Difference between revisions of "Site assessment of residential"

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A comprehensive understanding of site conditions is critical for [[Screening LID Options]].
Understanding site conditions is critical when [[Screening LID Options]]. Gaining comprehensive knowledge of the proposed site requires a desktop review of relevant background information followed by field reconnaissance to verify the review and identify relevant site conditions not included in background information.  
== Desktop Analysis of Background Information ==
==Desktop analysis==
A thorough assessment of background information is critical to understanding site conditions for residential lots or neighborhoods. As you begin gathering and reviewing background information, determine any existing infrastructure gaps and planned upgrades, resident concerns, previous community greening efforts, past water usage and past problems with basement flooding. The following sources of information should be considered when conducting a desktop analysis:
As you begin gathering and reviewing background information, determine any existing infrastructure gaps and planned upgrades, resident concerns, previous community greening efforts, past water usage and past problems with basement flooding. The following sources of information should be considered when conducting a desktop analysis:
<div style="column-count:2;-moz-column-count:2;-webkit-column-count:2">
* Watershed studies  
* Watershed studies  
* Subwatershed studies
* Subwatershed studies
Line 19: Line 20:
** Soil characterization
** Soil characterization
** Groundwater levels
** Groundwater levels
</div>


==Local bylaws and regulations==
==Local bylaws and regulations==
Be sure to know the relevant local bylaws before developing recommendations. Some LID features may contravene local regulations. Below are some examples of typical bylaws and their potential impact on LID planning:
Be sure to know the relevant local bylaws before developing recommendations. Some LID features may contravene local regulations. Below are some examples of typical bylaws and their potential impact on LID planning:
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
|
!Typical Bylaws
Typical Bylaws
!General Provisions May Include:
 
!Impacts on LID Options:
|
General Provisions May Include:
 
|
Impacts on LID Options:
 
|-
|-
|Nuisance weeds and tall grass
|
|
Nuisance weeds and tall grass
*Designates tall grass and weeds as a public nuisance:
 
*Defines “tall grass” as grasses over a maximum height (typically 20 – 30 cm)
|
*Requires tall grass to be cut to a height not exceeding the maximum height
Designates tall grass and weeds as a public nuisance
*Requires all nuisance weeds and weed seeds to be removed from a property by the owner
 
*The municipality may carry out the work to bring properties into
* Defines “tall grass” as grasses over a maximum height (typically 20 – 30 cm)
*Compliance and recovery costs from the land owner
 
|Vegetated LID practices may be in violation of the relevant bylaw, e.g. landscape naturalization with prairie or ornamental grasses.  
* Requires tall grass to be cut to a height not exceeding the maximum height
* Requires all nuisance weeds and weed seeds to be removed from a property by the owner
* The municipality may carry out the work to bring properties into
* Compliance and recovery costs from the land owner
 
|
Vegetated LID practices may be in violation of the relevant bylaw, e.g. landscape naturalization with prairie or ornamental grasses.  
 
|-
|-
|
|Property standards  
Property standards  
 
|
|
Sets minimum requirements for privately owned properties
Sets minimum requirements for privately owned properties
* Restricts low-lying areas, including those that have been excavated and accumulate water, and requires that they be drained, filled and graded so that water drains to a storm sewer or ditch.
* Restricts low-lying areas, including those that have been excavated and accumulate water, and requires that they be drained, filled and graded so that water drains to a storm sewer or ditch.
* Requires that all landscaped areas be maintained in a reasonable condition relative to the neighboring environment
* Requires that all landscaped areas be maintained in a reasonable condition relative to the neighboring environment
 
|Can preclude the some LID practices, such as bioretention facilities designed be both low-lying and including ‘shallow’ surface ponding. Such bylaws can also prohibit other BMPs which rely on naturalizing landscapes.  
|
Can preclude the some LID practices, such as bioretention facilities designed be both low-lying and including ‘shallow’ surface ponding. Such bylaws can also prohibit other BMPs which rely on naturalizing landscapes.  
 
|-
|-
|
|Sewer use  
Sewer use  
|Although generally limited to sanitary sewers, many municipalities now include stormwater within this by-law. It generally requires all stormwater be discharged to an approved outlet and regulates the contents of the discharged water.
 
