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AN ORDINANCE AMENDING COMMERCE CITY LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE ARTICLE VII DIVISION 5 AND ARTICLE XI DIVISION 2 TO EXPAND PERMITTED AREAS FOR XERIC LANDSCAPING PRACTICES
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Summary and Background Information:
On July 10, 2023, staff debriefed Council on the Growing Water Smart Workshop and held a preliminary xeriscaping discussion with Council. As a result of that presentation, Council approved a motion seeking to pause review and approval of all landscaping permits that pertain to xeriscaping for a period of 90-days until regulations could be established. Staff had a follow up discussion scheduled for October 9, 2023, but this was postponed until after the new year on a 6-1 vote. Staff also sought direction from Council on a number of xeric topics during a Study Session on April 8, 2024.
Since then, staff has looked at xeriscaping regulations in other municipalities to prepare suggested improvements to the current regulations around xeriscaping in Commerce City. Suggestions for improvement include increased standards for xeriscaping ranging from plant and irrigation standards, processes for approval and inspections, and expanding areas within the City than can utilize xeric landscaping practices. Staff has drafted amendments to the Land Development Code for Council’s review; of note, the proposed changes allow alternatives to traditional turf, expand the areas xeriscape principles can be used, and offer greater flexibility in irrigation requirements. The amendments were presented to the Planning Commission on June 4, 2024, no feedback was received. The amendments were also reviewed by the South Adams County Water District and the South Adams County Fire Department.
Also worth noting, on March 11, 2024, the Colorado State Legislature passed SB24-005, a bill that prohibits certain landscaping practices in an effort to conserve water. Beginning in 2026, the bill will prohibit local governments from allowing the installation, planting, or placement of nonfu...
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