This is not earthshaking news, but it certainly does affect Park West Garden Homes. There are no civil or crimial penatlties, but it's interesting that water issues are becoming more and more important in state politics.

_____________78R7645 AJA-D__
By: Guillen H.B. No. 3276
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT relating to certain landscaping requirements in residential subdivisions.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 209, Property Code, is amended by adding
Section 209.012 to read as follows:
Sec. 209.012. CERTAIN LANDSCAPING REQUIREMENTS. (a) If the restrictions or bylaws governing a subdivision include
landscaping requirements with which an owner cannot comply without the use of water, the property owners' association shall offer
training or written information to owners regarding water-saving
methods for maintaining the landscaping as required or landscaping choices suitable to the area that will minimize water use.
(b) A property owners' association that does not comply with
this section may not enforce a requirement described by Subsection
(a). SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2003. A property owners' association is not required to comply with Section 209.012, Property Code, as added by this Act, before January 1, 2004.

(This bill has not been voted on or adopted, as of today 3/19/03. This and other information about Texas legislationg is forwared from the OHAN group - a collection of local neighborhood Association in and around Oak Hill that meet in ACC once a month. Those meetings are open the public and Jim O'Rielly occassionally attends for CCHOA, as do I on my own.)

Great stuff Russ.

Thanks for the info!

Does this look likely to pass?

Keep us updated.

By Sal

Park West will be able to comply

I had seen this bill, and this is definitely the direction that we are all headed. Water conservation is a critical component for landscapers.

The Park West community landscape plan is well suited to water conservation. The native plants and the bermuda tif grass are recommended as part of the City of Austin Grow Green and Water Wise programs. The five day watering schedule will work in Park West if people are willing to sacrifice some amount of super green grass during the hottest months. Also, adding organic matter in the beds, which is done every year, and top dressing the grass is important in saving water. It is not in the landscape contract to top dress, but Park West may want to consider it in the future. We do it on the commons areas of Circle C. We will be using Medina soil activator three times this year on beds and turf in Park West. This activates micro organisms that are critical for the soil to absorb more water.

By Circle C Landscape