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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPurissima Hills Water District (17)TOWN`: OF LOS ALTOS HILLS January 20, 2000 Staff Report to the City Council RE: REQUEST FROM PURISSIMA HILLS WATER DISTRICT TO REVIEW LANDSCAPE PLANS FOR CONFORMANCE WITH WATER DISTRICT GUIDELINES FROM: Curtis S. Williams, Planning DireVtc}41 RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council: Direct the staff to refer landscape plans to the Water District for review and comment prior to site development hearings, and determine whether to initiate a policy requiring compliance with District landscape guidelines. DISCUSSION The Purissima Hills Water District (PHWD) has recently provided the City Council with background information regarding water usage and possible future water shortages. The District has also developed draft guidelines for landscaping using water conserving plants, generally native to the area (attached). The guidelines include limiting landscape plantings such that a minimum of one-third (1/3) of the site vegetation would be drought - tolerant species, and that moderate water -use plantings and high water -use landscaping each be limited not to exceed one-third of the site, or 10,000 square feet, whichever is less. On January 12, 2000, the District Board voted (letter attached) to request that the City Council adopt a policy requiring that applications for landscape screening review be referred to the District staff to review the plans for compliance with the landscape guidelines. The District comments would be provided in a timely manner to be incorporated as requirements of applicants when Town staff conducts a site development hearing. Staff IMpacts Staff anticipates that distribution of the guidelines and forwarding plans to the District staff for comments would cause little delay in the review process and would require minimal staff time. Staff also believes that the guidelines would be relatively easy to meet, if an applicant desired to do so. A Council policy (or an ordinance) would need to be adopted, however, to effectuate a mandatory requirement to comply with the District's landscape guidelines. This would entail staff preparation of the policy (or ordinance), and at least one public hearing (Planning Commission review and hearing would also be required for an ordinance amendment). If compliance were mandatory, Town staff would then be responsible for assuring that the District's recommendations are implemented during site development review. Staff requests that the Council provide direction regarding this item. Staff expects that representatives from the Water District will be in attendance at the Council meeting to respond to questions. January 12, 2000: Purissima Hills Water District Page 2 Attachment January 12, 2000 Letter from Purissima Hills Water District Board PHWD Draft Landscaping Guidelines 26375 Fremont Road Tel (650) 948-1217 Los Altos Hills, CA 94022 Fax (650) 948-0961 Purissima Hills Water District January 13, 2000 Mr. Mark Miller, City Manager Town of Los Altos Hills 23679 Fremont Road Los Altos Hills, California 94022 Dear Mark: Subject: Purissima Hills Water District Landscaping Guidelines— Adoption by City Council The Purissima Hills Water District (PHWD) is proposing that the Town of Los Altos Hills adopt a policy incorporating District guidelines for all projects requiring landscaping plans. This would apply to all residents in Los Altos Hills and not just to those in our District. We will also be working with our own customers to reduce high water usage. PHWD will provide all services at no additional cost to the Town or the applicant and will commit to meet reasonable timelines. While we would like to work with the Town staff for specific implementation, the concept of plan flow is as follows: • Guidelines, which will steer new landscape design, will be included with the Town's application packet. Reference materials will be made available upon request. • Landscaping plans will be submitted to the District by the applicant. • The District will review plans and work with the applicant to achieve these guidelines. • Landscaping plans that comply with the guidelines will then be forwarded to the Site Development Authority. • Landscaping plans that satisfy the guidelines shall be considered a condition of approval. • The applicant may file an appeal in accordance with the Town's applicable procedures. • Implementation of the plans will follow the Town's normal inspection approval process. Service To The Hills Since 1955 'Mr. Mark Miller, City Manager January 13, 2000 Page 2 Landscaping guidelines offer the following significant benefits: • Give fair warning of the Bay Area water situation so that the homeowner can evaluate the risk of their landscaping investment. • Reduce Town -wide water usage to help sustain all landscaping in a drought. • Enhance the community's negotiating position to access additional water during a shortage. • Act as a public relations tool that can help reverse the Town's "Water Wasters" image. Thank you for your help in this very important matter. Sincerely, Patrick Walter General Manager PURISSIMA HILLS WATER DISTRICT 26375 FREMONT ROAD LOS ALTOS HILLS CA 94022 650/948-1217 