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3 <br /> <br />• The product may contribute byproducts to surface and groundwater supplies as it <br />decomposes. The polyurethane that it is made of has hazardous decomposition <br />products. <br />• Use in easement areas and rights-of-way should be prohibited. These areas require <br />access for maintenance of utilities and management of stormwater systems and are <br />frequently disturbed. <br />• Examples of installations provided were for small portions of yards, not whole yards. <br />• Expected life span of the product is 15-20 years. At that time, the material must be <br />removed and landfilled. <br /> <br />The Environmental Board provided the following additional comments: <br /> <br />• Other alternative lawn types are available that are better choices for limiting water, <br />pesticide, and fertilizer use <br />• Hazardous byproducts leaching into ground and surface waters <br />• Hazardous byproducts when product is exposed to fire <br />• Soil health impacts <br />• Losing the water uptake and cooling effect of evapotranspiration from plants <br />• Impacts on resale value of homes <br /> <br />The Board voted 1 “no” for any use of the product and 3 “noes” for widespread use but may be <br />allowed in certain limited, clearly defined small areas such as high traffic or erosion areas. <br /> <br />City Engineer <br /> <br />The attached City Engineer’s Memo provides the following comments: <br /> <br />• Drainage and Infiltration Concerns-need more conclusive evidence. If product is going to <br />allowed in small applications, treat it as an impervious surface. Residential lots are <br />allowed up to 65% maximum impervious surface coverage. <br />o Additional comment: At the Planning & Zoning meeting, the recommendation to <br />treat it as an impervious surface caused too much confusion since the product is <br />pervious. Staff understands the product is pervious but was only recommending <br />it be treated as impervious as a way to limit the amount of synthetic grass <br />allowed on a property. Staff will suggest other ideas if directed to by Council. <br />• Unknown potential environmental and health impacts. <br />• Synthetic grass should not be allowed in drainage and utility easements due to potential <br />restoration costs as a result of future City utility maintenance and replacement <br />activities. <br /> <br />Planning & Zoning Board <br />