11-24-1997 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

r r Landscape Fabric. Prior to 1991 the City Council had directed that landscape fabrics be treated as hardcover. In 1991 City staff researched the various tjqjes of landscape fabrics available, most of which claim permeability yet inhibit the growth of weeds. Staff concluded that non-woven fabrics have a range of permeability 10 to 100 times as great as woven fabrics. Further, it was found that some fabrics manufactured for other uses are treated with chemicals or resins which make them impermeable and should not be used. It was also found that some fabrics transmit water more readily when in contact with the soil due to capillary action. On May 28, 1991 the City Council voted 4-1 to henceforth consider non-woven landscape fabric as non-hardcover when placed below clean, permeable landscape rock, wood chips or similar materials in landscape beds, and directed staff to revise the City's informational materials to reflect this change. On June 17, 1991 the Planning Commission questioned whether the Council intended that in the extreme case a property owner could place landscape rock over fabric to cover the entire 0-75 ’ zone. On June 24, 1991, the City Council voted 5-0 to rescind the previous action pending further review of the matter, especially in relation to prohibiting fabric use in the 0-75 ’ zone but perhaps allowing it elsewhere. No further action has been taken on this since the approval was rescinded. It might be argued that dust and debris carried with runoff may clog permeable fabric, making it impermeable. This has not been researched by staff. Many property owners have commented that because permeable fabrics are considered hardcover, the only reasonable alternative for controlling weeds is the use of chemicals, with the obvious disadvantage that overuse will result in such chemicals running off into the lake. Gravel or Dirt Driveways (as opposed to gravel decorative rock beds). The City has concluded that all surfaces which are driven on, whether regularly or only occasionally, are considered as hardcover because they experience some degree of compaction. Therefore, gravel or dirt driveways are considered as hardcover. Decorative gravel rock beds without fabric or plastic underliner and which are not driven on, are not considered hardcover because they are permeable and not compacted. Some propert>' ow-ners have requested that porous pavements or the so- called ’grass pavers’ (a concrete or similar grid allowing grass to grow in the interstitial spaces) be allowed as non-hardcover or partial hardcover. Also, some have requested that concrete driveway tire