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Sustainability and Technology Subcommittee
November 8, 2024
Turf to Xeriscape Program
2023-2025 Strategic Framework
o
Neighborhoods
o
Well-maintained public infrastructure promotes
neighborhood aesthetics, safety and community
vitality
o Sustainability and Technology
o
Leading in the sustainability of water infrastructure and
conservation.
o
Managing urban forestry and green space assets in a way
that enhances livability while respecting the desert
environment.
Agenda
•
Why and What is Xeriscape
•
WIFA Grant Overview
•
Public Outreach
•
Public Responses
•
Turf to Xeriscape Options
•
Staff Recommendations
•
Timeline for Phase 1
•
Phase 2 Project
Why Convert Grass
Retention Basins to
Xeriscape?
Chandler’s 2023-2025 Strategic Framework described
the city’s intention to embrace water sustainability
and be a leader in water conservation. The average
Chandler stormwater retention basin with grass uses
between three and six million gallons of irrigation
water each year. That is roughly equivalent to the
annual water use for 30-60 homes.
What is Xeriscape?
Xeriscape is a type of landscape design that uses
minimal irrigation by incorporating drought
tolerant trees, shrubs and native grasses.
More than just rocks
Why now?
Chandler has always been committed to water
conservation and has a long history of water
conservation programs designed to encourage
xeriscape landscaping. However, turf to xeriscape
conversations of large grass areas are quite expensive.
This past year, the State of Arizona offered grant
funds to implement water conservation programs
such as turf to xeriscape conversions.
•
Chandler was awarded a grant of $3M
dollars with a 25% match in city
funding for xeriscaping city owned
drainage basins.
•
Council approved the design contract
on February 22, 2024, using $110,223
local funds and $330,666 grant funds.
Timing for Grant Spending Milestones:
•
December 2, 2024 - $200,000
•
December 31, 2025 – $2,000,000
•
March 31, 2026 - $3,000,000
•
Project Completion - $4,000,000
WIFA Grant Funding
Potential Savings with Planned
Xeriscape Conversions:
•
Substantial Utility Bill Cost Savings
of $83,667/yr total
•
Substantial Gallons of Water
Savings = 26.9 million gal/yr total
Maintenance Costs per Acre:
•
May Increase Slightly When Xeriscape
Complete Due to Higher Number of Trees
and Shrubs But We Will Make Every Effort
to Keep Costs Flat.
•
Current Citywide Landscape Contract Term
is 5 yrs, With Options to Adjust Costs Per
Year Until August 2028
Is There Savings When You Xeriscape ?
Phase 1
Xeriscape Locations – Sites for Public Meeting #1
Public Involvement
•
Postcards mailed to 3,500 residents who
live near the retention basins
•
First public meeting was held on May 30,
2024
•
Website – chandleraz.gov/TurfToXeriscape
•
Online survey
•
Calls and emails
Public Involvement – Feedback Received
Site #
Feedback
Summary
107
•
1 survey response
Resident looking for shade cover for walks. This project will add trees along the sidewalk to help
provide shade for walks.
108
•
3 open house comments
•
5 survey responses
Residents were concerned about drainage issues, which will be addressed as part of the project;
concerned about providing a play area for kids and dogs, which is available at the nearby park.
119
•
2 open house comments
•
5 survey responses
Residents were concerned about noise, wildlife, heat effect, and added dust. These concerns will be
addressed as part of the project.
416a
•
2 open house comments
•
7 survey responses
•
1 call/email
Comments regarding basin Site 416a and 416b together. Minimal resident concerns specific to Site
416a.
418a
•
6 open house comments
•
2 survey responses
Comments regarding basin Site 418a and 418b together. Only one of the residents uses this basin for
dog walking and playing with kids.
416b
•
3 open house comments
•
7 survey responses
•
1 call/email
Comments regarding basin Site 416a and 416b together. Many residents highlighted current usage for
sports, dog walking and family activities.
418b
•
3 open house comments
•
2 survey responses
Residents use this basin for recreational purposes. This basin has areas that can be xeriscaped and still
provide the residents with an area that meets their needs.
419
•
10 open house comments
•
18 survey responses
•
2 calls/emails
Many residents noted that parts of the basin are heavily used for all different types of activities.
Positive Feedback Received – Area 107
Utility Bill Cost Savings
$10,000/yr
Gallons Savings
3.3 Million Gallons/yr
Xeriscape Maintenance Cost
Currently $446/acre. Cost
Increases are possible when
sites are reevaluated by
contractor but we will make
every effort keep costs flat
Positive Feedback Received – Area 108
Utility Bill Cost Savings
$15,000/yr
Gallons Savings
5.0 Million Gallons/yr
Xeriscape Maintenance Cost
Currently $446/acre. Cost
Increases are possible when
sites are reevaluated by
contractor but we will make
every effort keep costs flat
Positive Feedback Received – Area 119
Utility Bill Cost Savings
$8,000/yr
Gallons Savings
2.6 Million Gallons/yr
Xeriscape Maintenance Cost
Currently $446/acre. Cost
Increases are possible when
sites are reevaluated by
contractor but we will make
every effort keep costs flat
Positive Feedback Received – Area 416A
Utility Bill Cost Savings
$10,000/yr
Gallons Savings
3.0 Million Gallons/yr
Xeriscape Maintenance Cost
Currently $446/acre. Cost
Increases are possible when
sites are reevaluated by
contractor but we will make
every effort keep costs flat
Positive Feedback Received – Area 418A
Utility Bill Cost Savings
$10,000/yr
Gallons Savings
3.2 Million Gallons/yr
Xeriscape Maintenance Cost
Currently $446/acre. Cost
Increases are possible when
sites are reevaluated by
contractor but we will make
every effort keep costs flat
x
The following sites are proposed to be built as shown in the original
Public Meeting. City staff will contact residents that had comments and
answer any questions they may have.
