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Erie staff preview draft 'Waterwise' landscaping ordinance to align with SB 24-005; council asks about costs and enforcement
Summary
Erie staff presented a draft update to Unified Development Code Chapter 10-6-4 to align with SB 24-005 and extend water-efficiency standards to single-family yards; council asked for cost estimates for developers, enforcement details for single-family lots, and outreach plans.
Erie staff introduced a draft Waterwise Landscape ordinance intended to update UDC Chapter 10-6-4 and bring the town into compliance with state law SB 24-005, while extending some standards into single-family residential yards.
Dylan King, the town’s sustainability and water conservation specialist, summarized key changes: restriction of cool-season turf except in active recreation areas; reduction of front-yard living plant coverage from 75% to 70% for single-family lots; a cap limiting alternative turfgrass varieties to 50% of total landscaped area on single-family lots; and added requirements for hydrozoning, soil amendment, and more efficient irrigation practices. King said the draft applies to new development and large redevelopment projects and that it would not apply to most existing development unless redevelopment triggers are met.
Council members raised procedural and implementation questions. Several asked how the 70% and 50% numbers were chosen and whether reducing plant coverage would encourage more hardscaping. King said staff prioritized plant selection and biodiversity to avoid heat-island and stormwater problems while reducing water demand. Kathy Crona (Parks and Recreation development and neighborhood services division manager) clarified that "landscaped area" excludes hardscapes (driveways, sidewalks) and includes planted gardens and mature tree canopy.
Council members also asked about cost impacts for builders and owners, and whether smaller lots would be disproportionately affected by the 50% alternative turf limit. Staff said Dean Italí (town-hired water resource engineers) is evaluating the magnitude of cost and water-conservation impacts and that the town will explore offsets such as adjusting water dedication requirements if warranted. Andrea Carroll, water counsel to the town, said the town commissioned Dean Italí Water Consultants to provide the evaluation.
On enforcement and triggers, staff said the redevelopment trigger is a construction project requiring a building permit or site plan that disturbs more than 50% of the aggregate landscaped area; small projects such as adding a bathroom would not trigger the code. Staff acknowledged the implementation approach for single-family detached lots needs more work and that planning staff will refine whether new permit types or revised review procedures are required.
Staff outlined next steps: staff will gather stakeholder input, perform sensitivity testing, assemble plant lists and checklists, and pursue adoption with targeted code adoption by the end of Q1 next year after outreach and possible revisions. King and staff also noted existing incentives — including a turf-replacement rebate program and a town-subsidized 'Garden in a Box' offer — and a new Resource Central pilot for HOAs to support large landscape conversions.
What happens next: Staff will continue outreach to developers, builders, homeowners, and HOAs; deliver cost and water-conservation analyses; and return to council with proposed edits and implementation details before final adoption.
