There are many reasons that people give for not using LID or LEED standards when developing property. It basically comes down to perceived costs and perceived benefits/barriers

1. LID and Policy: SustainableLID and Policy: Sustainable
Development PracticesDevelopment Practices
What is Stopping Us?What is Stopping Us?
Jon Barsanti JrJon Barsanti Jr
Masters in City and Regional PlanningMasters in City and Regional Planning
BA Interdisciplinary Study in Biology and ChemistryBA Interdisciplinary Study in Biology and Chemistry
jbarsanti@alumni.unc.edujbarsanti@alumni.unc.edu
919.943.1915919.943.1915
WhoWho
Developers
Designers
Departments
Decision
Makers
WhoWho
Developers
Designers
Departments
Decision
Makers
Others Aren’t
Others Are
Infrastructure
Good all
around
WhyWhy

2. WhoWho
Developers
Designers
Departments
Decision
Makers
Others Aren’t
Others Are
Infrastructure
Good all
around
WhyWhy WhyWhy
NotNot
“Cost”
Resistance
Ordinances
Fear of Loss
LandUse
Transportation WaterQuantity/
Water Quality
All Development Occurs in aAll Development Occurs in a
WatershedWatershed
Wetlands are more thanWetlands are more than
Undevelopable LandUndevelopable Land
Stream Buffers Impact DevelopmentStream Buffers Impact Development
and Developments Impact Streamand Developments Impact Stream
BuffersBuffers
All Land Uses have aAll Land Uses have a
Pollutant/Volume ProfilePollutant/Volume Profile

3. Undeveloped Land can be valuableUndeveloped Land can be valuable
LID & LEED can improve WaterLID & LEED can improve Water
Quality and Quantity; Cost LessQuality and Quantity; Cost Less
Need to view RunNeed to view Run--off as a Resourceoff as a Resource
Net Density versus Gross DensityNet Density versus Gross Density
All Development OccursAll Development Occurs
in a Watershedin a Watershed
Three Parts:
Watershed Critical Areas
Watershed Protected Areas
Remainder of the Watershed
Barriers:
• “Highest and Best Use of the Land;”
• One person’s/community’s out-flow is another’s
intake
Wetlands are more thanWetlands are more than
Undevelopable LandUndevelopable Land
Wetlands are nature’s filtration
system
Wetlands manage volume and
sediment load
Wetlands are key to wildlife
habitat preservation
Barrier: Wetland is undevelopable; Can fill and replace,
although manufactured is not as good as natural

4. Stream Buffers Impact DevelopmentStream Buffers Impact Development
Developments Impact StreamDevelopments Impact Stream
BuffersBuffers
Stream Buffers protect
encroachment on ecosystem by
development
Stream Buffers Protect
development from
encroachment by ecosystem
(e.g. floods.)
Barriers: Inconsistent setbacks between communities;
Vertical versus Horizontal Setbacks
All Land Uses have aAll Land Uses have a
Pollutant/VolumePollutant/Volume ProfileProfile
From Kimberly Brewer’s Presentation to the TJCOG Smart Growth Committee
ftp://ftp.tjcog.org/pub/tjcog/regplan/smrtgrow/devwq.pdf
Volume of water flow
Nutrients
Temperature of water flowing off the land
Toxins
Bacteria
All Land Uses have aAll Land Uses have a
Pollutant/VolumePollutant/Volume ProfileProfile
Data from A Nutrient Credit Trading Framework for the Jordan Lake Watershed: Using Market-Based Mechanisms to Make Watershed Restoration
More Cost-Effective
http://www.cfra-nc.org/documents/FinalReport-FullReport_000.pdf
Sources Land-Use Contribution
to N Load
Contribution
to P Load
Residential (SF)
29% 12%
Residential (MF)
Agriculture 36% 51%
Forest 19% 15%
Commercial/
Industrial
9% 6%
Other 7% 16%