|May not permit direct discharge of roof water to the municipal storm sewer system. This can include overflow from rainwater harvesting tanks and similar devices.
|
Although generally limited to sanitary sewers, many municipalities now include storm water within this by-law. It generally requires all storm water be discharged to an approved outlet and regulates the contents of the discharged water.
 
|
May not permit direct discharge of roof water to the municipal storm sewer system. This can include overflow from rainwater harvesting tanks and similar devices.
 
|-
|-
|
|Standing water
Standing water
 
|
|
Prevents accumulation of water on an individual property within any depression
Prevents accumulation of water on an individual property within any depression
* Often in response to mosquito breeding and West Nile Virus concerns.
* Often in response to mosquito breeding and West Nile Virus concerns.
* Accumulation is typically defined by a determined period of time (e.g. 48 hours)
* Accumulation is typically defined by a determined period of time (e.g. 48 hours)
|
|
Soakaways, subsurface storage facilities, bioretention and bioswales may be prohibited.
[[Infiltration trenches]] or [[Infiltration chambers|chambers]], [[bioretention]], or [[swales]] may be prohibited.
 
|-
|-
|
|Boulevard planting
Boulevard planting
|Regulates the type of vegetation that can be planted within the boulevard area  
 
|[[Swales]] may be constrained by plant-type and plant-height restrictions along municipal boulevards
|
Regulates the type of vegetation that can be planted within the boulevard area  
 
|
Bio-swales or vegetated swales may be constrained by plant-type and plant-height restrictions along municipal boulevards
 
|-
|-
|
|Roof leader policies (often part of property standards bylaws)
Roof leader policies (often part of property standards bylaws)
 
|
|
Regulates the collection and allowable discharge location of roof drainage
Regulates the collection and allowable discharge location of roof drainage
* May specify outlet distance from building foundation and may prohibit discharge to storm sewers, impervious surfaces and property boundaries
* May specify outlet distance from building foundation and may prohibit discharge to storm sewers, impervious surfaces and property boundaries
|
|
Progressive roof leader policies can encourage the implementation of rain gardens, soakaways, rain barrels, and other LID practices.
Progressive roof leader policies can encourage the implementation of [[rain gardens]], [[rain barrels]] and other LID practices. <br>See [[Downspout disconnection]]
 
|}
|}


 
==Field reconnaissance==
==Field Reconnaissance==
 
After concluding a desktop analysis, visiting the neighbourhood in question for field reconnaissance is be ideal. Be sure to look for:
After concluding a desktop analysis, visiting the neighbourhood in question for field reconnaissance is be ideal. Be sure to look for:
<div style="column-count:2;-moz-column-count:2;-webkit-column-count:2">
* Neighbourhood characteristics – general impressions
* Neighbourhood characteristics – general impressions
* General lot characteristics
* General lot characteristics:
** % of property coverage by house
** Driveway sizes
** Driveway sizes
** Driveway types (% of asphalt, gravel, block pavers, etc.)
** Driveway types (% of asphalt, gravel, block pavers, etc.)
** % of property covered by turf
** Percentage of property covered by house
** % of property covered by alternative landscaping
** Percentage of property covered by turf
** % of property covered by trees
** Percentage of property covered by alternative landscaping
** Percentage of property covered by trees
** Percentage of property covered by curb
** Location and general condition of gardens
** Location and general condition of gardens
** Distribution and coverage of natural vegetation
** Distribution and coverage of natural vegetation
Line 129: Line 89:
** Prevalence of irrigation systems
** Prevalence of irrigation systems
** Roadside swales
** Roadside swales
** % curb
* Drainage characteristics
* Drainage characteristics
* Rooftop / drainage characteristics
* Rooftop / drainage characteristics
* Best management practices info
* Best management practices info
</div>
This list is not meant to be exhaustive - keep your eyes open for other relevant factors, and let us know if there's anything we should add.


Once the analysis is complete, proceed to developing a list of recommended actions.
Once the analysis is complete, proceed to developing a list of recommended BMPs for implementation.


[[Category: Planning]]
[[Category: Planning]]

Latest revision as of 14:38, 11 October 2018

Understanding site conditions is critical when Screening LID Options. Gaining comprehensive knowledge of the proposed site requires a desktop review of relevant background information followed by field reconnaissance to verify the review and identify relevant site conditions not included in background information.

