Consider Potential Stormwater Best Management Practices (BMPs) for Housing Assistance Policy

At the regular August meeting, the Board discussed in general terms various areas of interest to develop BMPs for inclusion in the Housing Assistance Policy.  The areas of focus that were identified included water management (stormwater and waste water), energy conservation (efficiency and alternative energy options), walkability, resource efficiency, and sustainable landscaping. 

Staff has begun to develop or identify specific practices that could be used for stormwater BMPs.  The following practices could be considered:

• Use of green roof(s) (helps with stormwater retention and reducing heat island effect)
• Use of porous pavements (will need to specify that a maintenance agreement is required)
• Stormwater harvesting systems, such as above or below ground cisterns, that are the primary source of water for irrigation
• Use of vegetated swales and/or vegetated filter strips adjacent to hard surfaces such as parking lots and or roads to promote infiltration and treat stormwater
• Use of ribbon curbing or inclusion of curb cuts in parking areas and adjacent to roadways to promote infiltration

Certain aspects of sustainable landscapes could also tie in with stormwater management.  For instance, maintaining or creating a vegetative buffer around water bodies and wetlands would promote infiltration while also removing pollutants and sediment before the runoff enters the water body.  Cross-over of certain practices is likely to exist amongst several of these BMP categories and thus, it may be beneficial to determine whether to include them in multiple areas with a disclaimer that credit is only applicable once or to limit their inclusion into the 'primary' category.

The Board should consider the proposed BMPs and be prepared to discuss any others that could be incorporated under the general topic of stormwater.  Again, it is the intent to have this be a 'living' document that can be updated as needed into the future.  Staff will continue to identify specific practices for consideration at future meetings.

Based on discussion.