EPA Research Advancing the discussion on stormwater and smart growth

Using Land Efficiently Scenario A: 1 unit/acre Scenario B: 4 units/acre Scenario C: 8 units/acre Impervious cover = 20% Runoff/acre = 18,700 ft 3 /yr Runoff/unit = 18,700 ft 3 /yr Impervious cover = 38% Runoff/acre = 24,800 ft 3 /yr Runoff/unit = 6,200 ft3/yr Impervious cover = 65% Runoff/acre = 39,600 ft 3 /yr Runoff/unit = 4,950 ft3/yr But we re comparing apples to oranges here

Comparing Apples to Apples Scenario A: 1 unit/acre Scenario B: 4 units/acre Impervious cover = 38% Total runoff = 49,600 ft 3 /yr Runoff/house = 6,200 ft 3 /yr Scenario C: 8 units/acre Impervious cover = 20% Total runoff = 149,600 ft 3 /yr Runoff/house = 18,700 ft 3 /yr Impervious cover = 65% Total runoff = 39,600 ft 3 /yr Runoff/house = 4,950 ft 3 /yr

And at the watershed level The lower density scenario creates more run-off and consumes more land that the higher density scenario.

In 20 years, they have doubled their populations... So by 2020, they might look like...

In another 20 years, they have doubled their populations, again... So by 2040, they might look like...

The Future of Stormwater Management Aligning Water Quality and Land Use Planning New Partners for Smart Growth Washington, DC 2008 Clark Anderson canderson@lgc.org Local Government Commission

Stormwater Schromwater What s s the big deal

What happens when we go from

To this

Before

After poop

The Water and Growth dilemma

We need reliable water as we grow

How we are growing threatens the water we need

and Losing the Good Stuff

Why are we growing like this?

We are getting what we plan for Conventional development is the result of conventional planning policies (zoning and ordinances)

We have been planning for our cars

not people

nor water

Car habitat

Consumptive land use patterns create more impervious cover, replace more natural land, and place higher demands on vital resources.

The impacts

The Water Principles Principle 1: Compact Community Design Principle 2: Natural Infrastructure Principles 3, 4, 5: Sustainable Site Design Principles 7, 8, 9: Efficient Water Use Implementation Principles

Application: Ventura Project Watershed-based Planning Strategies What we re doing Stakeholder Coordination Local Gov t; ; Regional Board, BIA, Policy Coordination Planning Assessment Policy Coordination & Alignment Stormwater and Land Use Strategies to Fit Local Conditions Policy Recommendations Integrate smart growth and green site design Regional Watershed Plan

Ventura s s Planning Context Ventura County County + 10 Cities History of Growth Management Guidelines + SOAR Distinct Cities Mix of Urban + Ag Who s s involved County + All 10 Cities LA Regional Water Board Environmental Organizations Building Industry Association

Ventura s s Stormwater Permit Released right when the project kicked off. THE GOOD Emphasis on Green Infrastructure THE CHALLENGES Performance standard specifies only 5% Effective Impervious Area a for new development and redevelopment projects Location benefits not recognized Development patterns and community form not recognized Site-by by-site focus How to recognize superior environmental performance infill, redevelopment, compact form? How to recognize value of Ecosystem services lost?

The Permit Trends in Stormwmater Management Move towards Green Infrastructure approaches LID, Better Site design, Etc Tremendous Upsides: - recognize value of natural infrastructure - better performing development - its cool! - stormwater as a resource!

Drainage as a key site design element N c

Ventura s Stormwater Permit 5% EIA Provision: All New Development and Redevelopment projects... control pollutants, pollutant loads, and runoff volume emanating from impervious surfaces through percolation, infiltration, storage, or evapo-transpiration, by reducing the percentage of Effective Impervious Area (EIA) to less than 5 percent of total project area. Effective Impervious Area Impervious surfaces that are directly connected to the storm sewer system. Rendered ineffective if runoff is directed to a drainage system (i.e. swale, raingarden,, infiltration trench.

