11/02/2009 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Search

WS — Item 4 WORK SESSION STAFF REPORT Work Session Item 4 Date: Council Work Session, November 2, 2009 To: City Council From: Michael Grochala Re: Bonestroo Professional Service Contract Low Impact Development (LID) Background In February of 2009 the City Council approved Resolution No. 09 -10 authorizing execution of a Mn/DNR Community Conservation Assistance Grant. The grant award was in the amount of $25,000 to assist with the development and updating of ordinances to address environmentally sensitive areas, storm water management, integrated tree preservation and landscaping requirements, planned unit development (PUD), low impact development (LID) and conservation design. On October 26, 2009 the city council tabled consideration of retaining Bonestroo Inc., to assist with the project pending further explanation of Low Impact Development (LID). Low Impact Development (LID) LID is an environmentally sensitive approach to stormwater management that seeks to manage rainfall where it falls using decentralized, small -scale controls that are integrated into a site's landscape features. LID's goal is to mimic a site's predevelopment hydrology by using design techniques that infiltrate, filter, store, evaporate, and detain runoff close to its source. Techniques are based on the premise that stormwater management should not be seen as stormwater disposal. Instead of conveying and managing / treating stormwater in large, costly end -of -pipe facilities located at the bottom of drainage areas, LID addresses stormwater through small, cost- effective landscape features located at the lot leveL These landscape features, known as Integrated Management Practices (IM's), are the building blocks of LID. Almost all components of the urban environment have the potential to serve as an IMP. This includes not only open space, but also rooftops, streetscapes, parking lots, sidewalks, and medians. LID is a versatile approach that can be applied equally well to new development, urban retrofits, and redevelopment / revitalization projects. The inclusion of Low Impact Development into the city' s regulatory framework is referenced repeatedly in the goals, policies and implementation components of the City's 1