Low Impact Development: Stumbling Blocks or Stepping Stones? K. Michelle Barnett, P.E., CFM Office Manager, Enercon Services Inc. Tulsa, Oklahoma OFMA Annual Conference September 16-18, 2012

Stumbling Blocks “For years we have been moving away from LID without even knowing it…we’ve moved to wider streets for better fire truck access and gone away from roadside ditches in favor of curb and gutter with storm sewers. “ Bill Robison, City of Tulsa

Getting in Our Own Way… “Rain gardens could be considered a violation of our mowing ordinance if plants are more than 12” high.”

Getting in Our Own Way… “Certain people in management are afraid pervious pavement will clog and become ineffective over time… “

Getting in Our Own Way… “We don’t even allow bar ditch subdivisions anymore. Its curb and gutter by rule. And within the last few years we’ve had to add concrete bottoms to any channel, even roadside ditches.”

Motivating the Community “It has been pretty surprising to me that not any of the businesses want some practically free green marketing….“ Jeff Bigby, City of Broken Arrow

Get Out of the Way Get Out in Front

Stepping Stones “Good implementation of LID practices will require some modification to our ordinances and education on the part of citizen awareness as well as public officials.” Bill Robison, City of Tulsa Tools for Self Evaluation EPA Water Quality Scorecard http://www.epa.gov/dced/pdf/2009_1208_wq_scorecard.pdf

Overview of Score Card Protect Natural Resources Promote Efficient, Compact Development Patterns Design Complete Smart Streets Encourage Efficient Parking Adopt Green Infrastructure Stormwater Management Adopt Plans Educate Remove Barriers Adopt Incentives Enact Regulations

Getting Started Review the scorecard to identify which agencies, depts, or personnel will be required for each section. Convene appropriate staff to review their section Collect existing ordinance and policies that will be necessary references for the scorecard. Coordinate between appropriate agencies or departments. Identify sections or questions to be prioritized for revision or update if needed. Identify short-, medium-, and long-term goals and strategies for revising local policies to better support green infrastructure.

Example of Scoring System

Protect Natural Resources/Open Space Adopt Plans/Educate: Identify and map critical natural resources Steep slopes, high quality forest, drinking water watersheds Remove barriers Protection of natural resources qualifies for credit towards set- aside requirements Adopt Incentives Collaborate with land trusts to acquire critical resource areas Adopt a transferable developments right program to provide incentive for preservation Enact Regulations To protect steep slopes and other sensitive lands Create ag/resource zoning districts to preserve resources

Adopt Green Infrastructure SW Mgmt Adopt Plans/Educate Inform the public through education and outreach programs that green infrastructure can manage their stormwater Create a training program for reviewers to ensure green infrastructure is applied effectively. Remove barriers Change or allow alternatives to building codes or other regulations to ensure that green infrastructure is legal, for example remove restrictions on downspout disconnection. Adopt Incentives Establish a “Green Tape” expedited review Reduce stormwater utility rates for LID use

Open Space Protection Adopt Plans/Educate Remove barriers Have a community-wide parks or open space plan Remove barriers Green infrastructure counts towards up to 50% of required set-aside/open space requirements Adopt Incentives Additional open space/set-aside credits provided for green infrastructure that is available for public/recreation Enact Regulations Adopt an open space impact fee to purchase passive open space that can assist in stormwater management

Promote Efficient, Compact Development Question: Are policy incentives in place to direct development to previously developed areas? Goal: Municipalities implement a range of policies and tools to direct development to specific areas Why? Municipalities realize a significant reduction in regional runoff and runoff management costs if they take advantage of previously developed sites rather than paving greenfield sites.

Street Design Question: Goal: Why? Do locate street design standards and engineering practices encourage streets to be no wider than necessary? Are major streets required to integrate green infrastructure? Goal: Appropriate street widths allow narrower lanes for certain types of streets, reducing overall imperviousness. Formally integrate green infrastructure into standard construction. Why? Consistent project to improve or repair street provide opportunities to include green infrastructure retrofits.

Assessing Your Scorecard

What Will I Do? Look through the Scorecard Review common problem areas Ask. Pick 2-3 things your community can accomplish this year. And do them. Repeat.