Low-Impact Development Code Update: UGAs

PUBLIC HEARINGThurston County Planning Commission

August 17, 2016

Allison Osterberg, Senior Planner

Resource Stewardship Department

What is LID?

• Ecology definition:Low-impact development (LID) is a stormwater and land use management strategy that strives to mimic pre-disturbance hydrologic processes of infiltration, filtration, storage, evaporation, and transpiration by emphasizing conservation, use of on-site natural features, site planning, and distributed stormwater management practices that are integrated into a project design.

• Key LID Principles Conserve vegetation

Reduce and disconnect impervious surfaces

Infiltrate runoff on site

Thurston Countyhttp://www.co.thurston.wa.us

LID Best Management Practices

Bullet Points?

Information?

Photos?

Rain Garden Porous Pavement Bioretention Area

Why do we need to update the codes?

• NPDES Municipal Stormwater Permit, reissued in 2013

• Review codes to make LID the “preferred and commonly-used approach to site development”

• Should consider measures to minimize: Impervious surfaces

Loss of native vegetation

Stormwater runoff

• Deadline: December 31, 2016

How are the codes reviewed?

• Interjurisdictional Work Group Discussed codes for Lacey, Olympia, Tumwater and UGAs

• City Review Process City staff propose initial changes

Routed through City Planning Commissions and Councils

• Internal County Workgroup Multiple county departments

Reviewed recommended changes from cities

• Thurston County Planning Commission

• Board of Commissioners – Final Adoption

Lacey UGA – TCC 21

Changes Related to LID Adds definitions for LID facility, LID principles, native vegetation,

permeable paving, rain garden, vegetated LID facility, vegetated roofs

LID facilities are explicitly permitted within front, side, and rear yard setbacks

Landscaping requirements are removed from individual zoning chapters and consolidated in the Landscaping chapter (21.80)

Requirement that screening and landscaping use native or drought tolerant vegetation

Additional specificity on what to include in a landscape plan

Lacey UGA (TCC 21)

Consistency Changes Update lot size, yard setbacks, and coverage limits

Low-density residential 0-4

Low-density residential 3-6

Moderate density residential

High density residential

Update permitted uses

Moderate Density Residential: 6-12 units per parcel; parcels >10 acres must provide a mix of housing types with 50% multifamily

High Density Residential: 12-24 units; parcels >10 acres must provide a mix of housing types with 50% multifamily

Removes zoning street types – to consolidate into street standards

Lacey UGA (TCC 21)

Consistency Changes Update parking standards

Makes minimum required parking optional

Establishes standards for required bicycle parking

Allows discretion for parking spaces above or below the min/max

Establishes parking ratio for mixed use development

Update landscaping standards

Shifts focus on native plant materials, rather than emphasis on grass

More enforceable standards for different types of landscaping

Removes standards for open space in multifamily projects

Tumwater UGA (TCC 22)

LID-related Changes Add definitions for hardscape, impervious surface, native vegetation,

permeable pavement, pervious surface

Encourage use of LID stormwater management facilities in site design

Landscape plan required to be prepared by a licensed WA landscape architect, certified nurseryman, or certified landscaper

Landscaping required to use native plants and soils whenever possible

Pervious materials allowed and preferred for surface parking

Parking: Allow a maximum of 15% compact stalls, 8 x 15 feet

Multifamily High Density Residential Zone: Sets impervious coverage of 70% (previously building coverage only)

Mixed Use Zone: Limit impervious surface coverage to 85% (previously building and parking coverage)

Tumwater UGA (TCC 22)

Consistency Changes Update parking standards

Updated intent section, more design emphasis on pedestrian use

Establishes standards for required bicycle parking

Remove credit for on-street parking

New process for allowing increases to parking

Exempt parking in structures from required limit

Revised parking space requirements for some uses (multifamily, banks, shopping centers, warehouses, medical clinics, etc

Update landscaping standards

Landscaping plan required for multifamily or manufactured homes (5+ units), or building expansions over 4,000 sq ft or 25%

Olympia UGA (TCC 23)

LID-related Changes Adds definitions

Decreases allowed max impervious surfaces

Sets limits for hard surfaces

Credit for optional clustering, 65/10

Credit for vegetated roofs (NR zone)

“Soil and vegetation plan” rather than tree plan

60% native vegetation required in landscaping

“Small space” rather than compact space

New process for increasing or decreasing allowed parking

Pervious materials allowed for all parking areas, not only overflow

Smaller aisle widths

Olympia UGA (TCC 23)

Consistency Changes Update landscaping standards

Updates screening standards for waste containers and storage

Requires landscaping plans for four or fewer multifamily units

Update parking standards

Expands credit for on-street parking for all non-residential uses

Updates bicycle parking requirements and design standards

Encourages location of surface parking at rear of building

Questions?

Staff Contact

Allison Osterberg

osterba@co.thurston.wa.us

(360) 754-3355 x7011

Project Websitehttp://www.co.thurston.wa.us/waterresources/lid