Green Infrastructure and Low Impact Development in Northwest Indiana

Conservation Design Forum | Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission USEPA | Northwest Indiana MS4 Community Partnership

Two out of every three people in the world will be facing water shortages by 2025global conflict will inevitably result
United Nations

Low Impact Development is a planning approach that

concentrates site development on areas least sensitive to disturbance uses distributed, on-site stormwater best management practices (BMPs) to emulate natural hydrology, reduce runoff, and improve water quality. BMPs can be simple, nonstructural, low-tech, and low cost (e.g., vegetation), more complex when necessary helps address: wet weather flows, Combined Sewer Overflows, National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permits, Total Maximum Daily Load permits, and Nonpoint Source Pollution Program goals. can be applied to almost any element of the developed landscapebuildings, yards, driveways, roads, walkways, open

What kinds of strategies are used?

Conserving open space and protecting streams, wetlands, and wet soils Reducing the use (and cost) of pipes, detention ponds, curbs and gutters, mass site clearing and grading, and paving Reducing and disconnecting impervious surfaces (roads, sidewalks, rooftops) Preserving and using the natural topography and drainage features of the landscape, as well as some engineered systems, to manage stormwater, such as

Examples of stormwater BMPs

Natural landscape systems Green roofs Bioswales and rain gardens Permeable paving Rain barrels and cisterns Naturalized retention

Low Impact Development

Benefits Preserves and integrates open space Creates / preserves naturalized drainage systems Improves aesthetic views Protects water quality Minimizes changes to the natural hydrologic cycle (less flooding) Increases property value Cost Implications Reduces regulatory burden (mitigation, stormwater mgt) Reduces site grading and infrastructure costs Reduces engineering costs Increases approval time / cost

Create Conditions to Support Low Impact Development

Establish local commitment and support Policies, funding, incentives, practices, standards, rules, codes and regulations must point in the same direction to create the right conditions for implementation Stormwater management, drainage and detention Natural area protection and management Landscaping Parking and transportation Zoning and subdivision standards Block and lot dimensions and setbacks Street and sidewalk dimensions Development density, lot yield, and bulk

How are these practices integrated into development?

Site Design

Site Design First Principles

Identify and protect natural features and open space early Use site topography and natural drainage patterns to guide site layout and stormwater management Use the natural landscape and engineered, naturalized drainage and detention BMPs to filter and infiltrate stormwater on site Reduce the impervious area of development Allow flexibility in lot size, street, block, and lot layout Calculate site yield based on developable space the total site area minus floodplains, wetlands, waterways, steep slopes, natural areas Concentrate built areas in a range of lot sizes and orientations to create views, privacy, and amenities for each home

Site Boundary Wetlands Floodplain Soils Vegetation

Step 1: Identify sensitive areas

Wetlands, floodplain, remnant woodlands

No limitations

Hydric soils

Site access

Topography

Step 2: Identify development and restricted areas

Step 3: Develop site plan

Permeable paving and rain gardens

Green roofs

Bioswales

Level spreaders

Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center, Wolf Lake, IN

Water Landscape Rain Gardens Bioswales Pavement Base Native reuse

Conservation Design Templates

Moderate-Density Residential

Moderate-Density Residential

Conventional (90 lots) Wide roads No public open space Storm sewers that discharge into turf or rip-rap-lined detention basins

Conservation (90 lots) Narrower streets Integrated, naturalized stormwater system Public trails and open space Views of naturalized open space

Native Landscaping

Naturalized Detention

Bioswale

Vegetated Swale/ Rain Garden

Combined infrastructure & landscape cost 10% to 15% less than conventional template. 50% less detention required.

Moderate Density Residential

Conventional $3,350,000 ($37,600/lot) / Conservation $2,880,000 ($32,400/lot)
$1,000,000

$900,000

$800,000

$700,000

$600,000 Conventional Conservation

$500,000

$400,000

$300,000

$200,000

$100,000

$1. Site 2. Stormwater Preparation1 Management 3. Sanitary Sewer 4. Water Distribution 5. Site Paving and Sidewalks 6. Landscape Design Development Contingency2

Conservation Design Templates

Commercial / Industrial / Multi-Family

Commercial/Industrial/Multi-Family

Green roof garden for second floor units

Green roof garden for second floor units

Typical strip mall Two big box retail establishments Isolated outlet shops Parking, landscaping, and detention according to code

Main Street retail setting Big box retail incorporates green roof Second floor mixed-use areas Parking areas feature permeable paving, bioswales, and naturalized landscaping

Bioswale

Naturalized Detention

Green Roof

Porous Pavement

Similar combined infrastructure and landscaping cost as conventional template. Significant potential for additional commercial space. 40% less detention required.

Conservation Design Templates

Rural Residential

Rural Residential

Conventional (22 lots) Cul-de-sac design Storm sewers discharge into detention basins

Conservation Design (22 lots) Narrow lane streets Naturalized stormwater detention Naturalized landscaping Walking and biking trails

Vegetated Swale

Naturalized Detention

Rain Garden

Native Landscaping

Combined infrastructure and landscape cost 5% to 10% less than the conventional template. 70% less detention required.

Rural Residential
Conventional $1,570,000 ($71,000/lot) / Conservation $1,470,000 ($67,000/lot)
$700,000

$600,000

$500,000

$400,000 Conventional Conservation $300,000

$200,000

$100,000

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Low Impact Development A Comparison of Two Different Land Plans in Arkansas

Projected Results From Total Development Total Site Lot Yield Linear Feet Street Linear Feet Collector Street Linear Feet Drainage Pipe Drainage Structures Inlets/Boxes/Headwalls Estimated Total Cost Estimated Cost per Lot Conventional Plan 358 21,770 7,360 10,098 103 $4,620,600 $12,907 Sustainable Plan 375 21,125 0 6,733 79 $3,942,100 $10,512

Actual Results from First Phase of Development Phase 1 Lot Yield Total Cost Total Cost Per Lot Conventional Plan (Engineer's Estimate) 63 $1,028,544 $16,326 Sustainable Plan (Actual Figures) 72 $828,523 $11,507

Low Impact Development A Comparison of Two Different Land Plans in Arkansas

Economic and Other Benefits From Low Impact Development Higher Lot Yield Higher Lot Value Lower Cost Per Lot Enhanced Marketability Added Amenities Recognition Total Economic Benefit 17 additional lots $3,000 more per lot over competition $4,800 less cost per lot 80 percent of lots sold in first year 23.5 acres of green-space/parks National, state, and professional groups More than $2,200,000 added to profit