original post date: 10/20/2015
update No. 2: 07/05/2016
update No. 3: 11/30/2016

After the completion of project phases one through three, the work to transform Santa Fe Hills median landscapes along Las Posas and Borden Roads into water-wise designs will continue through spring 2017.

Instead of intensive, high maintenance ornamental turf, residents will see a drought tolerant plant palette that takes aesthetic quality, water consumption and maintenance requirements into consideration.

With landscape and irrigation designs complete, next steps include installing the plant materials and a more efficient drip irrigation system. In keeping with the “Right Tree – Right Place” concept, non-root invasive and drought-tolerant trees will be planted within the Santa Fe Hills community.  All trees removed during earlier phases of the project will be replaced on a one-to-one ratio. 

During the landscaping work, alternate lane closures on Las Posas Road will be in place to accommodate work crews. Traffic alerts will be posted on the city’s website, Facebook and Twitter.

Completed project phases included the removal and replacement of more than 275 panels of damaged sidewalk. Crews also removed dying trees in preparation for a new high-efficient irrigation system and a drought-tolerant planting plan slated for the medians and parkways along the Las Posas and Borden Road corridors.

By transforming the landscaped area, the $600,000 project will reduce water use by more than 50 percent, minimize run-off into the streets and trim down on landscape maintenance costs.

For more information, contact the city’s Public Works Department at (760) 752-7550. To learn more about the city’s water-saving efforts, visit www.san-marcos.net/savingh2o.  

Landscape Plant Selection List