Desktop analysis[edit]

As you begin gathering and reviewing background information, determine any existing infrastructure gaps and planned upgrades, resident concerns, previous community greening efforts, past water usage and past problems with basement flooding. The following sources of information should be considered when conducting a desktop analysis:

  • Watershed studies
  • Subwatershed studies
  • Stormwater master plans
  • Sewershed delineation
  • Areas with identified storm sewer capacity issues
  • Areas contributing to combined sewer overflows
  • Areas of degraded water quality
  • Areas prone to flooding (both urban and riverine)
  • Water quality targets
  • Flow targets
  • Infiltration targets
  • The impact of planned development on existing infrastructure and watershed health
  • Source water protection plans
  • Wellhead protection areas (quantity and quality)
  • Surficial Geology
    • Soil characterization
    • Groundwater levels

Local bylaws and regulations[edit]

Be sure to know the relevant local bylaws before developing recommendations. Some LID features may contravene local regulations. Below are some examples of typical bylaws and their potential impact on LID planning:

Typical Bylaws General Provisions May Include: Impacts on LID Options:
Nuisance weeds and tall grass
  • Designates tall grass and weeds as a public nuisance:
  • Defines “tall grass” as grasses over a maximum height (typically 20 – 30 cm)
  • Requires tall grass to be cut to a height not exceeding the maximum height
  • Requires all nuisance weeds and weed seeds to be removed from a property by the owner
  • The municipality may carry out the work to bring properties into
  • Compliance and recovery costs from the land owner
Vegetated LID practices may be in violation of the relevant bylaw, e.g. landscape naturalization with prairie or ornamental grasses.
Property standards

Sets minimum requirements for privately owned properties

  • Restricts low-lying areas, including those that have been excavated and accumulate water, and requires that they be drained, filled and graded so that water drains to a storm sewer or ditch.
  • Requires that all landscaped areas be maintained in a reasonable condition relative to the neighboring environment
Can preclude the some LID practices, such as bioretention facilities designed be both low-lying and including ‘shallow’ surface ponding. Such bylaws can also prohibit other BMPs which rely on naturalizing landscapes.
Sewer use Although generally limited to sanitary sewers, many municipalities now include stormwater within this by-law. It generally requires all stormwater be discharged to an approved outlet and regulates the contents of the discharged water. May not permit direct discharge of roof water to the municipal storm sewer system. This can include overflow from rainwater harvesting tanks and similar devices.
Standing water

Prevents accumulation of water on an individual property within any depression

  • Often in response to mosquito breeding and West Nile Virus concerns.
  • Accumulation is typically defined by a determined period of time (e.g. 48 hours)

Infiltration trenches or chambers, bioretention, or swales may be prohibited.

Boulevard planting Regulates the type of vegetation that can be planted within the boulevard area Swales may be constrained by plant-type and plant-height restrictions along municipal boulevards
Roof leader policies (often part of property standards bylaws)

Regulates the collection and allowable discharge location of roof drainage

  • May specify outlet distance from building foundation and may prohibit discharge to storm sewers, impervious surfaces and property boundaries

Progressive roof leader policies can encourage the implementation of rain gardens, rain barrels and other LID practices.
See Downspout disconnection

Field reconnaissance[edit]

After concluding a desktop analysis, visiting the neighbourhood in question for field reconnaissance is be ideal. Be sure to look for:

  • Neighbourhood characteristics – general impressions
  • General lot characteristics:
    • Driveway sizes
    • Driveway types (% of asphalt, gravel, block pavers, etc.)
    • Percentage of property covered by house
    • Percentage of property covered by turf
    • Percentage of property covered by alternative landscaping
    • Percentage of property covered by trees
    • Percentage of property covered by curb
    • Location and general condition of gardens
    • Distribution and coverage of natural vegetation
    • Location of septic systems
    • Fencing style and location
    • Prevalence of irrigation systems
    • Roadside swales
  • Drainage characteristics
  • Rooftop / drainage characteristics
  • Best management practices info

This list is not meant to be exhaustive - keep your eyes open for other relevant factors, and let us know if there's anything we should add.

Once the analysis is complete, proceed to developing a list of recommended BMPs for implementation.