1. Low Impact Development
In the Houston Region
Perspectives:
Design Margaret Robinson Asakura Robinson Co.
Construction David Batts Construction Eco Services
Agency Nick Russo Harris County Public Infrastructure Dept.
Landscape Architecture
Urban Design
Planning
2. Houston Land Water Sustainability Forum (HLWSF)
OBJECTIVES:
Explore land/water related practices, methods, technologies and materials which may
provide economic benefit and improve quality of life in the greater Houston area.
To weight our focus on practical applications rather than theoretical concepts.
To promote the implementation of practices that protect our land and water resources.
To engage the broadest possible range of constituencies, including public agencies, in
order to facilitate and speed adoption of practices.
To track the progress of adoption and implementation of sustainable land/water practices
Bob Adair-Steering Committee Chair, International Erosion Control Association (SCIECA)
US Green Building Council (USGBC)
American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), Houston Council of Engineering Companies (HCEC)
American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA), American Institute of Architects, Houston (AIA)
Associated General Contractors of America (AGC), Greater Houston Builders Association (GHBA)
Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC)
Harris County Public Infrastructure Dept., Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD)
City of Houston, Public Works, Engineering and Code Enforcement Departments
Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT)
Bayou Preservation Association (BPA)
Energy Corridor District
Texas Coastal Watershed Program
3. LID-low impact development – what is it?
LID is an approach to land development that works with nature to
manage stormwater as close to its source as possible.
LID employs principles such as preserving and recreating natural
landscape features, minimizing imperviousness to create functional
and appealing site drainage that treats stormwater as a resource rather
than a waste product.
There are many practices that have been used to adhere to these Westpark Tollway
principles such as bioretention facilities (bioswales), vegetated swales,
rain gardens, vegetated rooftops (greenroofs), rain barrels, tanks and
cisterns, and permeable pavements.
LID Works Everywhere
LID can be applied to new development, redevelopment, or as retrofits
to existing development. LID has been adapted to a range of land uses
from high density ultra-urban settings to low density development.
LID and Green Infrastructure
Citation Campus
EPA intends the term "green infrastructure" to generally refer to
systems and practices that use or mimic natural processes to infiltrate,
evapotranspirate or reuse stormwater or runoff on the site where it is
generated.
