§ 25-2-1008. IRRIGATION REQUIREMENTS.

(A)

An area equal to at least 50% of the total required landscaped area on a project must:

(1)

be undisturbed natural area(s) or undisturbed existing trees with no potable irrigation; or

(2)

be irrigated by stormwater runoff conveyed from impervious surfaces on the site using one or more of the following methods:

(a)

overland flow;

(b)

storm drains;

(c)

downspouts;

(d)

rainwater harvesting;

(e)

retention-irrigation; or

(f)

other methods of conveyance as prescribed by rule.

(B)

The drainage area used to irrigate under Subsection (A) must be calculated to provide sufficient water for the landscaped area, as prescribed by rule.

(C)

Unless the landscaped area under Subsection (A) is being designed as a water quality control under Section 25-8-211, the drainage area used to irrigate the landscaped area:

(1)

may not include impervious areas on which the land use or activities may generate highly contaminated runoff, as prescribed by rule; and

(2)

may not include impervious areas used for parking or driving of vehicles if located within the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone as defined in Section 25-8-2.

(D)

No permanent irrigation is required for all or a portion of a required landscaped area that consists of:

(1)

undisturbed natural area; or

(2)

undisturbed existing trees;

(E)

In addition to irrigation meeting the requirements of Subsection (A), supplemental irrigation using irrigation methods described in Subsection (F) is required:

(1)

for the first two growing seasons for all or a portion of a newly planted required landscaped area without permanent irrigation;

(2)

permanently for all newly planted trees in a required landscape area; and

(3)

as prescribed by rule for all newly planted required landscaping located in medians, islands, or peninsulas.

(F)

Irrigation required under subsection (E) may be provided only by one or more of the methods described below:

(1)

an automatic irrigation system;

(2)

a hose attachment, if:

(a)

the hose attachment is within 100 feet of the landscaped area or plant; and

(b)

there is not a road or parking pavement between the hose attachment and the landscaped area or plan; or

(3)

a temporary, above ground automatic irrigation system, if the system complies with the water conservation requirements in the Environmental Criteria Manual.

(G)

An irrigation method must:

(1)

provide a moisture level adequate to sustain growth of the plant materials on a permanent basis;

(2)

unless fiscal security is provided to the City for the installation of the system, be operational at the time of the final landscape inspection; and

(3)

be maintained and kept operational.

(H)

A site plan must show:

(1)

the drainage area(s) used to irrigate under Subsection (A), including notation of the land uses on impervious areas within the drainage area(s);

(2)

the nature and location of an irrigation system; and

(3)

that there is no disturbance to the critical root zone of an existing tree.

(I)

The director may grant an administrative variance to the requirements in this Section. An applicant for a variance must demonstrate that:

(1)

strict compliance with this Section is infeasible due to unique site conditions including but not limited to topography, size, shape, and location of existing features such as trees or previous development; and

(2)

the proposed irrigation plan is the minimal departure from the requirements of this Section.

Source: Section 13-7-62; Ord. 990225-70; Ord. 031211-11; Ord. 20101216-097.