650/948-0961 FAX January 11, 2000 Dear Customer: Purissima Hills Water District needs your help. Perhaps you read it in the December 29, 1999, issue of the Palo Alto Daily or saw the interviews and commentary on Channels 4 and 5 that evening. The District is 20% over its allotment. What this means is that we, the consumer/owners, are using 20% more Hetch Hetchy water than we were allocated back in 1981 in an agreement with the other purchasers of Hetch Hetchy water. When water is plentiful, our 20% overrun is not a problem—we use about 1.5% of the total sold to the other purchasers. However, when water supplies become scarce during drought or in the face of increased demand due to population growth throughout the region, then that 20% becomes significant. The planning scenario for drought includes a 33% reduction in our allotment and severe penalties for exceeding that reduced level. To mitigate the impacts of future water shortages, the District is pursuing a multi -faceted approach including both water conservation and supply enhancement. The focus of this letter is conservation. Demonstrating a commitment to conservation will enhance the District's ability to negotiate for additional water from the other water supply entities. Water conservation is feasible in this District because 80% to 85% of our dry season (summer) water use is to irrigate landscaping. Judicious selection of plants and watering methods can reduce water use. This is most easily done during landscaping design for a new home or for a home being extensively remodeled. In this regard, Purissima Hills Water District has drafted a set of guidelines to promote water conservation and has asked the City Council to incorporate them in the planning process. The guidelines would apply to new homes and extensive remodels and would follow a straightforward formula. A draft of the guidelines is enclosed. The guidelines will be on the agenda before the City Council at their meeting on Thursday, January 20. The meeting starts at 6:00 p.m. Your presence is welcome. Purissima Hills Water District needs your help. Please contact the Council and ask that they take a favorable position on the guidelines. Comments can be sent to the Council members in care of Pat Dowd, City Clerk, at Los Altos Hills Town Hall, 26379 Fremont Road, 94022, or pdowd@losaltoshills.ca.gov, at any time up to 5:00 p.m. on the day of the meeting. To be included in the meeting packet for each Council member, written communications should be sent or faxed (650/941-3160) to Pat Dowd no later than 5:00 p.m., Thursday, January 13. Thank you. Enclosure Board of Directors Purissima Hills Water District JANET M. FENWICK, PRESIDENT • ERNEST SOLOMON, VICE PRESIDENT DANIEL ALEXANDER • ROBERT R. BUSS s MAURICE R. JOHNSON PURISSIMA HILLS WATER DISTRICT LANDSCAPING GUIDELINES PURPOSE The purpose of these Guidelines is: • to promote water -efficient landscaping; • to mitigate future drought impacts, and • to support the State of California's (AB325). INTRODUCTION water conservation requirements The Purissima Hills Water District (PHWD), which serves about two-thirds of Los Altos Hills, is concerned about the sufficiency of water supplies available to serve the needs of the growing population in the Bay Area. The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission's (SFPUC) Hetch Hetchy system is the sole source of supply for PHWD. The system has a limited capacity. Development of new sources of water is difficult, would take decades to complete and is extremely expensive. The 35% rate increase in the price of water that the SFPUC imposed in July 1999 is evidence that our water will continue to get more expensive. The District's per capita water use is double that of the rest of the Bay Area. During the dry season, the District is over its allocation, set by the Bay Area Water Users Association, by as much as 20%. Eighty-five percent of the total water used by our customers is for landscaping. During drought, a 20% Hetch Hetchy system -wide reduction could result in a 33% reduction to PHWD customers. Conservation, including the use of water efficient landscaping, insulates against water shortages which result in landscaping losses and penalty rates, stretches the existing supply and lowers monthly bills. Conservation measures also demonstrate that our District is trying to do its part to save water and reduce water waste, which places us in a much better position politically to negotiate additional supplies. (_TTTTIF.T.TTTF! C General Landscape area is that portion of a property utilizing plants, such as trees, shrubs, and ground covers, and all agricultural and ornamental uses of water including pools, ponds, and fountains. Hardscape is not included in the calculations shown below. PHWD shall review landscape plans for all new residences and for landscape modifications exceeding 10,000 square feet. Comments will be submitted by PHWD to the Los Altos Hills Site Development Authority during the planning process as to conformance with the Guidelines. Exceptions to this provision may be granted where private well water is used for irrigation. Water Use The following guidelines apply to all landscape plans: • Low water -use plants should occupy at least 33% of the landscape area and