http://www.epa.gov/owow/NPS/lid/
Gene Green Park
4. LID-benefits
Filters stormwater through plants /engineered soil mixes-
removes 80%+ pollutants, total suspended solids (TSS) and
heavy metals
Diverts floatable trash from stormwater systems, bayous, lakes
Horn Elementary
Provides detention volume within media, swales, reservoirs
Bioswales may reduce drainage system costs by up to 30%
Captures rainwater for use as a resource rather than discarded
as a waste product
Adds landscape area
Creates wildlife and native plant habitat Dickenson Library
Contributes to LEED, Sustainable Sites, Green Roadway and
Living Building Challenge point systems
Encourages coordination between Engineers, Hydrologists,
Landscape Architects, Architects, Contractors, Maintenance
Programs, Clients
Meador Library
5. LID projects-constructed
2009 Gene Green Park Harris County Precinct 2
2009 Kendall Library City of Houston, English Assoc. Arch.
2009 Federal Reserve Bank-Bioswales
2009 Houston Arboretum
2009 Inverness Residence Strasser Ragni Arch.
2010 Meador Library Harris County Precinct 2, English Assoc. Arch.
2010 Firestation 90 City of Houston, English Assoc. Arch
2010 Lonestar College Conroe Campus
2010 Westside Senior Educ. Center Harris County Precinct 3, BNIM
2010 Westchase Drainage Corridor Westchase Manage. District
2010 New Hope Housing, Sakowitz Val Glitsch Arch.
2011 Horn Elementary School HISD, English Assoc. Arch.
2011 Lonestar College Atascocita Campus
2011 Lonestar College Victory Center
2011 Dickenson Library Rain Garden TX AgriLife
2011 Peck Elementary School Taft Architects
2011 Federal Reserve Bank-Green Roof
2011 DeChaumes Elementary HISD, ArcTec Assoc.
6. LID projects-in design/construction
2012 Bagby St. Reconstruction Midtown Manag. Dist., WPMoore Eng.
2012 New Hope Housing, Rittenhouse Glassman Shoemake Maldonado Arch.
2012 Sherwood Forest Montessori English Assoc. Arch.
2012 McKenzie Park Subdivision Peron Dev.
2012 SARA Stormwater Audit URS
2012 MD Anderson Park Vaughn Construction
2012 Carnegie Vanguard High School HISD, Rey de la Reza Architects
2012 Brazoria County Parks: Quintana Beach Resoft, Mohawk and Follet’s Island
2012 Lockhart-Turner Elementary HISD, Harrison Kornberg Arch.
2013 N. Main St., Harris County Pct. 2 Dannenbaum Eng.
2013 TAMU Joint Library Facility Harrison Kornberg Arch.
2013 Mandell Park Houston Parks Board, Friends of Mandell Park
2014 Memorial Running Center MPC, Kirksey Arch.
2014 Almeda Blvd. Reconstruction City of Houston, TXDOT, WPMoore Eng.
2014 Springwoods Village, Dr. Cor. Coventry Dev., Design Workshop, WPM
2014 Historic Holman Street Recons. OST Almeda TIRZ
2014 Halls & Inwood Detention Basins COH, WPM/Dodson
7. The LID
Toolbox
Bioswales / Raingardens
Green Roofs
Cisterns / Tanks
Permeable Pavement
1919 DECATUR STREET
Raingarden (Bioretention Cells)
8. The LID
Toolbox
Bioswales / Raingardens
Green Roofs
Cisterns / Tanks
Permeable Pavement
FEDERAL RESERVE HOUSTON
Bioswale
9. The LID
Toolbox
Bioswales / Raingardens
Green Roofs
Cisterns / Tanks
Permeable Pavement
MEADOR LIBRARY
Bioswale with Underground Rain Tank
10. The LID
Toolbox
Bioswales / Raingardens
Green Roofs
Cisterns / Tanks
Permeable Pavement
GENE GREEN PARK
Bioswale
11. The LID
Toolbox
Bioswales / Raingardens
Green Roofs
Cisterns / Tanks
Permeable Pavement
LONESTAR COLLEGE ATASCOCITA
Raingarden (Bioretention Cells)
12. The LID
Toolbox
Bioswales / Raingardens
Green Roofs
Cisterns / Tanks
Permeable Pavement
LONESTAR COLLEGE ATASCACITA
Bioswale
13. The LID
Toolbox
Bioswales / Raingardens
Green Roofs
Cisterns / Tanks
Permeable Pavement
PECK ELEMENTARY
Bioswale
14. The LID
Toolbox
Bioswales / Raingardens
Green Roofs
Cisterns / Tanks
Permeable Pavement
L. Coffman
Bioswale
15. The LID
Toolbox
Bioswales / Raingardens
Green Roofs
Cisterns / Tanks
Permeable Pavement
McKenzie Park
Bioswales
16. The LID
Toolbox
Bioswales / Raingardens
Green Roofs
Cisterns / Tanks
Permeable Pavement
RESIDENCE IN HOUSTON
Green Roof
17. The LID
Toolbox
Bioswales / Raingardens
Green Roofs
Cisterns / Tanks
Permeable Pavement
FEDERAL RESERVE HOUSTON
Green Roof
18. The LID
Toolbox
Bioswales / Raingardens
Green Roofs
Cisterns / Tanks
Permeable Pavement
FEDERAL RESERVE HOUSTON
Green Roof
19. The LID
Toolbox
Bioswales / Raingardens
Green Roofs
Cisterns / Tanks
Permeable Pavement
FIRESTATION 90
Cisterns
20. The LID
Toolbox
Bioswales / Raingardens
Green Roofs
Cisterns / Tanks
Permeable Pavement
BAKER RIPLEY CENTER
Cisterns
21. The LID
Toolbox
Bioswales / Raingardens
Green Roofs
Cisterns / Tanks
Permeable Pavement
NEW HOPE HOUSING SAKOWITZ
Cisterns
22. The LID
Toolbox
Bioswales / Raingardens
Green Roofs
Cisterns / Tanks
Permeable Pavement
HOUSTON ARBORETUM
Cisterns
23. The LID
Toolbox
Bioswales / Raingardens
Green Roofs
Cisterns / Tanks
Permeable Pavement
KEMPWOOD MANOR
Permeable Pavement - Pavers
24. The LID
Toolbox
Bioswales / Raingardens
Green Roofs
Cisterns / Tanks
Permeable Pavement
KEMPWOOD MANOR.
Permeable Pavement - Pavers
25. The LID
Toolbox
Bioswales / Raingardens
Green Roofs
Cisterns / Tanks
Permeable Pavement
FIRESTATION 90
Permeable Pavement - Concrete
27. LID in LEED Same LID solution works for:
• SS 6.1: Stormwater Design – Quality Control
Can be applied to
12+ points • SS 6.2: Stormwater Design – Quantity Control
Underutilized • SS 7.1: Heat Island Effect – Non-roof
• WE 1: Water Efficient Landscaping
Low maintenance does not mean NO
maintenance – use LID to augment irrigation.
28. Economics Drives Ecology in Today’s Business Environment
Selling Low Impact Development on Economics
What Are The Existing Costs?
– Opportunity Costs – Real Estate for Detention Systems
– Upfront System Costs – Storm Sewer & Water Quality Systems
– Long-term Maintenance Costs
What Opportunities Exist?
