Title
REF210007/WATER AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN LANDSCAPING ORDINANCE
a. Adopt an ordinance to add Chapter 16.63 to the Monterey County Code to establish regulations for water-efficient and energy-efficient landscaping in unincorporated Monterey County; and
b. Approve and authorize the Director of HCD to execute a letter to the California Department of Water Resources recommending revisions to the state's Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance.
Location: Countywide
Proposed CEQA Action: Categorical exemption pursuant to Section 15307 and 15308 of the CEQA Guidelines.
Report
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Adopt an ordinance to add Chapter 16.63 to the Monterey County Code to establish regulations for water-efficient and energy-efficient landscaping in unincorporated Monterey County; and
b. Approve and authorize the Director of HCD to execute a letter to the California Department of Water Resources recommending revisions to the state's Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance.
SUMMARY
On November 16th, 2021, The Board of Supervisors introduced the ordinance and set December 7, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. as the date and time to consider adoption. The Board also directed staff to draft a letter to the California Department of Water Resources, which is attached for the Board's consideration.
DISCUSSION
The Board of Supervisors directed staff to prepare and submit a letter (Attachment B) to the Department of Water Resources (DWR) with recommendation for including expanded compliance options for the following: 1) landscape with aggregate areas greater than 2,500 square feet, so that they could qualify as Minor Landscape provided the required landscape plan utilize plants from a pre-approved Plant List; and 2) exempt Major Landscapes from the requirement to provide a Soils Management Report if the Landscape Plan and Irrigation Plan utilize plants from the same pre-approved Plant List. Compliance options that reduce costs for applicant...
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