Council debates exemptions, definition for proposed cap on maximum daily water use

Council received a briefing on an ordinance intended to make permanent a cap on maximum daily water use for new nonresidential land uses. Austin Kimmel introduced the item and said the proposed amendment would “cap maximum daily use for new nonresidential properties at 200,200 gallons per day for these properties.” Planning Director Nick Norris and other staff explained the measure grew out of temporary land‑use regulations adopted in March 2026 and described the rationale tied to recent warm, dry winters and water‑conservation goals.

Several council members pressed staff on exemptions. One council member asked how the administration defined “social services” and whether the exemption could be narrowed; staff noted the code currently falls back on Webster's dictionary when a term is undefined and agreed to place an explicit definition into the ordinance text. Multiple members said they supported the policy goal but urged tightening or removing some exemptions for institutional uses, houses of worship and other categories to avoid unintended latitude for large water users; staff said they will return with a revised ordinance reflecting council direction.