403 Site Design – Above Green

Intent

The project is designed to avoid detrimental environmental impacts, minimize any unavoidable impacts, and mitigate for those impacts that do occur. The project is designed to minimize environmental impacts and to protect, restore, and enhance the natural features and environmental quality of the site.

[To acquire points allocated for the design, the intent of the design is implemented.]

403.1 - Natural resources

Natural resources are conserved by one or more of the following:

403.1(1)

A natural resources inventory is used to create the site plan. (MANDATORY; 5 points)

Visit site and review inventory for appropriateness. Confirm inventory used in site plan creation. Confirm inventory was done by a qualified professional and note name/company in notes column along with top 3 resources.

Required Documentation

Natural resources inventory for this site.

Necessary Info

List top 3 priority resources to preserve:

403.1(2)

A plan to protect and maintain priority natural resources/areas during construction is created. (Also see Section 404 for guidance in forming the plan.) (MANDATORY; 5 points)

Visit site and verify protection plan has been effectively implemented and resources protected.

Required Documentation

Natural resources protection and maintenance plan.

403.1(3)

Member of builder’s project team participates in a natural resources conservation program. (4 points)

Review documentation and interview team members to verify participation.

Required Documentation

List of team members, program name, and nature of their involvement.

Necessary Info

Describe participation:

403.1(4)

Streets, buildings, and other built features are located to conserve high priority vegetation. (5 points)

Visit site and verify conservation of high priority vegetation consistent with plan.

Required Documentation

Site plan showing location of high priority vegetation and locations of proposed improvements.

403.1(5)

Developer has a plan for removal or containment of invasive plants, as identified by a qualified professional, from the disturbed areas of the site. (3 points)

Visit site to verify plan has been implemented for the disturbed areas of the site.

Required Documentation

Site plan showing removal or containment of invasive species.

Necessary Info

Identify Name/Company and Main Concern:

403.1(6)

Developer has a plan for removal or containment of invasive plants, as identified by a qualified professional, on the undisturbed areas of the site. (6 points)

Visit site to verify plan has been implemented for the undisturbed areas of the site.

Required Documentation

Site plan showing removal or containment of invasive species.

Necessary Info

Identify Name/Company and Main Concern:

403.2 - Building orientation

A minimum of 75 percent of the building sites are designed with the longer dimension of the structure to face within 20 degrees of south (6 points)

Verify land development conforms to site plan.

Required Documentation

Identify on the site plan all building sites where the longer dimension of the structure will be within 20 degrees of south.

403.3 - Slope disturbance

Slope disturbance is minimized by one or more of the following:

403.3(1)

Hydrological/soil stability study is completed and used to guide the design of all buildings on the site. (5 points)

Review study and implementation of appropriate design recommendations.

Required Documentation

Completed hydrological/soil stability study.

Necessary Info

Steep slope / hydrological study done by:

403.3(2)

All or a percentage of roads are aligned with natural topography to reduce cut and fill.

10 percent to 25 percent (1 point)
25 percent to 75 percent (4 points)
greater than 75 percent (6 points)

Review report and verify percentage is consistent with site visit observation.

Required Documentation

Engineer's statement or report indicating the percent of roads aligned with natural topography that reduce cut and fill by at least 10% over other alternatives providing a similar number of lots.

Necessary Info

Describe nature and extent of slope on total site and steps taken to minimize disturbance:

403.3(3)

Long-term erosion effects are reduced by the use of clustering, terracing, retaining walls, landscaping, and restabilization techniques. (6 points)

Verify by inspection on site that items implemented meet the intent to reduce long-term erosion.

Required Documentation

Site plan showing erosion control techniques.

Necessary Info

Describe steps taken to reduce erosion:

403.4 - Soil disturbance and erosion

A site Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) is developed in accordance with applicable stormwater Construction General Permits. The plan includes one or more of the following:

403.4(1)

Construction activities are scheduled to minimize length of time that soils are exposed. (4 points)

Verify by documentation review and site visit. Confirm that the project is adhering to the schedule.

Required Documentation

Scheduling documentation showing steps taken to minimize soil exposure.

Necessary Info

Describe steps taken to minimize exposure:

403.4(2)

Utilities are installed by alternate means such as directional boring in lieu of open-cut trenching. Shared easements or common utility trenches are utilized to minimize earth disturbance. Low ground pressure equipment or temporary matting is used to minimize excessive soil consolidation. (5 points)

Verify by observation to the extent possible. Interview the site supervisor for additional confirmation. This must be done for all heavy equipment used on the lot throughout the construction process.

Required Documentation

Utility construction plans showing boring, common utility trenches, and/or shared easements needed to reduce soil disruption and erosion. Scope of work of utility contractors requiring measures to minimize excessive soil compaction.

