TITLE
Recommendation to respectfully request City Manager to work with the City Attorney to research and draft a Low Impact Development (LID) ordinance for the public and private sectors and update existing development standards where appropriate; and
Request City Manager to present the draft ordinance to the Planning Commission, the Sustainable City Commission and the Environmental Committee for input before returning to the City Council within 180 days for final approval.
DISCUSSION
What is Low Impact Development (LID)?
According to the California Coastal Commission, Low Impact Development is “gaining popularity as a better approach to stormwater management that seeks to control stormwater at the source, using small-scale integrated site design and management practices to mimic the site’s natural hydrology. LID techniques include using permeable pavements, rain gardens, rain barrels, grassy swales, soil amendments, and native plants. Preserving natural vegetation and natural drainage patterns are also important LID tools. LID techniques can help development meet water resource protection goals and requirements, while providing benefits to developers, property owners, and communities.”
Impact Development (LID) is “an approach to stormwater management that emphasizes the use of smallscale, natural drainage features integrated throughout the city to slow, clean, infiltrate and capture urban runoff and precipitation, thus reducing water pollution, replenishing local aquifers and increasing water reuse.”
Surfrider describes Low Impact Development as “a site design that aims to maintain and restore the water cycle in developing watersheds. Sometimes coined “Green Infrastructure”, LID uses site-specific engineering designs that utilize Best Management Practices (BMPs) to infiltrate, filter, store and treat stormwater close to its source. LID techniques are most effective when they are incorporated into the design for new development, but both commercial and re...
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