•
Site 107 - North side of Elliot Road east of Alma School Road.
x
Site 108 - East side of Alma School north of Warner Road
x
Site 119 - South side of Warner Road east of Dobson Road
x
Site 416a - East side of Kyrene Road South of Chandler Boulevard
x
Site 418a - East side of McClintock Drive north of Chandler Boulevard
Recommendations for Sites that Received
Positive Feedback
Sites with Mixed Feedback From Public Meeting #1
Options Discussion – Area 416B
Utility Bill Cost Savings
$8,000/yr
Gallons Savings
2.5 Million Gallons/yr
Xeriscape Maintenance Cost
Currently $446/acre. Cost Increases are
possible when sites are reevaluated by
contractor but we will make every effort keep
costs flat
Options Discussion – Area 418B
Utility Bill Cost Savings
$9,500/yr
Gallons Savings
3.075 Million Gallons/yr
Xeriscape Maintenance Cost
Currently $446/acre. Cost Increases are
possible when sites are reevaluated by
contractor but we will make every effort keep
costs flat
Options Discussion – Area 419
Utility Bill Cost Savings
$13,167/yr
Gallons Savings
4.167 Million Gallons/yr
Xeriscape Maintenance Cost
Currently $446/acre. Cost Increases are
possible when sites are reevaluated by
contractor but we will make every effort keep
costs flat
Options Discussion – Area 419
Cross-Sections
Options Discussion – Area 419
Existing Photos
x
The following sites will be modified to address neighbors’ questions,
suggestions, and concerns. City staff will contact each resident that had a
comment and discuss how we incorporated their ideas into the design.
x
Site 416b – South of Chandler Boulevard and east of Kyrene Road within
the neighborhood.
x
Staff recommends Option A, full xeriscaping to match adjacent HOA
basins as shown at the public meeting.
x
Site 418b – North side of Chandler Boulevard east of McClintock Drive
x
Staff recommends Option A, full xeriscaping as shown at the public
meeting.
x
Site 419 – South of Chandler Boulevard within the 12 Oaks Community
x
Staff recommends Option C, leaving grass in the northeast quadrant
per residents' recommendation.
Recommendations for Sites That
Received Mixed Feedback
Site Conversion Totals Shown Per Staff Recommendations
Phase I Sites Proposed Conversion Totals
Site
Area Total
(SF)
Area
Converted
(SF)
Estimated
Const.
Cost ($)
Water Volume
Saved
(MGAL/YR)
Water Bill
Savings
($/YR)
*Maintenance
Bill Savings
($/YR)
107
113,854
112,531
$730,903
3.3
$10,000
$0
108
170,745
161,518
$1,001,632
5.0
$15,000
$0
119
263,993
263,993
$1,666,705
2.6
$8,000
$0
416A
135,265
129,680
$807,863
3.0
$10,000
$0
418A
114,035
112,955
$940,247
3.2
$10,000
$0
797,892
780,677
$5,147,350
17
$53,000
$0
Mixed Feedback Sites
416B
171,225
170,670
$1,014,588
2.5
$8,000
$0
418B
114,035
112,995
$706,460
3.1
$9,500
$0
419
375,450
315,966
$2,208,821
4.2
$13,167
$0
660,710
599,631
$3,929,869
10
$30,667
$0
Phase 1 Totals
1,458,602
1,380,308
$9,077,219
27
$83,667
$0
* Maintenance Cost Increase Based Possible 10% Increase and 24 Maintenance Visits Per Year
Positive Feedback Sites
*Xeriscape maintenance cost currently $446/acre. Cost Increases are possible when sites are reevaluated by contractor but we will make
every effort keep costs flat
Project Timeline
Sites With Positive Resident Feedback:
•
The following sites are proposed to be built as shown in the original Public Meeting.
•
Site 107 - North side of Elliot Road east of Alma School Road.
•
Site 108 - East side of Alma School north of Warner Road
•
Site 119 - South side of Warner Road east of Dobson Road
•
Site 416a - East side of Kyrene Road South of Chandler Boulevard
•
Site 418a - East side of McClintock Drive north of Chandler Boulevard
Site With Mixed Resident Feedback:
x
The following sites will be modified to address neighbors’ questions, suggestions, and concerns.
x
Site 416b – South of Chandler Boulevard and east of Kyrene Road within the neighborhood.
¾
Staff recommends Option A, full xeriscaping to match adjacent HOA basins as shown at the
public meeting.
x
Site 418b – North side of Chandler Boulevard east of McClintock Drive
¾
Staff recommends Option A, full xeriscaping as shown at the public meeting.
x
Site 419 – South of Chandler Boulevard within the 12 Oaks Community
¾
Staff recommends Option C, leaving grass in the northeast quadrant per residents'
recommendation.
Review of Recommendations for Phase I Sites:
City staff will contact each resident that had a
comment by phone or email to discuss our path
forward and how we incorporated their ideas into
the design of the project. Final designs will also be
posted on City web page for project
How Will We CommunicatH Back to Residents?
Xeriscape Locations – Sites for Public Meeting #2 (Phase 2)
Thank you!
Questions?