Subject:
Title
Creation of Proposed Chapter 46, Article XI, Landscape Irrigation, Relating to Watering Schedules consistent with St. Johns River Water Management District model ordinance - Public Hearing
End
Fiscal Impact:
None, no enforcement provision is proposed. Adoption of irrigation schedules is a new pre-requisite for cost share grants from the St. Johns River Water Management District.
Dept/Office:
Natural Resources Management Department
Requested Action:
Recommendation
Consideration of Proposed Chapter 46, Article XI, Landscape Irrigation, Relating to Watering Schedules consistent with St. Johns River Water Management District model ordinanceEnd
Summary Explanation and Background:
The Board of County Commissioners (Board), on October 12, 2021 approved legislative intent and permission to advertise the creation of Chapter 46, Article XI, Landscape Irrigation, relating to watering schedules consistent with the St. Johns River Water Management District (District) model ordinance. The Board further directed that the proposed language not include enforcement provisions, leaving enforcement to the District.
On January 12, 2021, the St. Johns River Water Management District Governing Board approved updates to their Districtwide Cost-Share Program. These updates included a new requirement that to be eligible for District Cost-Share grants, municipalities and counties must have a landscape irrigation ordinance that is consistent with the District’s model ordinance. Currently, District grants provide up to 25% of construction-only costs for shovel-ready projects. In July 2021, the District’s Office of General Counsel determined that adoption of the model ordinance sections related to enforcement and penalties is optional.
Excess irrigation wastes freshwater and carries pollution to sensitive waterways including the Indian River Lagoon. To discourage excess irrigation, the District has established watering schedules based on time of year and street address. For example, during Daylight Savings Time, residential landscape irrigation at odd numbered addresses or no address may occur only on Wednesday and Saturday, while irrigation at even numbered addresses may occur only on Thursday and Sunday. During Eastern Standard Time, residential landscape irrigation at odd numbered addresses or no address may occur only on Saturday, while irrigation at even numbered addresses may occur only on Sunday. Year-round, irrigation shall not occur between 10:00 and 4:00.
Adopting the watering schedules could provide a beneficial opportunity for local outreach on the importance of water conservation and pollution control. Additionally, including the watering restrictions within the County Code may make the rules more publicly accessible when compared with searching the Florida Administrative Code.
The Building and Construction Advisory Committee and Local Planning Agency considered the proposed ordinance on January 5, 2022 and January 10, 2022, respectively. Both unanimously recommended approval.
Staff Contact: Amanda Elmore, Deputy Director - Natural Resources Management Department amanda.elmore@brevardfl.gov, 321-307-8996
Options for the Board’s consideration:
1) Adopt the proposed ordinance.
2) Reject the proposed ordinance.
3) Provide other direction.
Clerk to the Board Instructions:
If adopted, please file a certified copy of the ordinance with the Department of State within 10 days and return a certified copy to Natural Resources.