require minimal water once established. • Moderate water -use plants should be limited to no more than 33% of the total landscape area or 10,000 square feet, whichever is less. • The combined high water -use landscaping, including plantings, turf and/or water area (i.e. pools, ponds and fountains), should be limited to 34% of the landscape area or 10,000 square feet, whichever is less. 01/11/00 December 30, 1999 Mr. Patrick Walter, General Manager Purissima Hills Water District 26375 Fremont Road Los Altos Hills, CA 94022 Dear Mr. Walter: Re: Participation in Regional Water Efficiency Programs J EXPWY 5118-3686 265-2600 266-0271 St. cCA. us ruN CUUAL UITUMUNtTY EMPLOYER I am writing in response to a recent discussion you had with Michael Roloff of our Water Conservation Unit regarding your organization's interest in working together with Santa Clara Valley Water District to encourage water efficiency in Los Altos Hills. I would like to express to you the District's commitment to developing a joint effort with Purissima Hills Water District in this cause. I believe a partnership offers opportunities to provide cost-effective programs that comply with the California Urban Water Conservation Council's Best Management Practices to Los Altos Hills customers. In particular, I believe we can work together to provide services that encourage water use efficiency among your highest tier residential water users, a customer segment you have identified as an important focus for future conservation efforts. Please contact Hossein Ashktorab, Water Conservation Unit, at (408) 265-2607 Ext. 2291, to schedule a meeting to begin working out the details of our joint effort. Sincerely, 4-L Walter L. Wadlow Assistant General Manager/Water Utility ♦s,+ recycled paper `P�'�FD4ti'i CALIFORNIA WATER SERVICE COMPANY LOS ALTOS SUBURBAN DISTRICT 949 B STREET • LOS ALTOS, CA 94024.6002 • (A]5)917-0152 6q SFR`I��� January 11, 2000 Honorable Town Council Town of Los Altos Hills 26379 Fremont Rd. Los Altos, Ca 94022 Re: Consideration of Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance Dear Honorable Councilmembers, California Water Service Company (Cal Water) is pleased to provide any support or assistance that the Town of Los Altos Hills may require as it considers the development and implementation of any ordinances related to the efficient use of water on landscapes. Cal Water has been active in promoting water use efficiency throughout its operating systems for many years. In 1991, Cal Water signed the Memorandum of Understanding Regarding Urban Water Conservation in California (MOU). Signatories to the MOU recognized the increasing need to use water more efficiently throughout California, and voluntarily agreed to implement various Best Management Practices (BMPs). BMPs are "established and generally accepted practice (s) among water suppliers results in more efficient use or conservation of water." Research indicates that at least half of all potable water consumed in the residential sector in used outdoors. As a result, several BMPs incorporate practices that assist in the efficient use of water on landscape. Additionally, in 1992, California Assembly Bill 325 became effective which required that all local jurisdictions either: establish a water efficient landscape ordinance; determine that there is no local need for such an ordinance; or implement the Statewide Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance. We are available to answer any questions or to provide assistance on this issue. Please contact me at (650) 917-0920. Sincerely, Ron Richardson District Manager Cc: Patrick Walter — Purissima Hills Water District DISTRICT OFFICES; BAKERSFIELD • BEAR GULCH • CHICO • DIXON • EAST LOS ANGELES • HERMOSAAEDONDO • KING CITY • LIVERMORE • LOS ALTOS SUBURBAN MARYSVILLE • OROVILLE • PALOS VERDES • SALINAS • MID -PENINSULA • SELMA • SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO • STOCKTON • VISALIA • WESTLAKE • WILLOWS January 13, 2000 Honorable Town Council Town of Los Altos Hills 23679 Fremont Road Los Altos Hills, California 94022 Dear Honorable Council Members: Subject: Water Efficient Landscape Guidelines Ordinance EN EXPWY 95118-3686 8) 265-2600 ) 266-0271 dst.ca.us AN EOUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER I'm writing to express Santa Clara Valley Water District's (District) support for water conservation efforts of Purissima Hills Water District and to encourage Los Altos Hills Town Council to adopt a strong water efficient landscaping ordinance. As the water management agency and primary water supply wholesaler in Santa Clara County, we work closely with cities, towns, and water retailers in the county toward sound water supply planning and management to meet current and future needs determined in our Integrated Water Resources Plan (IWRP). Because about half the water supply that meets the needs of the county is imported, it is especially important that we use it wisely. The Federal Central Valley Project Improvement Act includes requirements that Central Valley Project water supply contractors such as the District, develop and implement a water conservation plan that includes water efficient landscaping and a number of other key elements. The District works with