Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Water Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Rohnert Park adopts ordinance aligning local landscaping rules with California model
Summary
The City Council adopted Ordinance 984 on Oct. 8 to incorporate the state model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance into the municipal code, applying to new development and substantial redevelopment; staff said it will take effect 30 days after adoption and is exempt from CEQA under state guidelines.
Rohnert Park’s City Council on Oct. 8 adopted Ordinance 984 to add the California Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance by reference to the city municipal code, a move staff said will require climate‑appropriate plantings and more water‑efficient irrigation designs for new development and substantial redevelopment.
Vanessa Garrett, the city’s director of public works, summarized the ordinance and its intent. “This ordinance … requires new development as well as substantial redevelopment projects to design landscaping that will thrive in our region as well as conserve water to the greatest extent possible,” she said.
The ordinance amends Chapter 13.05 (Water, Waste and Water Shortage Contingency Plan) and, according to staff, would take effect 30 days after adoption. During the meeting the council conducted a public hearing; no members of the public spoke on the item.
Staff and the city clerk noted the ordinance is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act pursuant to state CEQA guidelines for measures that protect natural resources and the environment. The council adopted the ordinance by roll‑call vote (five ayes).
Council members said they expected the ordinance to help the city reduce landscape water use and improve long‑term resilience of public and private planting. The city will publish the ordinance summary and follow the standard posting process for Municipal Code changes.
