sustainable site planning_basics

Sustainable Site Planning Basics

BOB FAULHABER - PE, LEED AP Faulhaber Engineering & Sustainability

They paved paradise And put up a parking lot.”

“

Joni MitchellBig Yellow Taxi

Sustainable Site PlanningIts all about the process!!!

Typical Process Preferred Process

● Architect + Engineer

● Preliminary Design

● Engineer + Architect

● Final design

● Architect

● Preliminary Design

● Engineer

● Final design

Sustainable Site PlanningObjective of the Presentation

● Basic Tool box for site planning

● Explain green methods and techniques

● Facilitate green techniques

● Create better designs/facilities

Site Planning BUZZ WORDS

LID - Low Impact Design/Development

Raingardens

Bioretention

Impervious Surface

Xeriscaping

Pervious Pavement

LEED

Heat Island Effect

Sustainable Site PlanningWhat is a sustainable site plan?

" A site plan that that has the least environmental impact while still meeting the clients project goals."

" Green design is only sustainable if it makes sense financially as well."


WHY NOT??!!


● Site selection is environmentally responsible

● Building orientation is optimized

● Impervious surfaces are minimized

● Site disturbance is minimized

● Stormwater quantity and quality is considered

● Landscaping is water efficient and active

Sustainable Site PlanningTopics to Cover

● Site Selection

● Site/Building Layout

● Impervious Surfaces

● Grading Considerations

● Stormwater Management

● Landscape Design

Site Selection

Site SelectionConsiderations

● Limit development within/on○ 100 year floodplains○ Prime farmland as defined by the USDA○ 100' of wetlands○ 50' of high quality bodies of water○Habitat for endangered or threatened species

Site SelectionConsiderations

● Select previously developed sites○Greyfields○ Brownfields

● Select sites that encourage○Non-motorized tranportation○Use of public transportation

Site Layout

Site Layout Building Orientation

● Energy savings of 25% +

● 80 can make a significant difference

● Elongate on East/West axis

● Maximize N & S exposure for daylighting

● Minimize East & West facing windows

● Orient most populated areas to N & S

Site Layout Building Orientation

Impervious Surfaces

Impervious SurfacesEffects on the water cycle

● �Limit groundwater recharge

● Increase polutant load

● Increase runoff

● Create heat island effect

Impervious SurfacesReduce Impervious Surfaces

● Minimize parking areas○ Zoning code minimum or less○ Incorporate compact car spaces when possible○Reduce lane sizes

● Plantings in and around parking areas● Green Roofs

Impervious SurfacesReduce Impervious Surfaces

● Pervious paving options○ Pervious pavement○ Pervious concrete○ Permeable pavers○Grasspave systems

Grading and Slopes

Grading and SlopesLimit Site Disturbance

● <40 feet beyond the building perimeter

● <10 feet beyond surface walkways, patios, surface parking, and utilities

● <15 feet beyond primary roadway curbs

● <25 feet beyond constructed areas with permeable surfaces (pervious paving, stormwater detention, and playing fields)

Grading and SlopesGeneral slope considerations

● Parking areas - 2%-5%

● Drives - 2%-8%

● Vegetated slopes - 3:1 or less

● Vegetated swales - 1%-15%

● Pervious pavement - 0%-5%

Stormwater Mangement

Stormwater ManagementQuanitity

● Maintain pre-development hydrology○Rate - usually required○Quantity

Stormwater ManagementHydrology

● Stormwater Quality○Best management

practices (BMP's)■ Structural■Non-structural■VEGETATIVE

Stormwater ManagementBest Management Practices

Why Not TradeTHIS for THIS


● Raingardens/Bioretention○ 6"-12" deep○ 8%-10% of site area○ <1/2 acre drainage area

■ up to 2 acres possible


● Raingardens/Bioretention○ landscape islands○ 4'-10'+ between parking

rows○ 8'-10' for double loaded

Landscape Design

Landscape DesignConsiderations

● Limit potable water use○Use Native Species○Place landscape areas to receive runoff○Use captured rainwater


● Shade large hardscapes

● Shade buildings in summer, allow sunlight in during winter


● Place to filter and clean stormwater○Raingardens in

parking areas○Bioretention

rather than retention ponds

Resources1. The Sustainable Sites Initiative2. The United States Green Building Council3. Portland Sustainable Stormwater Management

Program4. US EPA

1. Stormwater management2. LID Techniques

5. The Center for Watershed Protection6. Prince Georges County Maryland - Division of

Environmental Protection

Sustainable Site Planning Basics

BOB FAULHABER - PE, LEED AP Faulhaber Engineering & Sustainability

QUESTIONS?

COMMENTS?

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