cities, towns, and water retailers to implement these and other provisions. In addition, there are a number of important state requirements for water conservation. At the highest level, the state constitution includes certain prohibitions of waste or unreasonable use of water. Also, when AB 325 was passed in 1991, all cities in California were required to adopt water efficient landscape regulations at least as effective as a model ordinance developed by the State Department of Water Resources. Over the past several years we have worked in cooperation with many cities in Santa Clara County to enact local landscaping ordinances to meet the requirement of AB 325. When fully implemented, water efficient landscaping guidelines are an important tool for effectively managing an important limited resource. The District's Integrated Water Resources Plan anticipates a county -wide demand reduction of 19,500 acre-feet per year by the year 2020 as a result of AB 325 implementation and through residential landscape efficiency education, training, and incentives. %01 recycled paper Honorable Town Council 2. January 1.3, 2000 We have found through our Irrigation Technical Assistance Program (TTAP) and other landscape programs that most customers are receptive to suggestions regarding landscape water efficiency. One of the commercial customers who participated in ITAP recently noted that they have saved over $10,000 as a result of implementing our auditor's recommendations for irrigation system and scheduling improvements. If you or your staff would like further information about the Santa Clara Valley Water District's water efficient landscaping efforts, contact Karen Kianpour, Water Conservation Program Manager, (408) 265-2607, x2492. Sincerely, za,�A)�)Jt � Keith Whitman Executive Project Manager Integrated Water Resources Plan cc: Patrick Walter Purrissima Hills Water District 26375 West Fremont Road Los Altos Hills, CA 94022 January 13, 2000 Honorable Town Council �� CIS /11, Town of Los Altos Hills 23679 Fremont Road Los Altos Hills, California 94022 Dear Honorable Council Members: Subject: Water Efficient Landscape Guidelines Ordinance LMADEN EXPWY E, CA 95118-3686 JE (408) 265-2600 E (408) 266-0271 :vwd.dst.ca. us OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER I'm writing to express Santa Clara Valley Water District's (District) support for water conservation efforts of Purissima Hills Water District and to encourage Los Altos Hills Town Council to adopt a strong water efficient landscaping ordinance. As the water management agency and primary water supply wholesaler in Santa Clara County, we work closely with cities, towns, and water retailers in the county toward sound water supply planning and management to meet current and future needs determined in our Integrated Water Resources Plan (IWRP). Because about half the water supply that meets the needs of the county is imported, it is especially important that we use it wisely. The Federal Central Valley Project Improvement Act includes requirements that Central Valley Project water supply contractors such as the District, develop and implement a water conservation plan that includes water efficient landscaping and a number of other key elements. The District works with cities, towns, and water retailers to implement these and other provisions. In addition, there are a number of important state requirements for water conservation. At the highest level, the state constitution includes certain prohibitions of waste or unreasonable use of water. Also, when AB 325 was passed in 1991, all cities in California were required to adopt water efficient landscape regulations at least as effective as a model ordinance developed by the State Department of Water Resources. Over the past several years we have worked in cooperation with many cities in Santa Clara County to enact local landscaping ordinances to meet the requirement of AB 325. When fully implemented, water efficient landscaping guidelines are an important tool for effectively managing an important limited resource. The District's Integrated Water Resources Plan anticipates a county -wide demand reduction of 19,500 acre-feet per year by the year 2020 as a result of AB 325 implementation and through residential landscape efficiency education, training, and incentives. It'.4, recycled paper Honorable Town Council 2 January 13, 2000 We have found through our Irrigation Technical Assistance Program (ITAP) and other landscape programs that most customers are receptive to suggestions regarding landscape water efficiency. One of the commercial customers who participated in ITAP recently noted that they have saved over $10,000 as a result of implementing our auditor's recommendations for irrigation system and scheduling improvements. If you or your staff would like further information about the Santa Clara Valley Water District's water efficient landscaping efforts, contact Karen Kianpour, Water Conservation Program Manager, (408) 265-2607, x2492. Sincerely, a Keith Whitman Executive Project Manager Integrated Water Resources Plan cc: Patrick Walter Purrissima Hills Water District 26375 West Fremont Road Los Altos Hills, CA 94022 Gregory Zlotnick, District Board Chair, District 5, Walt Wadlow, Karen Kianpour