HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-01-26 City Council Item No. 5CITY OF
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` DREAM EXTREMEn
REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR
AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: ROBERT A. BRADY
CITY MANAGER
DATE: JANUARY 26, 2010
SUBJECT: NOTICE TO THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF WATER
RESOURCES REGARDING THE CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE'S
ADOPTION OF AN UPDATED WATER EFFICIENT
LANDSCAPING ORDINANCE
Background
On December 22, 2009, the City Council adopted Ordinance No. 1269, an Ordinance
approving Text Amendment No. 2008-04 repealing the existing Chapter 19.08 and
replacing in its entirety a new Chapter 19.08 for water efficient landscaping (WRCOG
Model). Ordinance No. 1269 satisfies the City's obligations under Assembly Bill 1881
which requires all cities in California to adopt the State's Model Efficient Landscape
Ordinance or an ordinance that is as effective in the conservation of water as the State
Model Ordinance.
In lieu of the State's Model Ordinance, the City Council elected to adopt the Local Model
Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (the "Local Model Ordinance") prepared by the
Riverside County Water Task Force ("Task Force") and endorsed by the Western
Riverside Council of Governments ('WRCOG")
The primary benefit of adopting the Local Model Ordinance is that it is tailored to better
serve the unique regional needs and circumstances of cities within Western Riverside
County. The Local Model Ordinance allows for uniform implementation of water
efficient landscaping across Riverside County's many jurisdictions. In addition, the
Local Model Ordinance eases the burdens and costs on new development by providing
a single set of regional standards. Based on the staff report and information presented
by the Task Force to WRCOG, the Planning Commission and the City Council, Local
Model Ordinance is just as effective in conserving water as the State Model Ordinance
and meets all requirements for water efficiency requirements as outlined in AB 1881.
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Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance
January 26, 2010
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Discussion
The final step that the City must take to comply with Assembly Bill 1881 is to notify the
Department of Water Resources (DWR) of the City's adoption of Ordinance No. 1269.
Attached is a draft letter to DWR providing notice to DWR that the City has adopted
Ordinance No. 1269. Along with the draft letter, staff will transmit to DWR a copy of
Ordinance No. 1269 and supporting documentation.
Fiscal Impact
None.
Recommendation
Authorize the City Manager to send a letter, with supporting documentation, in
substantially the form attached, on behalf of the City Council notifying the
California Department of Water Resources of the City's adoption of Ordinance
No. 1269.
Prepared by: Barbara Leibold
City Attorney
Approved by: Robert A. Brady
City Manager
Attachment A: Proposed letter to DWR
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January 27, 2010
Via USPS
Mr. Simon Eching
California Department of Water Resources
Water Use and Efficiency Branch
Post Office Box 942836
Sacramento, California 94236-0001
Re: Notice of City's Adoption of a Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance
Dear Mr. Eching:
On December 22, 2009, in satisfaction of its obligations under Assembly Bill 1881, the
City Council for the City of Lake Elsinore adopted Ordinance No. 1269, an ordinance
approving Text Amendment No. 2008-04 repealing the existing Chapter 19.08 of the
Lake Elsinore Municipal Code and replacing in its entirety a new Chapter 19.08 for
water efficient landscaping (WRCOG Model).
In accordance with Government Code Section 65597, the purpose of this letter is to
notify you that:
(1) the City of Lake Elsinore elected to adopt the Local Model Water Efficient
Landscape Ordinance prepared by the Riverside County Water Task Force and
endorsed by the Western Riverside Council of Governments In lieu of the Department of
Water Resources' updated model ordinance ("State Model Ordinance"), and
(2) Ordinance No. 1269 is as effective at conserving water as the State Model
Ordinance.
Enclosed are a true and correct copy of Ordinance No. 1269, City Council Staff Report
and related documents which contain the City's findings and evidence that Ordinance
No. 1269 is at least as effective at conserving water as the State Model Ordinance.
Please contact me if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Robert A. Brady
City Manager
cc: Mayor Melendez and City Council
Tom Weiner, Community Development Director
Barbara Leibold, City Attorney
Enclosures
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