5. All Land Uses have aAll Land Uses have a
Pollutant/VolumePollutant/Volume ProfileProfile
Data from A Nutrient Credit Trading Framework for the Jordan Lake Watershed: Using Market-Based Mechanisms to Make Watershed Restoration
More Cost-Effective
http://www.cfra-nc.org/documents/FinalReport-FullReport_000.pdf
Sources Land-Use Contribution
to N Load
Contribution
to P Load
Residential (SF) 14%
29% 12%
Residential (MF) 1%
Agriculture 20% 36% 51%
Forest 56% 19% 15%
Commercial/
Industrial
3% 9% 6%
Other 6% 7% 16%
http://www.cwp.org/Resource_Library/Center_Docs/PWP/ELC_PWP36.pdf
Soil
Compaction
Occurs in
almost all
situations
How much is
reversible?
http://www.cwp.org/Resource_Library/Center_Docs/PWP/ELC_PWP36.pdf2.652.65QuartziteQuartzite
2.22.2Concrete PavementConcrete Pavement
1.6 to 2.11.6 to 2.1ROW and Building PadsROW and Building Pads
(95% Compaction(95% Compaction))
1.5 to 1.81.5 to 1.8ROW and Building PadsROW and Building Pads
(85% Compaction)(85% Compaction)
1.8 to 2.01.8 to 2.0Athletic FieldsAthletic Fields
1.8 to 2.01.8 to 2.0Urban Fill SoilsUrban Fill Soils
1.5 to 2.01.5 to 2.0Crushed Rock Parking LotCrushed Rock Parking Lot
1.5 to 1.91.5 to 1.9Urban LawnsUrban Lawns
1.6 to 2.01.6 to 2.0Glacial TillGlacial Till
1.0 to 1.21.0 to 1.2Organic Silts/ClaysOrganic Silts/Clays
1.2 to 1.51.2 to 1.5Silt LoamsSilt Loams
1.3 to 1.41.3 to 1.4SiltSilt
1.41.4Silty sandsSilty sands
1.1 to 1.31.1 to 1.3Sandy SoilSandy Soil
1.01.0CompostCompost
0.2 to 0.30.2 to 0.3PeatPeat
Surface BulkSurface Bulk
Density (g/cc)Density (g/cc)
Undisturbed Soil Type or UrbanUndisturbed Soil Type or Urban
ConditionCondition
Table 1: Comparison of Bulk Density for undisturbedTable 1: Comparison of Bulk Density for undisturbed
Soils and Common Urban Conditions (Compiled fromSoils and Common Urban Conditions (Compiled from
various sources)various sources)

6. Reversing Compacted SoilsReversing Compacted Soils
• Soil Amendments
• Compost Amendments
• Reforestation
• Time
http://www.cwp.org/Resource_Library/Center_Docs/PWP/ELC_PWP37.pdf
Benefits ofBenefits of
Compost AmendmentsCompost Amendments
Compost Amendments Can:
• Increase Porosity
• Reduce Peak Flows
• Produce Thicker lawns
• Reduce Fertilizer Applications
and Watering Needs
• Create better lawns, faster
http://www.epa.gov/ednnrmrl/publications/reports/epa600r00016/epa600r00016.pdf EPA/600/R-00/016
Compost Amendments Appear to:
• Increase Concentrations of N and P
• Decrease Total N & P (Less water
means lower concentration)
• Amendments can be tilled or applied
directly and reseeded.
• 2:1 ratio soil to compost tilled to at
least 12 inches
• Construction compaction can reach
24 inches
http://www.epa.gov/ednnrmrl/publications/reports/epa600r00016/epa600r00016.pdf EPA/600/R-00/016
FAQ regardingFAQ regarding
Compost AmendmentsCompost Amendments

7. Barriers: It takes time and money to
measure predevelopment conditions and
post-development conditions
Cost to amend soil decreases, per lot, as
area amended increases
Other perspectives onOther perspectives on
Compost AmendmentsCompost Amendments
LID Can Improve WaterLID Can Improve Water
Quality & Water QuantityQuality & Water Quantity
How we develop
Where we develop
(and where we do not)
What we do with the Run-off
(Pipe or Percolate)
What is disturbed – What is
conserved?
LID Can Improve WaterLID Can Improve Water
Quality & Water QuantityQuality & Water Quantity
http://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/water_resource.htm http://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/water_density.htm

8. LID Can Improve WaterLID Can Improve Water
Quality & Water QuantityQuality & Water Quantity
http://www.jordancove.uconn.edu/jordan_cove/publications/final_report.pdf
• Impacts on Land Start At the
Grading Stage
• Fertilizers can have an impact
on water quality, even in LID
Neighborhoods
• Volume and Peak Flows were
kept at predevelopment levels.
• Need to Control Compaction,
Minimize Soil Disturbance, and
have on-site supervision.
LID Can Improve WaterLID Can Improve Water
Quality & Water QuantityQuality & Water Quantity
http://www.nahb.org/fileUpload_details.aspx?contentID=112936
Conventional Development
negatively impacts water-related
ecosystems
Impacts water Quality through
• Impervious Surfaces
• Introduction of Contaminants
• Site Location of Development
relative to natural features
LID Can Improve WaterLID Can Improve Water
Quality & Water QuantityQuality & Water Quantity
http://www.nahb.org/fileUpload_details.aspx?contentID=112936
Perceived Barrier: It costs
more and does not
provide a benefit to the
builder
Actual Barrier: Educating
the entire community to
the value versus costs of
LID
(Almost always costs less
than conventional)

