To: Honorable Mayor and Members of Town Council
From: Mark Marlowe, P.E., Director of Castle Rock Water
Matt Benak, P.E., Water Resources Manager
Rick Schultz, Water Conservation Specialist
Title
Update: Non-residential Smartscape Pilot Results
Body
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Executive Summary
The current residential Smartscape program has been offered since 2009. That program has proven to be successful at reducing outdoor water consumption. Given the success of the residential program, in 2018 the program was expanded to include non-residential customers. The initial budget was $100,000. Similar to the residential program, non-residential customers received $1 per square foot for the removal of high water use plant material and replacement with a low water landscape or hardscape.
Notification and Outreach Efforts
On May 17, 2018, staff presented this program during a Homeowner’s Association (HOA) outreach meeting where approximately 40 board members and property managers attended.
Throughout the season, Castle Rock Water staff attended Individual HOA meetings, including The Meadows, Crystal Valley Ranch, Sapphire Point, and Latigo.
There were 18 Water Wiser workshops held at which time this rebate along with all of the other rebate programs were presented.
Castle Rock Water partnered with the Meadows Neighborhood Company to present a Coloradoscape design workshop for The Meadows residents.
History of Past Town Council, Boards & Commissions, or Other Discussions
The Smartscape non-residential pilot program was unanimously recommended for approval by Castle Rock Water Commission on February 28, 2018 and approved by Town Council on March 6, 2018.
Discussion
During this first year of the program, three HOAs participated - Sapphire Pointe, The Woodlands, and Castlewood Ranch. A total of 30,362 square feet of high water use plant material was removed and replaced with low water or no water material. The overhead irrigation system was removed or replaced with a drip system in these areas.
Other HOAs did express interest in the program but were not able to participate due to budgetary restrictions. Moving forward, plans to include this in future budgets are ongoing.
Budget Impact
The initial budget for this pilot program was $100,000. The actual amount funded for this pilot program was $30,362.
Staff Recommendation
Staff recommends evaluating the program to increase the minimum square footage and amount of reimbursement per square foot. The reimbursement per square foot has been the same for a number of years.
Attachments
Attachment A: Before and after photos