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Piedmont commission discusses 2027 nonfunctional-turf irrigation restriction and funding options
Summary
Staff briefed commissioners on Bill 15-72, which will bar potable-water irrigation of municipal nonfunctional lawns starting in 2027; the commission discussed identifying affected sites, potential East Bay MUD rebates, and a pledged contribution from the Piedmont Botanical Foundation to support conversions.
Parks staff told the commission April 9 that Bill 15-72 will prohibit the use of potable water to irrigate nonfunctional municipal turf beginning in 2027.
"Starting in 2027, the city will not be able to use potable water to irrigate nonfunctional lawn," staff said, and described initial steps the city is taking: cataloguing municipal areas that qualify as nonfunctional, assessing design options for replacing turf with lower-water plantings, and planning potential irrigation-system changes.
Staff reported that the Piedmont Botanical Foundation has pledged a donation to help fund conversions and that there may be utility rebates (East Bay MUD) for certain retrofit techniques such as sheet-mulching. Commissioners suggested forming a subcommittee to identify candidate sites and prepare options for council consideration; they noted particular political sensitivity for large decorative lawns (the Sheridan strip was cited as a challenging, high-visibility example).
Staff also connected turf conversion planning to needed irrigation-system upgrades in parks that would facilitate transitions to non‑turf plantings. Commissioners agreed the commission could assist the council once priorities and funding are clearer; no formal commission direction or funding allocation occurred at the meeting.