9. LID Can Improve WaterLID Can Improve Water
Quality & Water QuantityQuality & Water Quantity
http://www.epa.gov/owow/nps/lid/costs07/documents/reducingstormwatercosts.pdf
… (In) the vast majority of cases,
significant savings were realized
due to:
• reduced costs for site grading
and preparation,
• stormwater infrastructure, site
paving, and landscaping.
• Total capital cost savings
ranged from 15 to 80 percent
when LID methods were used...
LID Can Improve WaterLID Can Improve Water
Quality & Water QuantityQuality & Water Quantity
http://www.epa.gov/owow/nps/lid/costs07/documents/reducingstormwatercosts.pdf
LID Can Improve WaterLID Can Improve Water
Quality & Water QuantityQuality & Water Quantity
Managing stormwater in Pierce County: Kensington Estates case study sheds light on low impact development
http://www.djc.com/news/en/11135654.html
• Site Design was 103 Lots on 24 Acres
• Conventional Site Design required 270,000 Cu Ft of
Stormwater Facilities
• LID Required 55,000 cu ft of stormwater facilities
• 62% of land was saved as open space
• Cost Savings of 20% to the Developer
• 10% More units were able to be built than
conventional design would have allowed.

10. LID: How do we defineLID: How do we define
conservation/disturbedconservation/disturbed
Type of ResidentialType of Residential
DevelopmentDevelopment
DisturbedDisturbed
SpaceSpace
Open SpaceOpen Space Conserved SpaceConserved Space
Low DensityLow Density
(e.g. 1 unit/2a)(e.g. 1 unit/2a)
Could be entireCould be entire
sitesite
YesYes –– may bemay be
yardyard
NoNo
ClusterCluster Could Be entireCould Be entire
sitesite
FragmentedFragmented NoNo
Open SpaceOpen Space 50% or less50% or less 50% or More50% or More Open Space canOpen Space can
be undevelopablebe undevelopable
ConservationConservation Less than 50%Less than 50% More than 50%More than 50% UndevelopableUndevelopable
area excludedarea excluded
Barrier(s): How each is defined varies by community/county
What is being conserved?What is being conserved?
Belvedere Subdivision – Charlottesville, VA
http://www.belvedereneighborhood.com
What is being conserved?What is being conserved?
Hidden Lakes Preserve – Wake Forest, NC
http://www.hiddenlake-crescent.com
2008
Green
Project of
the Year
NAHB Green
Building
Award

11. What is being conserved?What is being conserved?
Pleasant Green Farms – Hillsborough, NC – Durham County
http://www.pleasantgreenfarms.com/PropertyMap.aspx
What is being conserved?What is being conserved?
Bundoran Farm -- North Garden, VA
http://www.bundoranfarm.com/
What is being conserved?What is being conserved?
Bundoran Farm -- North Garden, VA
http://www.bundoranfarm.com/
Pale Yellow –
Public
Viewshed
Pale Peach –
Productive
Farmland
Green/Dark
Blue –
Active
Forestry
Wildlife
Habitat
Aqua Stream
Corridor &
Wetlands

12. What is being conserved?What is being conserved?
Bundoran Farm -- North Garden, VA
http://www.bundoranfarm.com/
Pale Yellow –
Public
Viewshed
Pale Peach –
Productive
Farmland
Green/Dark
Blue –
Active
Forestry
Wildlife
Habitat
Aqua Stream
Corridor &
Wetlands
What is being conserved?What is being conserved?
Bundoran Farm -- North Garden, VA
http://www.bundoranfarm.com/
Pale Yellow –
Public
Viewshed
Pale Peach –
Productive
Farmland
Green/Dark
Blue –
Active
Forestry
Wildlife
Habitat
Aqua Stream
Corridor &
Wetlands
What is being conserved?What is being conserved?
Bundoran Farm -- North Garden, VA
http://www.bundoranfarm.com/
Pale Yellow –
Public
Viewshed
Pale Peach –
Productive
Farmland
Green/Dark
Blue –
Active
Forestry
Wildlife
Habitat
Aqua Stream
Corridor &
Wetlands

13. Need to change thinking fromNeed to change thinking from
stormwater as waste tostormwater as waste to
stormwater as resource.stormwater as resource.
http://waterparadigm.org/indexen.php?web=./home/homeen.html http://www.onthecommons.org/media/pdf/original/OurWaterC
omonsOctober2008English.pdf
Barrier: Need
to change the
way we think
about water
Need to change thinking fromNeed to change thinking from
stormwater as waste tostormwater as waste to
stormwater as resource.stormwater as resource.
http://www.clemson.edu/restoration/events/past_events/sc_water_re
sources/t4_proceedings_presentations/t4_zip/zimmer.pdf
http://www.coe.neu.edu/environment/DOCUM
ENTS/Wingspread%20Final%20Report.pdf
Barrier: We cannot
solve our problems
at the same level of
thinking that
created them
We need a new
way of looking at
our water quality
and water quantity
problems
Need to change fromNeed to change from
Environment or Economy toEnvironment or Economy to
Environment & EconomyEnvironment & Economy
http://www.coe.neu.edu/environment/DOCUM
ENTS/Wingspread%20Final%20Report.pdf
“An urban area is an ecological system
wherein humans, habitat,
transportation and water infrastructure,
and terrestrial and aquatic flora and
fauna exist in symbiosis and
interdependence.
Urban fresh waters are the lifeline for
ecological and economical
sustainability, yet the fresh water
resources are being impaired to a point
that the integrity of urban waters has
been damaged by excessive
development and overuse….”

