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Bulverde commission recommends allowing certified non‑irrigated landscaping after water‑meter limits
Summary
Commissioners voted to recommend a zoning code amendment permitting non‑mechanically irrigated commercial landscaping if certified by a landscape architect, citing the local water provider's refusal to issue separate landscape meters during drought conditions.
Presiding officer (Speaker 1) presented a proposed amendment to the city’s zoning code (chapter 14, section 14.108.002) to modify maintenance and irrigation requirements for new commercial landscaping. Staff explained the change responds to restrictions from the primary water provider, which has stopped issuing separate landscape meters and has discouraged subsurface irrigation during ongoing drought conditions.
Under the proposed amendment, commercial projects would still be required to meet landscape requirements but could use drought‑tolerant, non‑irrigated plantings certified by a landscape architect instead of installing underground mechanical irrigation systems. Staff said the local water provider, identified in the discussion as Texas Water Company, has refused to issue new separate landscape meters and encouraged terrascaping or alternatives that do not require irrigation.
Commission members expressed support for the amendment as a practical response to meter issuance limits and drought. Commission member (Speaker 2) moved to recommend the ordinance amendment; Presiding officer (Speaker 1) seconded. The motion was called and passed with no members voicing opposition. The commission’s recommendation will be forwarded to City Council.
The change aims to preserve commercial landscape standards while accommodating drought‑driven water‑use constraints and ensuring projects can proceed when separate irrigation meters are not available.
