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  • Draft Proposals: March 8, 2023

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    As of March 8, 2023, the draft proposals being considered are:

    Proposal 1. Limit cool-season grass (turf) in new development and redevelopment

    • Commercial properties: Total property no greater than 30% turf
      1. No single turf area less than 300 sq ft
      2. Total turf area no greater than 10,000 sq ft (exceptions may apply)
    • Residential properties: Front yards no greater than 30% turf area
      1. No single turf area less than 300 sq ft
      2. Total turf area no greater than 1,000 sq ft
    • Revise existing code language to clearly restrict synthetic turf
      1. Pair with an educational campaign about alternatives to synthetic turf


    Proposal 2. Expand irrigation efficiency standards

    • Require dedicated (drip) irrigation to trees in new development and redevelopment
    • Extend high-efficiency equipment and design standards to new residential properties
    • Restrict overhead watering from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (exceptions may apply)


    Proposal 3. Increase flexibility, compliance, and enforcement in existing soil amendment code

    • Exceptions for location, project size, and plant type
      1. Soil amendments to be used minimally or not at all near waterways
      2. Soil amendments to be used minimally or not at all for native plants
      3. No documentation to verify certification required for areas less than 1,000 square feet
    • Expand eligibility for temporary waivers and allow alternatives to tilling
      1. Aeration or other suitable no-till method as alternative to tilling for areas where compaction did not occur and planned landscape meets criteria (i.e., existing vegetation to remain, container plantings, plug installations, over seeding application, or xeriscape retrofitting as examples)
      2. Existing trees that are to remain will have their own soil-loosening guidelines
      3. Temporary soil waivers may be used in the event of 1) weather and 2) misalignment in Certificate of Occupancy timeline between the builder and the party who oversees the landscaping
    • Incorporate best practices into soil amendment guidelines
      1. Topsoil, as confirmed by soil testing, can be stored using best practices for plans to reapply to the site; subgrade still to be loosened
        1. If topsoil definition is not met, soil can still be stockpiled and reincorporated once appropriate amendment has been applied to remedy the deficiencies.
        2. If no soil test occurred, soil amendment shall be thoroughly incorporated at a rate of at least 3 cubic yards per 1,000 square feet
      2. New and existing trees require only soil loosening, not soil amendment
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  • Project Background

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    Fort Collins City Council has identified two priorities for Utilities’ Water Conservation staff to develop solutions for:

    14. Effective soil amendment policies and compliance (water usage)

    19. Xeriscape – Increase rebates and education, less green lawns with new development

    As future water supplies become increasingly uncertain, our community can grow more resilient by reducing its water needs. Roughly 40% of our annual water consumption goes to outdoor irrigation. By reducing the water needed for landscapes, increasing the efficiency of irrigation systems, and improving soil health, our community can significantly reduce its water consumption. Utilities staff is considering ways to expand xeriscape principles into City code while evaluating our current soil amendment standard.

    Xeriscaping can reduce the water applied to a landscape while increasing pollinator habitat, increasing biodiversity, and improving soil health. Xeriscaping is different than Zeroscaping. Zeroscapes are typically rockscapes devoid of life. Xeriscapes on the other hand, are thoughtfully designed, water-wise and resilient landscapes that incorporate soil health considerations. If you're interested in learning more, please read about the Seven Principles of Xeriscape.

    A soil amendment is any material (i.e., compost) added to improve the soil's physical properties. Soil amendment standards exist to enhance soil water storage capacity, improve conditions for plant growth, and reduce water runoff.