– How can we use drainage as an amenity?
– How can we increase property values?
– How can we create a better sense of place?
29. Cost Distribution
Traditional Site Design Vs. Low Impact Development
Site Site
Furnishings Drainage Furnishings
Hardscapes
Design Svs Design Svs $$$$$$$
Softscapes Hardscapes Softscapes
30. Queenston Manor
Proving the Opportunity LID Affords Developers
Typical
detention
storage
7 residential
buildings
7.4 acres
31. Queenston Manor
Proving the Opportunity LID Affords Developers
LID design
spreads
drainage
throughout site
as an amenity
Redesign
yielded 2
additional
buildings
48 more
apartment
units
33. Lessons Learned
The System is Greater Than the Sum of It’s Parts
Media Performance is the Critical Component
Eliminate Choke Points in the Media Section
Match Underdrain to Media
Protect the System
34. Media Performance
A Better Understanding of Nature
Understanding Media Performance Will Improve System Functionality
Verifying Performance Will Insure Long Term Functionality
35. Choke Points
Fabrics are the Achilles Heel of LID
Bridge Media With Aggregate / Do Not Separate Media From Aggregate
Require Bridging Analysis in Specifications
Engineered Media -
12” – 48”
70% Sand -
25% Organic or Inorganic -
>5% Silt / Clay / Fines
3” – 6”
Intermediate Layer -
Fine Gravel 2mm – 4mm
12” – 60”
Drainage Layer
- Pea Gravel 1/4” – 3/8”
36. Systems Parts Must Match Performance
Underdrain Flow Must Match Media Flow
Perforated Pipe Has 2” of Orifice Opening Per Linear Foot
For High Flow Soils, Look To Higher Performing Underdrain Systems
37. Protect The System
Good Designs Are Compromised if Proper Protection is Neglected
Stabilize the Side Slopes ASAP / Do Not Wait For Construction to Commencer
Protect the Soils During Construction / An Ounce or Prevention is Worth a Gallon of Cure
40. developing LID criteria
Adopted April 2011
Only County in TX with LID criteria.
Optional, not every project must be LID.
YOU MUST HAVE A
PRE-PROJECT MEETING
41. developing LID criteria
Stakeholder review & public interest
County interest
Alternative designs, tools, BMPs
Storm water management (quantity & quality)
EPA Requirements
TCEQ MUD re-imbursements
Expect criteria to allow for MUD reimbursement for
LID projects
42. storm water quality
Increased treatment, similar to LEED.
Treatment of the 1” Water quality volume.
Although not specified, we believe the LID practices
will generally result in 80% TSS removal.
All LID based projects >1acre receive a SWQ permit.
43. engineered soil media
Treat the first 1” of runoff volume
Safety factor of 2.
actual design capacity of the soil is to be 60”/hr to
meet the 30”/hr criteria with safety factor.
In situ test (see Appendix B).
44. development considerations
Specific considerations for
development types:
Public Streets
Commercial Developments
Subdivisions
Ownership & Maintenance.
Safety cannot be compromised.
Safe conveyance of the 100 year
event.
45. LID projects
We’re gaining experience in LID projects, similar to
our LEED experience.
Past projects: Evelyn Meador Library, Gene Greene
Park
Roadways:
Birnamwood Dr. – (under construction)
N. Main – (in design)
A 3rd, (under evaluation).
46. Birnamwood drive – HC Pct 4
East of I-45, North of Cypresswood.
Road leads to Pct 4’s John Pundt Park & Spring Creek Greenway.
First LID-road project in our region.
58. Planning considerations
Consider the project goal
Evaluate project costs
Visualize the landscape plan
Determine vegetation establishment
59. our first experience
Eliminated offsite detention; reduced our floodplain
mitigation pond. -Reduced wetland impact. –SWQ treatment.
Saved ROW cost.
Saved cost of Storm sewer.
Reduced mowing to 1-2x/year.
Enhanced landscaping, warranty, irrigation.
Gained aesthetic benefit (road to Park).
Utilized 2 Bid packages (road & landscape).
Still evaluating all costs as we move through construction
(SWPPP, Extra work items, plants).
Next time- evaluate landscaping and seeding, single bid
package
60. resources
www.houstonlwsforum.org
Houston Land/Water Sustainability Forum
www.TexasLID.org
a centralized, accessible resource for important information and guidelines for
effectively implementing Low Impact Development (LID), or Green Infrastructure,
practices and policies across Texas. The website is collaborative effort between:
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Ecosystem Design Group
The Center for Research in Water Resources, University of Texas at Austin
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)
www.asla.org
Banking on Green: A Look at How Green Infrastructure Can Save Municipalities
Money and Provide Economic Benefits Community-wide. Joint report by American
Rivers, the Water Environment Federation, and the American Society of Landscape
Architects and ECO Northwest – April 2012