Conservation Programs
Concept Plans
Concept Plans (when implemented by Current Planning) are required for all development of 30 or more residential lots or non-residential development of three or more acres, including multi-family development as required by Ordinance #7518, Article 17 of the Unified Development Code, adopted on Nov. 7, 2006.
Concept Plans include conforming development to natural topography, utilizing natural drainage, dedicating 15% of site for common/open space for all residential development with more than 20 units or 10 acres, and one mile of separation between large multi-family complexes. All plans require drawings of integrated design practices and site design techniques to be used.
Floodplain Management
Floodplain management plans in the Unified Development Code provide for best operating practices in compliance with state, federal and regional Green (iSWM) practices (Article 15).
For more information about the city's floodplain management plans and to view maps, visit the Engineering Division's Floodplain page.
GPTV's "Let's Get Growing"
Environmental and water conservation, organic gardening alternatives and use of native and adaptive plant material are all taught during this public program that airs on GPTV. Watch: Let's Get Growing archived episodes.
Stormwater Quality Management
Stormwater quality management programs are a response to regulations from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Clean Water Act. These regulations require cities to obtain a permit under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, or in Texas’ case the Texas Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, and to create a comprehensive program to seek out and eliminate, to the maximum extent practical, pollutants carried by storm water.
Fore more information on the City of Grand Prairie's Stormwater Management Program, visit the Environmental Quality Division's Stormwater page.
Unified Development Code
The Unified Development Code (UDC) provides for landscaping and screening that:
- Allows for native/adaptive option to conserve water.
- Permits use of nonpotable/grey water for landscaping.
- Requires irrigation controls to be weather-based with moisture, wind and freeze sensors.
- Requires drip irrigation on all groundcover and shrub areas.
- Underground irrigation required along street frontages.
- Provides tree credits to encourage retention of existing trees.
- Rainwater harvesting devices are not excluded except in utility easements or required setbacks.
- A listing of native/adaptive trees, shrubs, ground cover and grasses is given (Article 8).
The Unified Development Code provides for Parking and Loading Standards that:
- Reduce parking requirements for new projects.
- Allow cellular grass paving systems for overflow parking (Article 10).
Water Conservation Plan
The City of Grand Prairie adopted a resolution adopting the Water Conservation Plan on April 7, 2009, as well as an ordinance providing for enforcement of certain mandatory provisions of the Water Conservation Plan.