maintenance/parkway planting guidelines for city‑owned property, and prepare to meet the 2027 landscape requirements for commercial and institutional development — with the additional direction that staff inventory city turf areas, prioritize replacements and consider native palettes in ongoing capital projects.

Staff will return with draft guidelines, outreach materials and an inventory/prioritization for turf replacement so the council can review proposed policy and implementation steps.