Texas has been suffering from one of the most significant droughts on record. Like most HOAs in the metroplex, ours has been subject to the North Texas Municipal Water District’s (NTMWD) restrictions on outdoor watering. Last fall, we were placed under Stage 3 which equated to a one (1) day per week of outside water restriction. In addition, we and the city of McKinney were told by NTMWD that we would likely go into Stage 4 water restrictions beginning in June of 2012.
The Stonebridge Ranch Landscape and Grounds Committee is responsible for the oversight of our flower beds, parkways, medians and open space areas such as those planted at our Village entrances. As they planned for the spring color planting, the Committee studied many watering options with our consultants and Landscape maintenance professionals to determine how we might sustain our plant life through this coming summer and the current Stage 3 watering restrictions or Stage 4 (no outdoor watering), if imposed.
Our landscape vendor advised them that our traditional selection of flowers for our “color beds” would not be appropriate under Stage 3 watering restrictions. This type of plant material must be watered more than once per week. Furthermore, since we could not water them appropriately, they would not warranty or replace them if they died. The Committee explored a number of alternatives for short-term solutions.
In the meantime, we have received a significant amount of rain this winter and NTMWD informed us that Stage 4 watering restrictions will not be imposed. The level of Lake Lavon has almost returned to normal We will remain in Stage 3 throughout 2012, in part because of obstacles to supplementing our principal Lake Lavon water source.
Knowing these facts, the Landscape and Grounds committee recommended that we supplement drought tolerant and flowering plants for the traditional flowers at the Primary entrances to our community and that we not plant flowers at the Village Entrances for this spring and summer. The Board concurred that it’s prudent to defer some color plantings temporarily in order to achieve a long term goal to sustain the beauty and appearance of our common areas for years to come.
Currently about twenty (20) percent of our color beds in Stonebridge Ranch are on drip irrigation. They are easy to spot during the summer as they are the ones that continue to thrive throughout the late summer. The board studied costs and obtained bids for installing drip irrigation in all of our common area planting beds.
What we discovered is that the savings from deferring planting for one season is substantial ($60,000). Redirecting the funds from the deferred planting provided the Board an opportunity to convert all color beds to a drip irrigation system. By making this investment now, we expect to see savings in our overall water and plant maintenance expense. This decision will pay dividend for years to come as drip irrigation is a superior watering and conservation system. It is not subject to Stage 3 or Stage 4 restrictions.
This temporary “color hiatus”will be alleviated in the fall when our new and improved color beds return for our daily enjoyment. The Association’s landscape vendor has already started the retro-fitting of the village color beds. The timeline to complete the project is eight weeks.
Matt Alexander has lived in the Gallery since 2007. He is the Chairman of the Stonebridge Ranch HOA Landscape and Grounds Committee.
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