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The downside of requiring black dirt under lawn areas in new developments is as follow. <br />1) Increase initial cost of development or construction. <br />2) May be somewhat difficult to enforce. <br />3) Because of added cost if homeowner pays directly, lawns may not be <br />installed. This has been an issue in some communities. <br />On the upside, the cities that have an ordinance indicate an approximate 10% saving in <br />water usage. <br />A proposed city ordinance would be... <br />Topsoil <br />Prior to seeding or sodding, all single-family, townhouses, condominium lots must have a <br />minimum of 4-inches of black dirt as topsoil, covering all areas that are to be sodded, <br />seeded or areas that will be landscaped beds. Black soils retain water better and reduces <br />the need for excessive irrigation. <br />Staff is asking for guidance, do you desire to pursue such an ordinance? If so it will need <br />to go through the planning commission and City Council. Staff recommends such an <br />ordinance. <br />Many of the above referenced cities also have a landscaping ordinance specifying number <br />and size of trees and shrubs for residential lots. These types of landscaping ordinance fits <br />well with our AC-Tree program and Energy City concept. <br />