Necessary Info

Describe alternate utility approaches taken:

403.4(3)

Limits of clearing and grading are demarcated. (4 points)

Verify by inspection that limits are marked on-site in accordance with the plan.

Required Documentation

Site specific development plan showing limits of clearing and grading.

403.5 - Stormwater management

The stormwater management system is designed to use low-impact development/green infrastructure practices to preserve, restore or mitigate changes in site hydrology due to land disturbance and the construction of impermeable surfaces through the use of one or more of the following techniques:

403.5(1)

A site assessment is conducted and a plan prepared and implemented that identifies important existing permeable soils, natural drainage ways and other water features, e.g., depressional storage, onsite to be preserved in order to maintain site hydrology. (7 points)

Required Documentation

Site specific development plan showing how natural water and drainage features are preserved and used.

Necessary Info

Describe natural features used for stormwater management:

403.5(2)

A hydrologic analysis is conducted that results in the design and installation of a stormwater management system that maintains the predevelopment (stable, natural) runoff hydrology of the site through the development or redevelopment process. Ensure that post construction runoff rate, volume and duration do not exceed predevelopment rates, volume and duration. (10 points)

Required Documentation

Site specific stormwater management plan that minimizes concentrated flows and uses vegetative swales, French drains, wetlands, drywells, rain gardens and/or other similar features.

403.5(3)

Low-Impact Development/Green infrastructure stormwater management practices to promote infiltration and evapotranspiration are used to manage rainfall on the lot and prevent the off-lot discharge of runoff from all storms up to and including the volume of following storm events:

80th percentile storm event (5 points)
90th percentile storm event (8 points)
95th percentile storm event (10 points)

Verify stormwater plan is implemented.

Required Documentation

Stormwater Management Plan with engineer's calculation for 80th, 90th, or 95th percentile storm.

Necessary Info

Developer's calculated % of permeable materials used:

403.5(4)

Permeable materials are used for driveways, parking areas, walkways and patios according to the following percentages:

[Points for vegetative paving systems are only awarded for location receiving more than 20 inches per year of annual average precipitation]

10 percent to less than 25 percent (add 2 points for use of vegetative paving system) (2 points)
25-50 percent (add 4 points for use of vegetative paving system) (5 points)
greater than 50 percent (add 6 points for use of vegetative paving system) (10 points)

Verify by inspection that percentage of permeable surface is consistent with points claimed. Percent is based on total hardscaped surface.

Required Documentation

Site specific development plan delineating areas of roads, driveways, parking areas, walkways, and patios. Includes identification of all locations of permeable materials & type. Includes calculation showing percentage of permeable materials used.

Necessary Info

Developer's calculated % of permeable materials used:

403.6 - Landscape plan

A landscape plan is developed to limit water and energy use in common areas while preserving or enhancing the natural environment utilizing one or more of the following:

403.6(1)

A plan is formulated to restore or enhance natural vegetation that is cleared during construction. Landscaping is phased to coincide with achievement of final grades to ensure denuded areas are quickly vegetated. (6 points)

Verify by review of landscape plan and construction schedule. Confirm that activities are on schedule during any site visit.

Required Documentation

Site specific landscaping plan identifies areas to be restored/enhanced. Evidence that landscaping is scheduled to occur reasonably soon after achievement of final site grades.

Necessary Info

Describe landscape plans including extent of areas to be landscaped:

403.6(2)

On-site native or regionally appropriate trees and shrubs are conserved, maintained, and reused for landscaping to the greatest extent possible. (6 points)

Verify by inspection that landscaping plan was executed.

Required Documentation

Site specific landscaping plan that indicates which trees and/or vegetation are conserved or to be re-used.

Necessary Info

Describe landscape plans including extent of areas to be landscaped:

403.6(3)

Non–invasive vegetation that is native or regionally appropriate for local growing conditions is selected to promote biodiversity. (7 points)

Verify by inspection that planted species are appropriate. Check against available local and/or state invasive plant lists.

Required Documentation

Site specific landscaping plan specifying native/regionally appropriate grass, trees, & other vegetation to be used.

Necessary Info

Describe landscape plans including extent of areas to be landscaped:

403.6(4)

EPA WaterSense Water Budget Tool or equivalent is used when implementing the site vegetative design. (10 points)

Verify by inspection that turf area is consistent with the calculation and appropriate points claimed.

Required Documentation

Completed EPA WaterSense Water Budget Tool (Excel or PDF).

403.6(5)

Where turf is being planted, Turfgrass Water Conservation Alliance (TWCA) or equivalent third-party qualified water efficient grasses are used. (6 points)

Verify by document review and inspection of turf planted.

Required Documentation

Evidence that TWCA or equivalent grasses were selected and installed.

