As part of the city’s efforts to update the Unified Development Code – which dictates building standards – proposed landscaping changes would place heavier emphasis on water conservation and native plants.
At the June 11 city council workshop, Planning Director Sofia Nelson presented potential updates to current landscaping city code. This would include changes to regulations on putting in artificial turf, moving to more native landscaping and using landscaping methods to promote water conservation.
The city’s landscaping code aims to protect the environmental, aesthetic and ecological qualities of Georgetown, according to the city. This includes promoting plants that require low water, are drought-tolerant and that contribute to water retention, air purification and oxygen regeneration. These codes apply to all properties in the city limits.
The water conservation portion of the city’s code also pertains to the use of low-water landscaping to “reduce dependence on irrigation.” This applies to all water customers and private well owners in the city’s water service area. “[The city’s water service area] is a much larger territory than just the city limits,” Ms. Nelson said.
Proposed changes to the UDC would update the city’s preferred plant lists, look at delaying plantings during the hot months, provide rainwater collection opportunities, reevaluate the allowance of St. Augustine shade grass, give alternative options for plants in gateway corridors and put limitations on the amount of grass planted.
These changes would encourage xeriscaping, native plants adapted to Texas droughts and would provide water saving and recycling opportunities to residents to have more potable water for everyday use.
The applicability of these codes would include single-family and two-family developments, according to Ms. Nelson.
Letting the fake grass grow
The city’s stance on artificial turf as a grass substitute was discussed heavily. All council members agreed to explore options and look at suggestions from city staff.
Compared to traditional lawns, artificial turf reduces water use and could save residents maintenance costs and efforts overtime.
Council members Shawn Hood and Jake French expressed support for the idea, but also said that the city's need to consider the long-term implications of artificial turf.
“Just like anything you buy in life, there’s always good, better, best,” Mr. Hood said. “If we’re not using a high quality synthetic turf and we allow that to go in [yards], are we creating a potential liability for ourselves five years from now, 10 years from now because the UV is going to destroy that turf?”
Brett Chotkevys, a Georgetown resident, spoke to the council about the benefits he’s seen putting artificial turf in his yard since his yard doesn’t get much sun. He showed the council a patch of turf he used in his yard and detailed how his neighbors and kids love it.
“Like many Georgetownians, I have two big trees in my front yard and I cannot grow grass to save my life. It has been years of dirt,” Mr. Chotkevys said. “If I could grow grass I think that would be amazing, but I cannot. I would ask that you would consider another option in the front yard for people like me who cannot grow grass and also provide a tip for best practices.”
Looking at non-residential code
A different set of landscaping standards apply to projects like multi-family housing and commercial uses. There are five categories: street yard landscaping, parking lot landscaping, gateway landscaping, buffer yards and screening.
Ms. Nelson told the council these landscaping standards would be in effect for sites like Target, H-E-B and Wolf Crossing.
For all of the categories, landscaping expectations like the number of trees and shrubs required are often based on the landscape area’s size and location. Trees or bushes in these areas could provide shade, offer ornamental features and could minimize noise and light pollution.
Who’s in charge: City versus HOA rules
Council Member Ben Steward asked if the city or individual Homeowners Associations held authority when it came to landscaping rules.
The ultimate authority rests with the city and city code, Ms. Nelson said.
City Manager David Morgan said the city is looking at ways to clarify that authority to help homeowners understand local rules. Possible clarifications are being discussed by the city’s legislative task force, and recommendations will then be brought to the council for future consideration.
“Right now, homeowners have to comply with both, so when [city and HOA rules] conflict, it creates a challenge,” he said.
Mayor suggests no rules is the best rule
After hearing proposals for changes to landscaping requirements that would be written into the city’s Unified Development Code, Georgetown Mayor Josh Schroeder made what he called a “radical” suggestion to get rid of landscaping requirements.
“We have tried to code landscaping over the last 30 or 40 years, and I think we need to do away with our landscaping requirements and let the market take care of it,” Mr. Schroeder said.
He said the city’s water rates will naturally manage trees, grass and vegetation residents and developers are willing to use because the cost to maintain certain gardens may be prohibitive.
“When we start talking about dictating minimum landscaping requirements, we’re literally getting into details that we’re driving up costs, we’re going to have unintended consequences on water,” he said.
He said he thought home builders associations were going to be better than the city when it comes to adapting to changes in the economy and what plants work or don’t work in a given area.
“We are at a radical time and place with water. I think we’re going to need to be much more nimble [than a code would allow] when we start mandating minimum landscaping requirements,” Mr. Schroeder said.
He said he would be in favor of only setting maximums on things like artificial turf and prohibiting things the city knows would not be good for conservation.
The proposal made by Mr. Schroeder he said was of his own opinion and council members didn’t have to agree with him.
🌳The city’s preferred plant list 🌳
The City of Georgetown geographically has two different landscape types, dividing the eastern and western portion of the city. The Edwards Plateau in the western portion of the city has more rocky soil. The Blackland Prairie in the eastern part of the city has a richer, black soil.
The plants listed below are a part of the city’s preferred plant list. The plants may fare better depending on whether they are native to the Edwards Plateau region or Blackland Prairie region. This is not an exhaustive list. The entire list can be found at https://tinyurl.com/yc2ze4zu.
- Texas Ash, Edwards Plateau
- American Elm, N/A
- Southern Magnolia, N/A
- Bur Oak tree, Edwards Plateau/Blackland Prairie
- Pecan tree, Blackland Prairie
- Texas Little Walnut tree, Texas
- Arroyo Sweetwood tree, N/A
- Mexican Buckeye tree, Edwards Plateau
- Crape Myrtle, N/A
- Mexican Plum tree, Edwards Plateau/Blackland Prairie
- Primrose Jasmine, N/A
- Upright Rosemary, N/A
- Texas Sage, Texas
- Blue Agave, N/A
- Knockout Roses, N/A
- White Honeysuckle, Edwards Plateau/Blackland Prairie