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irrigation systems, along with timing of use
<br />and restrictions on water waste, can all be
<br />specified in a zoning code. At the most basic,
<br />irrigation standards should be designed to
<br />prevent runoff, overspray, and drainage that
<br />flows onto impervious areas.
<br />This requirement can be enhanced, as it
<br />is in Riverside, California, with standards for
<br />smart irrigation controllers, the use of nonpo-
<br />table water, separate valves for different plant-
<br />ing areas, measurements of water pressure and
<br />flow, use of drip -line or low-volume systems
<br />in specific locations, and use of rain -sensing
<br />devices (§19.57o.o3o). Additionally, some com-
<br />munities, such as Colorado Springs, Colorado,
<br />also require plants "with similar water needs
<br />within each site microclimate (i.e., shade, west
<br />facing, toe of slope, etc.)" to be grouped in
<br />hydrozones to allow greater watering efficiency
<br />(§7.4.312.E).
<br />Using Water Available On -Site. Where
<br />permitted by law, landscaping should be
<br />designed to make the best use of water avail-
<br />able on the site. This might include the use of
<br />nonpotable, graywater systems and rainwater
<br />harvesting. According to the Albuquerque Ber-
<br />nalilto County Water Utility Authority, a smooth
<br />roof surface on a 3,000 -square -foot home
<br />can shed more than 12,000 gallons of water
<br />per year (2010). Reducing the use of impervi-
<br />ous surfaces and replacing those surfaces
<br />with pervious materials also allows rainwater
<br />to infiltrate on the site and can reduce the
<br />amount of potable water used for irrigation
<br />purposes. Additionally, the use of low -impact
<br />development techniques can help to preserve
<br />or restore the natural flow and infiltration of
<br />water on a site.
<br />Identifying Regulatory Barriers. While
<br />making water -specific changes to the land
<br />development regulations, local planning staff
<br />should also consider changes to related regu-
<br />lations that may be necessary, such as per-
<br />mitting water collection systems in side -yard
<br />setbacks, changing required materials stan-
<br />dards for driveways and parking areas, and
<br />prohibiting private development covenants
<br />from restricting water conservation measures.
<br />Water Conservation Ordinances. Some
<br />communities use more holistic water conser-
<br />vation ordinances to regulate a group of water
<br />issues, such as conservation measures in new
<br />construction along with the design of irriga-
<br />tion systems. Petaluma, California, for exam-
<br />ple, has water conservation regulations in the
<br />municipal code that include indoor water use
<br />U.S. Department of Agriculture
<br />Native plant landscaping in Montana.
<br />development standards (such as flow levels
<br />in shower heads), requirements for water
<br />recycling in car wash facilities, landscape
<br />water -use efficiency standards, water budgets
<br />for irrigation systems, and water -waste prohi-
<br />bitions (§§15.17.o3o—o7o). Santa Fe County,
<br />New Mexico, uses its water conservation or-
<br />dinance to cover outdoor water conservation,
<br />indoor conservation, conservation signage
<br />(education), water metering, wastewater and
<br />fugitive water (§§51.o1-99). The Chicago Met-
<br />ropolitan Agency for Planning has prepared
<br />Some communities
<br />use more holistic water
<br />conservation ordinances
<br />to regulate a group of
<br />water issues, such as
<br />conservation measures in
<br />new construction along
<br />with the design of irrigation
<br />systems.
<br />a model that provides regulatory standards
<br />and supporting commentary for a wide range
<br />of subjects that can be addressed in a water
<br />conservation ordinance (2010).
<br />PUDs and Master Planned Communities
<br />Planned unit developments (PUDs) and
<br />master planned communities are designed
<br />and submitted for development approval as
<br />complete developments. Most local govern-
<br />ments look carefully at the street layout, open
<br />space provisions, and mix of housing styles.
<br />Local governments can also review the devel-
<br />opment applications for water conservation
<br />design, preferably through a specific water
<br />conservation review requirement included
<br />in the PUD approval criteria. For example,
<br />Cochise County, Arizona, requires alt uses
<br />in a rezoning application subject to master
<br />development plan approval to demonstrate
<br />compliance with the water conservation
<br />policies in the county's comprehensive plan
<br />and the approved master development plan
<br />(§2208.o3.B.12).
<br />A number of large master planned de-
<br />velopments have been approved in the past
<br />10 or 15 years that include water conservation
<br />design, including the Stapleton neighborhood
<br />in Denver; Sterling Ranch in Douglas County,
<br />Colorado; Civano in Tucson, Arizona; and Ran-
<br />cho Viejo and Oshara Village in Santa Fe, New
<br />Mexico (Beckwith 2009).
<br />CONCLUSIONS
<br />How can your community get started with new
<br />or improved regulations for water conservation?
<br />As always, look first at your comprehensive
<br />plan. The identification of local goals and poli-
<br />cies for making the link between land use and
<br />water conservation establishes the framework
<br />for regulations and should answer questions
<br />about why and how these changes benefit the
<br />community in the long run. With a plan in place,
<br />review both zoning and subdivision regulations
<br />to find options for the creation of smaller lots,
<br />vertical mixed use development, and infill de-
<br />velopment, all of which should be geared to-
<br />ward a more compact development pattern with
<br />reduced landscaping requirements. Next, look
<br />at the current landscaping regulations to find
<br />ZONINGPRACTICE 9.1.5
<br />AMERICAN PLANNING ASSOCIATIONIpage 6'
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