| 12/8/2021 |
Clark County Zoning Commission
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Agenda note: SUBJECT MATTER/RECOMMENDATION: In the matter of the recommendation that the Board of County Commissioners discuss potential strategies for future evaporative air coolers for non-residential uses with regard to drought policies and the Southern Nevada Water Authority, and direct staff accordingly. (For possible action):
DISCUSSION: Following introduction of the item, John Entsminger, General Manager at the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA), spoke regarding the ongoing drought; since 2002, even though population increased, Clark County was using 23% less water from the Colorado River; progress stalled on the gallons per capita per day (GCPD) metric for urban water conservation; currently, Clark County utilized approximately 113 gallons per capita per day, but left unmitigated, due to the increase in temperatures, the GCPD metric would increase by 9 gallons per day over the next 15 years; a 50-year outward resource plan was prepared very year, which consisted of a lower demand, additional growth scenarios, and conservation goals; 99% of indoor water was recycled; advised of three consumptive water uses that could not be recovered, which included evaporative air coolers; from conversion of existing evaporative coolers to the prohibition of new evaporative coolers in developments, a GCPD savings of 2 gallons per day would be realized through 2035; and spoke of companies that were willing to either retrofit existing coolers or not include them in new construction.
Responding to a question from Commissioner Gibson regarding providing water consumption data to the Board when construction was approved, Mr. Entsminger advised that studies of specific water consumption was available but if construction moved forward while data was reviewed, the issues of water consumption could not be properly measured or addressed.
Dave Johnson, Deputy General Manager at the SNWA, advised that due to the diversity of many construction projects submitted to the Board, water consumption would be difficult to evaluate until the design process stage, which could take upwards of six months to a year; advised that time and technology would have to be considered for a possible retrofit of any existing coolers.
In response to a question from Commissioner Jones regarding applicants providing a water usage study, similar to traffic and draining studies, Mr. Entsminger agreed that would be a viable approach, but uniform rules were imperative across jurisdictions.
Commissioner Kirkpatrick spoke of directing staff to not allow any evaporative coolers effective January 1, 2022 and to change service rules should other jurisdictions not comply; and those buildings with coolers, allow ten years to covert to dry cooled air.
Responding to a question from Commissioner Jones, Mr. Entsminger spoke regarding the history and the renewal of the Colorado River Compact, that was originally signed by seven states in 1922.
In response to questions from the Board, Robert Warhola, Deputy District Attorney, advised that zoning applications for commercial and industrial development before the Board, a condition of approval could be added to prohibit coolers; for those applications already approved, an ordinance imposing a moratorium could be issued and would speak to the Building Department to determine the best and earliest point to impose that prohibition; and a Business Impact Statement would not be required if a condition was added to zoning, but legal research regarding a moratorium would be needed regarding the applications already approved; consistency was a must between all of the Commissioners and commercial and industrial developments; and to stave off an influx of applications before January 1, 2022, agreed with Ms. Amundsen that the condition for approval could be added immediately should the Board provide direction.
Commissioner Segerblom advised of needing a broader conversation with the other jurisdictions and elected officials for compliance.
Mr. Entsminger advised that on December 20, 2021, the new resource plan would be presented to the Board which would include changes in circumstances over the past 12 months; advised that the SWNA was not a regulatory agency and any adopted resolutions or guidance would have to be reduced to Water District rules, County Codes, and City Codes for passage.
Ms. Amundsen clarified direction provided by the Board; moving forward, the condition of no evaporative coolers would be added and would work with the SNWA on the proper wording. | |
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