403.6(6)

For landscaped vegetated areas, the maximum percentage of all turf areas is:

0 percent (10 points)
Greater than 0 percent to less than 20 percent (8 points)
20 percent to less than 40 percent (6 points)
40 percent to 60 percent (4 points)

Verify by document review and inspection. Confirm that the calculated percentage is appropriate.

Required Documentation

Calculated total of turf areas as a percentage of the entire landscaped area of the site development or WaterSense Budget Tool

Necessary Info

Developer's calculated % of turf area =

403.6(7)

To improve pollinator habitat, at least 10 percent of planted areas are composed of flowering and nectar producing plant species. Invasive plant species shall not be utilized. (6 points)

Verify by documentation review and inspection.

Required Documentation

Plan with locations/types of plants, showing flowering and nectar producing species.

403.6(8)

Non-potable irrigation water is available to common areas (2 points)

Verify by plan/documentation review and inspection.

403.6(9)

Non-potable irrigation water is available to lots. (4 points)

Verify by documentation review and inspection.

403.6(10)

Plants with similar watering needs are grouped (hydrozoning). (4 points)

Verify by documentation review and inspection.

Required Documentation

Plan with locations/types of plants, showing that plants are grouped based on watering needs.

403.6(11)

Species and locations for tree planting are identified and utilized to increase summer shading of streets, parking areas, and buildings and to moderate temperatures. (5 points)

Verify by documentation review.

Required Documentation

Plan with locations and species of trees intended to provide summer shading of streets, parking areas and buildings.

403.6(12)

Vegetative wind breaks or channels are designed as appropriate to local conditions. (4 points)

Verify by documentation review.

Required Documentation

Site specific landscaping plan showing the location of vegetative wind breaks.

403.6(13)

On-site tree trimmings or stump grinding of regionally appropriate trees are used to provide protective mulch during construction or as base for walking trails, and cleared trees are recycled as sawn lumber or pulp wood. (4 points)

Verify by documentation review and inspection.

Required Documentation

Construction and Demolition Plan for this development that indicates how and when tree trimmings and other clearing debris will be re-used.

403.6(14)

An integrated common area pest management plan to minimize chemical use in pesticides and fertilizers is developed. (4 points)

Verify by documentation review.

Required Documentation

Documented pest management plan minimizing use of pesticides & fertilizers to control pests and unwanted vegetation.

403.6(15)

Plans for the common area landscape watering system include a weather-based or soil moisture-based controller. Required irrigation systems are designed in accordance with the IA Landscape Irrigation Best Management Practices. (6 points)

Verify by documentation review that plans are in accordance with IA’s 2014 Landscape Irrigation Best Management Practices

Required Documentation

Plans/documentation for watering system per the practice designed per the Irrigation Association’s Turf and Landscape Best Management Practices.

403.6(16)

Trees that might otherwise be lost due to site construction are transplanted to other areas on-site or off-site using tree-transplanting techniques to ensure a high rate of survival. (4 points)

Verify by documentation review and inspection if transplanted on-site.

Required Documentation

Site Construction plan showing trees to be transplanted and techniques.

403.6(17)

Gray water irrigation systems are used to water common areas. Gray water used for irrigation conforms to all criteria of Section 802.1. (7 points)

Verify by documentation review.

Required Documentation

Irrigation Plan showing gray water distribution areas.

403.6(18)

Cisterns, rain barrels, and similar tanks are designed to intercept and store runoff. These systems may be above or below ground, and they may drain by gravity or be pumped. Stored water may be slowly released to a pervious area, and/or used for irrigation of lawn, trees, and gardens located in common areas. (6 points)

Verify by inspection if above ground; by documentation review if below ground.

Required Documentation

Site plan showing the locations of the wate collection devices or sytems.

403.6(19)

Spray irrigation.

Is not present on slopes steeper than 25% (i.e., where the land rises more than a foot vertically for every 4 feet horizontally). (2 points)
Has been tested in accordance with the ASABE/ICC 802, “Landscape Irrigation Sprinkler and Emitter Standard” and there is documentation of the sprinklers achieving a lower quarter distribution uniformity of at least 0.65. (2 points)
Is installed to eliminate low head/point drainage and runoff. (2 points)
Spray irrigation is not used (6 points)

Verify by inspection. Low head drainage occurs when the sprinkler system is installed on a sloped area. The slope does not need to be very high, a change of elevation of less than a foot can create low head drainage. After the sprinklers are turned off, the water in the pipes drains out through the lowest sprinkler heads and is replaced with air. The easiest way to tell if a site has low head drainage is to watch the sprinklers when turned on. If they spit and spew lots of air when the valve is turned on, there is a low head drainage problem. Obviously, the water that drains out of the pipes is wasted. The spewing and spitting of air every time you turn on the sprinklers also puts a lot of stress on the pipe and sprinklers.