14. Need to Change thinking fromNeed to Change thinking from
stormwater as waste tostormwater as waste to
stormwater as resourcestormwater as resource..
http://www.coe.neu.edu/environment/DOCUM
ENTS/Wingspread%20Final%20Report.pdf
The concept of the Cities of the Future,
the fifth paradigm of urbanization… is a
paradigm of integration
• Future, and existing, urban
developments will accommodate
landscape, drainage, transportation
and habitat infrastructure systems
• Cities will be resilient to extreme
hydrological events and pollution
• There will be an optimal balance
between recreation, navigation and
other economic uses of water.
All Development Impacts Water Quality
Highest use versus the best use of the land
Wetlands and stream buffers are undervalued
One community’s outflow is another
community’s intake
Reducing usage of drinking water for irrigation and
toilets
Water is WaterWater is Water
Paradigm ShiftParadigm Shift
Barriers to ImplementingBarriers to Implementing
LEED Across the RegionLEED Across the Region
Similar to
Implementing
LID
“Everybody
knows….” it
costs more.
http://www.usgbc.org/ShowFile.aspx?DocumentID=2908

15. Barriers to ImplementingBarriers to Implementing
LEED Across the RegionLEED Across the Region
•
Sometimes,
its is not
about the
costs (price,)
rather it is
really playing
up the
benefits
http://www.usgbc.org/ShowFile.aspx?DocumentID=2908
Barriers to ImplementingBarriers to Implementing
LEED Across the RegionLEED Across the Region
Cost premiums ranging from
ZERO% to 6.27%
Energy Savings from 23% to
50%
Water Savings from Zero to
78%
Case Study: ResidentialCase Study: Residential
DevelopmentDevelopment
http://pdfserve.informaworld.com/316990__914017852.pdf
• 73 Projects
• Range Under 5 Acres to Over
100 Acres
• Utilization of LEED techniques
depend on points awarded and
cost to develop
• Gold and Platinum Certified
Utilize Green Technologies and
Green Construction
• Platinum tend to include
affordable housing and
Habitat/wetland restoration

16. Photograph: Chuck Burton AP May 5, 2010 News and Observer
Halted construction
fills N.C. waterways
with silt
BY PAGE IVEY - The Associated Press
http://www.danapointtimes.com/view/full_story/10385460/article-Keep-Your-Water--New-Regional-Water-Quality-Control-Board-Water-Quality-Regulations-?
November 19, 2010
San Diego –
South Orange
County
Restrictions on
Lawn Run-off
Restrictions on
Car wash Run-
off
"When all the plants have grown up, you
don't actually see any of the green plastic.
It's just a lush green environment on top of
the pond, so in theory there's a habitat for
fish, frogs, wildlife as well." Ryan Winston
Our Floating Future?Our Floating Future?
• Research by NC State
University and Bill Hunt
• Being Tested in City of
Durham – Hillendale Golf
Course and Museum of Life
and Science
• Originated in Montana
(2000)
• Costs: $30/sq ft
• Benefit: “natural”
removal of Phosphorus and
Nitrogen using
wetland/bog plants
News and Observer – 4/14/2010

17. Barriers to ImplementingBarriers to Implementing
LID Across the RegionLID Across the Region
Need to look at Decentralized solution
for a Decentralized problem
Our ordinances hold us back
“Everybody knows….”
Maintaining it after it is built
ConclusionConclusion
We have a new resource
We can ‘sing from the same
songbook.’
We can customize our solutions
to meet the requirements of our
communities and our region.
We can have a Win-Win-Win for
the consumer, the developer,
and the community.
If we ‘only’ apply to new
construction, existing conditions
will ‘only’ not get worse.

18. http://www.ecospecifier.org/
http://www.bre.co.uk/index.jsp
http://www.pharosproject.net/
http://www.bluewildernessgroup.com/
Jon Barsanti Jr.Jon Barsanti Jr.
jbarsanti@alumni.unc.edujbarsanti@alumni.unc.edu
919.943.1915919.943.1915
Presentation available atPresentation available at
http://www.slideshare.net/JonBarsantiJrhttp://www.slideshare.net/JonBarsantiJr