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Sustainable Design in Public Works Projects

Sustainable Design in Public Works Projects. Dustin Wolff, AICP May 4, 2011. Mead & Hunt, Inc. Established in 1900 Planners, engineers, architects, scientists HQ in Madison; 4 WI offices 24 offices nationwide. Conservation Design Forum. Frequent partner

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Sustainable Design in Public Works Projects

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  1. Sustainable Design in Public Works Projects Dustin Wolff, AICP May 4, 2011

  2. Mead & Hunt, Inc. • Established in 1900 • Planners, engineers, architects, scientists • HQ in Madison; 4 WI offices • 24 offices nationwide

  3. Conservation Design Forum • Frequent partner • 30th St Industrial Corridor, Milwaukee • University of Wisconsin, Madison • Leaders in ecological design • Office in IL and MI • Thank you for many photos

  4. About this session • I am NOT an engineer • I am NOT an environmentalist • Bridge the gap • Our focus: • Zoning • Design guidelines • Municipal infrastructure specifications • Land development regulations • Implementation

  5. Regulations for Sustainability • View as “enabling” legislation • Focus on: • Creating opportunity • Good decision-making • Protecting ALL property owners • Enhancing neighborhoods and infrastructure • Encourage and incentivize

  6. Zoning • “…public health, safety, and general welfare…” • Allows government to regulate private property • Preserve/protect property and quality of life • MAX and MINs • Zoning can: • Hinder desired outcomes • Stifle creativity

  7. Wind Energy Wind Energy NONE OF THIS

  8. Wind Energy • PSC regulations and Wis Stats 66.0401 • Applies to units 1 MW or more • SWECS < 300kw • Not community friendly • Slanted against communities • Limits ability to regulate • Exception 66.0401(1m)(a): • “…serves to protect the public health or safety.” Capacity: 2 – 4MW Hub Height: ±260’ Blade Length: ±180’ Total Height: ±440’ Tip Speed: ±150mph

  9. Small Wind Energy ConversionSystems (SWECS) • Refer to it as MICRO WIND? • Focus on performance and safety standards • Public notification • Location/Setbacks/Fall Zone • Blade length • Nameplate capacity (1kw – 10kw) • Noise and shadow flicker • Other features (overspeed control, electrical connections, etc.)

  10. Geothermal (GSHP) • System type • Closed loop [horizontal/vertical/pond] • Open loop • Aquifer issues • USEPA and WDNR regulations on underground injection control (UIC)

  11. Geothermal (GSHP) • System siting • Permits • Proper setbacks • Avoid wells and septic systems • Construction practices • Extensive WNDR coordination • Reference State regulations • WDNR has staff w/ expertise • Ensures consistency

  12. Solar Energy Systems (SES) • Communities may require a permit • Be aware of “access rights” Statutes • Future development that impacts a solar receptor • Tree trimming on neighboring property

  13. Surface Regulations • Communities require paved surfaces • Surface area of most cities • Roof 25% • Pavement 35% • Combat requirements • Pavement requirements • MAX lot coverage • MIN greenspace 7 – 10 acres of parking

  14. Site Lighting • “Dark Sky” requirements • Specify lamp • Metal-halide vs. HPS/LPS • LED • Specify wattage • Require photometric plan • No spillage • Uniformity ratio (4:1) • Avoid hotspots (>10 fc) • Average 2.4 fc for non-res

  15. Surface Regulations • Permeable surfaces • Interlocking Pavers • Concrete • Asphalt

  16. Parking and Landscaping • Encourage shared parking • Require landscape areas/islands • Combat heat island effect • Bio-retention opportunities • Native and salt tolerant plantings

  17. Development and Land Divisions • Street Specifications • Water management • Utilities

  18. Roadways/Design Specs • Typical width • How is it determined? • Fire Department? • Urban vs. Rural • Pavement and subsurface • Specific base course aggregate • May specify MAX recycled material • Drainage • Traditional? • Integrated in ROW?

  19. Typical Section • Excessive width • No separation of bike/ped from traffic

  20. Alternative Typical Section

  21. Alternative Typical Section

  22. Stormwater Management • Break from the conventional

  23. Stormwater Management • New is not so new anymore • Rain Gardens • Bioretention • What is allowed in the ROW? • Maintenance? • Do you have a spec?

  24. Stormwater Management • Bioswale • Bioretention • Infiltration

  25. Subdivision Development

  26. Subdivision Development

  27. Subdivision Development • Evaluate ALL resources • Ag lands and recreation opportunities • Surface water, woodlands, wetlands • Critical species habitats and viewsheds • Develop preservation priorities • Acquisition vs. management • Use as a GROWTH MANAGEMENT TOOL

  28. Subdivision Development • Evaluate ecological features • Allow density transfer • Give bonuses • Think perpetuity

  29. Subdivision Development • Mixed use • Pedestrian density • Life-cycle housing • Public spaces • Multi-modal

  30. How to make this happen? • Political will and leadership • Department head buy-in • Include public safety • Get your ducks in a row • “Smart Growth” Plan • Sustainability Plan • Strategic Plan • Municipal Code • Educate and Encourage, not dictate • Incrementalism

  31. Immediate Action Items BE THE LEADER • Review planning, zoning, ordinance, and code requirements • Reduce obstacles to sustainable business practices • Offer incentives to encourage sustainability • Review policies/practices by department • Assess incentives for (re)development • TIF districts • Create revolving loan fund for sustainable improvements (businesses)

  32. Thank you Dustin Wolff, AICP Senior Planner Mead & Hunt, Inc dustin.wolff@meadhunt.com 608 443 0476

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