Evolving Understanding of Impervious Cover

Evolving Understanding of Impervious Cover Message: Urban = Bad Lower Density = Good Impervious Cover - Overall amount less important than amount per capita. And what about

Natural Infrastructure

What Drives Impervious Cover? Use separation Bulk regulations Streets Parking

5% EIA Provision - Problem 1 Forgotten Consequences of Location 5% EIA easier to achieve in Greenfield

Forgotten Consequences: Location Should development on these sites be treated the same? Effects of 5% EIA as performance measure No measure of ecosystem services lost Redevelopment of a one acre parking lot treated the same as bulldozing ldozing one acre of open space

5% EIA Provision - Problem 2 Forgotten Consequences of Development Patterns and Community Form 5% EIA easier to achieve at Lower Densities

Is this Green Development? Model LID Subdivision Green sprawl is still sprawl. - single use,+ dispersed - auto-dependent - low l w density 1.6 DUA D A - 0 affordable units - side walks eliminated

Forgotten Consequences: Development Patterns Easier to achieve here than Here

Forgotten Consequences of Form & Pattern - Watershed Fragmentation - Loss of open space, ecologically valuable / sensitive areas - More off-sit f site/ancillary i lary imperviousness v ess - Higher VMT, emissions, auto-related impacts - Forgetting other key factors of performance and function t in built environment (likely( the biggest issue). New metrics needed: Ecosystem services s r i e losto t Per-capita imperviousness Imperviousness index

5% EIA Provision - Problem 3 On the Flip Side No Recognition of the Environmental Performance of: Good Location - Infill and Redevelopment Good Form - Compact Design

A Better Approach Location, Scale, & Context Matter Integrate the Solutions to Fit the Context

Ventura s s Stormwater Permit The RPAMPs

R-What? Redevelopment Project Area Master Plan A way to credit infill and redevelopment a defined planning area within a city (permittee( permittee) Must be approved by Regional Board Can receive credit inside the RPAMP - on-site requirements can be reduced Permittee(s) ) or a coalition of may apply to the Regional Board for approval of an (RPAMP) for projects within Redevelopment Project Areas. RPAMP may substitute in part or wholly for on -site requirements.

RPAMP Upside: Gets Location Right

RPAMP

Inside an RPAMP Strategies that fit the development context LID Techniques

Inside an RPAMP Credit design strategies that fit the development context Infill & Redevelopment Mixed Use Density Streets and Parking Affordable Housing LID Techniques - urban sites -

RPAMP Potential Downsides Administrative Nightmare??? How big and where??? What are the performance thresholds???

Urban Design BMPs Tools to prevent and shrink the footprint development - Infill - Redevelopment - Mix Uses - Higher Density - Mobility y and Pedestrian Access - Parking Policies - Street Design - Housing Affordability - Job OptionsO

The watershed s s perspective Infill INFILL SPRAWL

Urban Design BMPs: : Mixed Use - Infill 176 Apartment Units (100 Units/Acre) 47 Affordable Units 12,000 sq. ft. of Retail 2006 Project of the Year Business Journal How would this development demand (176 Units and 12,000 sq. ft. of retail) look out in the watershed? 1801 L st.. SKK Development

Urban Design BMP: Residential Infill Capital Park Homes 25 du/ac 64 Single-family Town Homes Tuck-under under Garage Work/Office on First Floor Metro Square by: Saris Regis 45 Residential Units How would 109 Units + Parking look out in the watershed?

The watershed s s perspective Redevelopment A George Washington University study (2002) found that for every brownfield acre that is redeveloped, 4.5 acres of open space are preserved. Analysis in King County, Washington, found enough vacant and eligible redevelopment property to accommodate 263,000-500,000 people.

Urban Design BMPs: : Redevelopment 800 J Street CIM Group How would this development demand (225 residential units and GF retail) look out in the watershed?

The watershed s s perspective Mixing Uses This type of housing..is served by this type of retail, roads, and parking

The watershed s s perspective Mixing Uses Researchers at Purdue University examined two possible project sites s in the Chicago area and found that the hypothetical low density development on the urban fringe would produce 10 X the runoff the a mixed-use development in the urban core.

Urban Design BMPs: : TOD, Mixed,Infill Alhambra at S by: Trammell Crow Residential 4.26 Acres 278 Condominium Units (65 Units/acre) 4,486 sq. s. ft. of RetailR 7-level Parking Garage 420 Parking r Spaces How would this development demand (278 Units and 4,486 sq. ft. of retail, 420 Parking Spaces) look out in the watershed?

Thanks and Stay Tuned! clark anderson www.water.lgc.org canderson@lgc.org 916-448 448-1198