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Public Works & Sustainability Commission
Subcommittee on Native Plants & Pollinators
Purpose
As directed by the City Council, develop recommendations for a potential guiding policy regarding Native Planting and Pollinators. Specifically, there is a focus on three areas:
1) Potential pollinator corridors in parkways and/or medians 2) Potential landscaping development standards in private commercial properties 3) Landscaping goals for City-Owned Property
Recommendations
● Encourage a variety of SoCal native plant material
○ Native plants (drought resistant).
○ Pollinator for ES Blue Butterfly – 20%-30% Seacliff buckwheat (Erigonum parvifolium) in areas that are planted west of PCH.
○ Seacliff Buckwheat planted to encourage continuous migration of El Segundo blue butterflies down the coast
● Establish City recommended native plant palettes for trees, shrubs, and plants (sunny, shady, dry, bioswale, and ground over/turf palettes) for public use ○ Refer drought-resistant native plant palettes to expert organizations like South Bay Parkland Conservancy, CA Universities, and Calscape, academic institutions.
○ Encourage Seacliff Buckwheat west of PCH.
○ Prohibit planting of invasive plants as designated by the California Invasive Plant Council within City right-of-way and on City projects. ○ Mix of pollinators to ensure year-round blooms
● Suggested species for native plant palette includes, but is not limited to, the following:
● Installation of recirculating pollinator water features ○ Recommended where financially practical and feasible to install, operate and maintain.
● Encourage bioswales with native plants for right of way, where appropriate, and parking lots of new commercial and residential projects
○ Refer bioswales for new projects on private property to the Planning Commission. ○ Pilot bioswale initially only in new private commercial developments. ○ Refer to Calscape for appropriate plants for bioswales. ● Prohibit/limit the use of hazardous (poisonous, thorny, etc.) and invasive plants, fertilizers and insecticides, and landscaping that increases urban heating. ○ Revisit the topic and conduct legal, financial, and environmental feasibility studies. ● In regards to the use of water-saving irrigation, require implementation to be in compliance with the City of Redondo Beach municipal code RBMC 10-2.1900 and 10- Seacliff Buckwheat CA Bush Sunflower Lanceleaf Liveforever Cleveland Sage California Fuschia Sticky Monkey-Flower
Common Yarrow Seaside Daisy California Lilac
Toyon
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5.1900 Landscaping Regulations (f) as follows (may be satisfied with current MWELO requirements):
○ Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance.(1)
■ Adoption by reference. The California State Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance codified at Chapter 2.7 of Title 23 of the California Code of Regulations, and any amendments thereto, is hereby adopted and incorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth below, and shall be known and may be cited as the Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance of the City of Redondo Beach. One copy of the California State Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance shall be maintained on file in City Hall. (2) ■ Conflicts of law. The development standards relating to landscaping found in Section 10-2.1900 shall apply in addition to the applicable requirements of the California Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance. In the event of any conflict between provisions of the California State Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance and a provision of this Section 10-2.1900, the provision that contains the more stringent landscaping water efficiency requirement(s) shall be controlled.
○ We recommend, not mandate, water-saving systems, but should conduct a financial feasibility study and cost-benefit analysis.
○ Utilize drought-resistant native pollinators to reduce water usage where appropriate.
● Implement an interpretive signage program to increase education on native plants ○ Recommend implementation of proper educational signage where appropriate. ○ Recommend implementation of educational content on the City website, library, etc. Generate PSA and press release - Promote Environmental Stewardship & Support Local Sustainability Practices in Redondo Beach. ■ Acquire content from the South Bay Parkland Conservancy. ● Target underutilized open spaces for native plants and pollinators such as medians and sumps. ○ Recommend for City-Owned Properties (COP) where budgeting allows. Willing to consider possible implementation if supported by third-party grant funding. If a budget exists given existing infrastructure projects, consider planting native plants where appropriate.
○ Pilot initially only in new private commercial developments. ○ Implement in alignment and compliance of City of Redondo Beach, CA Landscaping Regulations (ecode360.com) in the City of Redondo Beach Municipal Code and the following policies proposed in the City’s July 2024 Draft General Plan Land Use Element and Open Space and Conservation Elements:
■ Policy LU5.7 Preserve and Expand Native Habitat and Encourage Use of Native Plants for Landscaping. Continue to support the expansion of native bluff habitat along the waterfront. Continue to re-establish native habitat in Wilderness Park. Continue to pursue wetlands and native habitat restoration at 3 of 3
the power plant site and the adjacent powerline corridor. Ensure connectivity of native habitat, particularly habitat for the endangered El Segundo blue butterfly, with Torrance and Hermosa Beach. Redefine city plant and tree palettes to prioritize native plants. Apply the strategies and approaches to fund and incentivize the expansion of native habitats and plants throughout the city on both public and private property.
■ Policy OS-2.9 Sustainable Landscaping. Incorporate sustainable landscape practices that limit water usage and energy consumption, reduce urban runoff, and encourage groundwater recharge, such as drought-resistant and native landscaping, low-impact development standards, and maximizing permeable surfaces.
■ Policy OS-2.10 Conservation. Preserve and enhance unique and valuable community resources as part of the planning and development of parks, public spaces, and recreation areas. Such resources include significant scenic and visual landmarks; cultural/historic resources; and natural resources such as coastal resources, wildlife habitats, and native vegetation.
■ Policy OS-8.1 Protect and Expand Critical Habitats. Coordinate with the neighboring cities, Los Angeles County, regional agencies, and environmental and conservation communities/groups to ensure critical habitat areas are preserved, expanded, and connected when feasible, and protected from natural and manmade threats, including potential impacts from development on adjacent sites.
■ Policy OS-8.2 Re-Introduce Native Species. Coordinate with conservation groups and nonprofit organizations to reestablish habitat areas with native plants and animals in areas of habitat rehabilitation; consider the feasibility of establishing, maintaining, and preserving new habitat areas in other parts of the City.
■ Policy OS-8.6 Re-introduce native habitats. Work with the property owners of the power plant property and utility rights-of-way adjacent to Herondo Avenue, the Coastal Commission, the Coastal Conservancy, and other agencies to reestablish wetlands surrounded by native habitat on the power plant property and native habitat on the utility right-of-way next to Herondo Avenue.
● Turf Replacement
○ Replace ornamental turf installation with drought-resistance native plants where appropriate and financially feasible, in compliance with coming statewide restrictions.
● Enforce the tree protection and preservation law per Ordinance No. 3251-23 passed by Council on February 14, 2024.