06-10-1991 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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, 'i 11^ that percent when figuring hardcover percentages. Gaffron advis.'d that there are variOv.3 .nethois of testing. Most tests iiivolve a falling or constant head of water focused on a square foot of fabric, and water is run through at a certain rate. The woven fabrics w'll t/pically take 25 gallons p«"»r minute, per square foot. The non-woven fabrirs will take lu times an much. Gaffron said, "I cannot tell you whether 25 gallons per minute is good, or if we need to approach 250 gallons per minute. From just reading the literature it will be nearly impossible to determine how earh of the variojs products have been tested.” Callahan asked v,hy Council is considering a revision to the existing Hardcover Ordinance, which does not allow permeable fabric. Jabbour replied, "People w'.nt a nethod for c.introlling weeds, and most will use plastic. When we fiiid out that plastic is being used under landscaping, we ask to have it removed. I think it would be beneficial for everyone if ./e provide an alternative. I think it would help the City if we could steer people away from using plastic, yet offer an alternative that will help keep weeds down." Mabusth added that if people cannot use plastic, or fabric, they will be more likely to use cnemicais to control weeds. Gostten stated that anything which allows ram to seep into the ground should not be classified as hardcover. Mayor Peterson agreed with Jabbour that offering the residents a viable alternative would benefit everyone. She stated that it would be difficult for Staff to find every bit of plastic that is put under landscaping. It is much better to allow the use of fabric, than to have plastic everywhere. Callahan noted that allowing the use of fabric will automatically mean that everyone will stop using chemicals. not Goetten agreed with Jabbour and Mayor Peterson that allowing the use of non-woven fabrics would benefit the City. Butler reiterated Goetten's point about the inability to classify anything that allows water to penetrate as hardcover. She said, "I would much rather have someone cover portions of their yard with something that allows water to run through, than have them hire a company to come out and spray everything." Bernhardson asked whether the fabric would allow water penetrate at the same rate if it is located under rockbods. to Gaffron advised that the fabric functions best when pre. ed against the ground, as opposed to being in open a:r. - 9 -