Households expend 60% of water on landscape irrigation, according to the utility, and so the council on Tuesday directed city planners to pursue zoning code amendments that would allow property owners to reduce the amount of “plant material” in front yards to 50% and make up the difference with less thirsty ground cover.
Artificial turf was not part of the amendments proposed for review, but nearly all council members gave direction to include the faux-grass option in the research and development phase of the coming code amendments.
“I think it’d be good, but it’s the quality . . . So it looks right,” Councilman Dave Weaver. “I think it should be an option.”
Nearly all of his colleagues agreed, but Yousefian did more than just break ranks.
He laid out a scenario in which the synthetic grass blades would decimate local bee populations, which would then stunt crop growth and slash food supplies.
It is the state’s overly thirsty agricultural crops, not front lawns, that are sopping up dwindling water supplies, he said.
“We talk about quality of life in this city; do you want this city to look like Arizona?” Yousefian said. “This is what we do — we overreact.”
All one had to do is research the issue on the Internet and come to the same conclusion, he said.
“Maybe we should do artificial trees next,” Yousefian said.
Characterizing Yousefian’s stance as “on the edge of apocalypse,” Mayor John Drayman joined the majority in requesting a more detailed analysis of how high-grade turf could be incorporated into residential streetscapes.
Los Angeles and other Southland cities are either exploring the concept or already allow residents to use some types of artificial turf for a portion of their landscaping.
Glendale officials have tried unsuccessfully to rein in water use among property owners in a city that has long prided itself on charming, well-manicured lawns and front yards.
Preliminary year-to-year comparisons among single-family homes, which consume 45% of the city’s water, show that a reduction in water use of about 16% a few months ago has been whittled down to a 0.2% conservation rate as owners hedge against summer heat.
“I mean we’re in the middle of a crisis in this state. . . [Artificial turf] has come a long way,” Councilman Frank Quintero said.
City planners will include the possibility of allowing artificial turf in front lawns when it brings the proposed zoning code amendments to the Planning Commission for review and, ultimately, a recommendation.
