Agenda - Planning Commission - 12/01/2011 - Work Session

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Overall Framework - Stormwater Management Overview Water features and drainage systems are essential components of The COR Master Plan. The mix of ponds, streams, fountains and other water elements will provide focal amenities and year round activities within the framework of an environmentally responsible, visually pleasing strategy to manage stormwater. Because the Mississippi River is a restricted discharge water of the state, and because we are creating a new discharge from this development, each sub -district and each site has a responsibility to utilize 'best management practices' (BMP) to pretreat run-off, reduce erosion and encourage infiltration. Water elements are not intended to be separate stand-alone features, but instead should be integrated with the variety of parks, trails and public open space proposed for The COR. Water and landscape should be designed and utilized within multipurpose areas that accommodate both active and passive recreational use. Objectives Integration of water and landscape, design creativity, use of high quality materials and safety concerns are the critical objectives to be met — the following examples illustrate only a few of many possibilities: • Innovative new products, such as special soil systems (Netlon, structural soils), pervious pavements for parking areas, storm ceptors, underground storage and other creative techniques should be used to BMP standards • 'Green architecture', expressed through green roofs, gray water recycling and other techniques should be included to reduce the impact of new development on stormwater systems • Water feature design should include both formal elements (such as reflecting pools or fountains) and natural/informal forms (such as ponds, streams, waterfalls) and should explore creative ways to integrate wetland/rain garden landscapes with active, urban spaces. Trail or sidewalk Swales planted as a rain garden; plants and soil provide filtration Guideline Recommendations Park/Public Space framework not only defines the overall role and character of public space, but also encourages each development parcel to address the following: • Create signature water features (ponds, pools, fountains, waterfalls, etc.) as major visual amenities throughout The COR • Promote high quality, creative and appealing aesthetics for all system elements • Integrate stormwater management components (meeting both water quality and quantity requirements) A great deal of time and effort has gone into the calculation and design of a 'watershed -based' stormwater management plan to support COR development. While this overall strategy addresses the Design Framework — The COR Page 35