Required Documentation

For (1-3), Irrigation plan or other documentation showing installation locations and product specifications of irrigation systems.

For (1-3), Describe irrigation system:

403.7 - Wildlife habitat

Verify by inspection that the planned measures have been implemented.

403.7(1)

Measures are planned that will support wildlife habitat. (6 points)

Required Documentation

Documentation in the site development plans for the location and type of wildlife habitat support measures.

Necessary Info

Describe steps taken to support wildlife:

403.7(2)

The site is adjacent to a wildlife corridor, fish and game park, or preserved areas and is designed with regard for this relationship. (3 points)

Required Documentation

Documentation in the site development plans for the location and type of wildlife habitat support measures.

Necessary Info

Describe steps taken to support wildlife:

403.7(3)

Outdoor lighting techniques are utilized with regard for wildlife. (3 points)

Required Documentation

Documentation showing outdoor lighting plan with regard to wildlife.

403.8 - Operation and maintenance plan

An operation and maintenance plan (manual) is prepared and outlines ongoing service of common open area, utilities (storm water, waste water), and environmental management activities. (6 points)

Required Documentation

Operation and maintenance manual.

Necessary Info

Describe extent of plan and who has responsibility for the ongoing implementation:

403.9 - Existing buildings

Following mitigation of any harmful materials, existing building(s) and structure(s) is/are preserved and reused, adapted, or disassembled for reuse or recycling of building materials.

Verify by inspection. Number and size of existing buildings that are preserved should be proportional to the size of the development.

403.9(1)

Building reuse or adaptation. (12 points)

Required Documentation

Site development plan identifying all existing buildings and structures that are to be preserved, re-used, modified, or disassembled for re-use or recycling of building materials.

Necessary Info

Describe existing structures that have been reused:

403.9(2)

Disassemble for reuse or recycling of building materials. (10 points)

Required Documentation

Site development plan identifying all existing buildings and structures that are to be preserved, re-used, modified, or disassembled for re-use or recycling of building materials.

Necessary Info

Describe existing structures that have been reused:

403.10 - Existing and recycled materials

Existing pavements, curbs, and aggregates are salvaged and reincorporated into the development or recycled asphalt or concrete materials are used as follows.

(Points awarded for every 10 percent of total building materials that are reused, deconstructed, and/or salvaged. The percentage is consistently calculated on a weight, volume, or cost basis; 15 points MAX.)

Verify by documentation review. Percentages of each type can be combined for total percent of material qualifying for this practice. Round down to the nearest 10%. Confirm during any applicable site visit that the practice is being implemented.

Required Documentation

Tabulation of all existing or recycled pavement, curbs, asphalt, concrete, and aggregates salvaged or reincorporated as a percentage of the project total for all pavements, curbs, and aggregates. The percentage of each type of materials can be combined; the percentage should be rounded down to the nearest 10% to determine the points.

403.10(1)

Existing pavements, curbs, and aggregates are reincorporated into the development. (3 points)

403.10(2)

Recycled asphalt or concrete with at least 50 percent recycled content is utilized in the project. (2 points)

403.11

A demolition waste management plan is developed, posted at the jobsite, and implemented to recycle and/or salvage for reuse a minimum of 50 percent of the nonhazardous demolition waste.

(5 points; 1 additional point awarded for every 10 percent of nonhazardous demolition waste recycled and/or salvaged beyond 50 percent; 10 points MAX).

Verify by documentation review.

Required Documentation

Demolition waste management plan showing reuse of at least 50% of nonhazardous demolition waste.

403.12 - Environmentally sensitive areas

403.12(1)

Environmentally sensitive areas as follows:

<25 percent of environmentally sensitive areas left undeveloped (2 points)
25 percent – 75 percent of environmentally sensitive areas left undeveloped (4 points)
>75 percent of environmentally sensitive areas left undeveloped (7 points)

Verify by document review and inspection. Points are not appropriate if there are no sensitive areas on the site. Check the Chapter 2 definition of environmentally sensitive areas to ensure the areas on site meet the definition.

Required Documentation

Site plan showing locations/description of environmentally sensitive areas to be avoided.

Necessary Info

Describe size/type of area avoided:

403.12(2)

Compromised environmentally sensitive areas are mitigated or restored. (10 points)

Verify by document review and inspection. The area and type of mitigation/restoration should be proportional to the size of the development and consistent with awarding 4 points for this practice. Points are not awarded for developer-caused damage unless the restoration goes above and beyond minimum requirements.

Required Documentation

Plan showing locations of compromised environmentally sensitive areas that have been mitigated or restored. Before and after photos.