Changes

===Parking lots===

===Parking lots===

Mid- and high-rise buildings have higher user occupancy densities than other sites and therefore require significant parking area. To conserve the site area, these parking areas are typically located underground. Mid- and high-rise buildings most commonly have flat roofs that drain internally to onsite storm sewer networks. These sites typically have common areas, but their size and function vary.

Mid- and high-rise buildings have higher user occupancy densities than other sites and require significant parking area. To conserve site area, these parking lots are typically located underground. Mid- and high-rise buildings usually have flat roofs that drain internally to onsite storm sewer networks. They typically have common areas, but their size and function vary.

===Common areas===

===Common areas===

Pedestrian and common areas are outdoor features found on most mid- and high-rise sites. They provide access and egress to buildings and allow pedestrian movement around the property. Most mid- and high-rise buildings will have common areas at their entrance that can include garden features, planters and benches. On residential sites, common areas may include parks or parkettes, playgrounds, sports facilities, sidewalks, and pathways.

Pedestrian and common areas are outdoor features found on most mid- and high-rise sites. They provide access and egress to buildings and allow pedestrian movement around the property. Most mid- and high-rise buildings will have common areas at their entrance and can include garden features, planters and benches. On residential sites, common areas may include parks or parkettes, playgrounds, sports facilities, sidewalks and pathways.

===Landscaped areas===

===Landscaped areas===

Landscaped areas commonly surround mid- and high-rise buildings They can also be found adjacent to parking lots and internal roads. These areas are often grassed and may include plantings. Landscaped areas are ideal for establishing bioretention areas, soakaways, or bioswales where conveyance is preferred. If grading allows, landscaped areas adjacent to the parking lot can easily be retrofitted to provide quality control and water balance benefits. Landscaped areas may also be located within the pedestrian areas adjacent to a building. These areas can be targeted to accept and infiltrate

Landscaped areas commonly surround mid- and high-rise buildings They can also be found adjacent to parking lots and internal roads. These areas are often grassed and may include plantings. These areas are ideal for establishing bioretention areas, soakaways or bioswales if conveyance is preferred. If grading allows, landscaped areas adjacent to the parking lot can easily be retrofitted to provide quality control and water balance benefits. Often located within the pedestrian areas adjacent to a building, target these areas can for accepting and infiltrating clean roof drainage. Cisterns for rainwater harvesting can also be located in landscapted areas, either buried or above ground. Utilities may be buried within landscaped areas on your site - not always just adjacent to the building) - so get your locates before digging.

clean roof drainage. Cisterns for rainwater harvesting can also be located in these areas, either buried or above ground. Utilities may be buried within landscaped areas on your site (not just adjacent to the building). Locates are required before digging occurs.

===Roof areas===

===Roof areas===

===Landscaped areas===

===Landscaped areas===

Low-rise residential sites typically have significant landscaped areas. On townhouse sites landscaped areas tend to be spread across the complex as gardens, parking islands, and strips of lawn. Park or community green spaces areas may also be present on these sites. Due to lot grading, it may not be practical to convey road and parking lot runoff to landscaped areas to the building’s perimeter. These areas can, however, be retrofitted to provide water balance benefits by infiltrating roof runoff via bioretention, soakaways, or bioswales.

Low-rise residential sites typically have significant landscaped areas. On townhouse sites, landscaped areas tend to be spread across the complex as gardens, parking islands, and strips of lawn. Park or community green spaces areas may also be present. Due to lot grading, it may not be practical to convey road and parking lot runoff to landscaped areas around the building’s perimeter. These areas can, however, be retrofitted to provide water balance benefits by infiltrating roof runoff via bioretention, soakaways or bioswales.

On sites with larger green spaces, LID practices for accepting runoff from more substantial catchment areas will likely be feasible. Parks can also be retrofitted with most LID options. Using subsurface LID options, like [[infiltration chambers]], won't sacrifice park function, while highly visible practices like bioswales or bioretention enhance their aesthetic value.

On sites with larger green spaces, LID practices for accepting runoff from more substantial catchment areas will likely be feasible. Parks can also be retrofitted with most LID options. LID options such as [[infiltration chambers]] won't sacrifice park function, while highly visible practices like bioswales or bioretention enhance their aesthetic value.

===Parking areas===

===Parking areas===

Parking areas on low-rise residential properties are often small and well used by residents. Low-rise apartment sites often have parking lots that are graded to catch basins which connect to onsite storm sewers. Due to their smaller, decentralized design, parking areas for townhouse developments typically convey runoff overland to internal roadways equipped with storm sewers.

Parking areas on low-rise residential properties are often small and well-used by residents. These parking lots are graded to catch basins which connect to onsite storm sewers. Due to their smaller, decentralized design, parking areas for townhouse developments typically convey runoff overland to internal roadways equipped with storm sewers. Permeable pavement is a retrofit option for both types of parking facilities and for internal roads.  

 

Permeable pavement is a retrofit option for both types of parking facilities. Internal roadways can also be retrofitted with permeable pavement.

==Large commercial sites==

==Large commercial sites==

[[File:Large_Commercial_Options.png|thumb|LID options for large commercial sites]]

[[File:Large_Commercial_Options.png|thumb|LID options for large commercial sites]]

Large commercial sites include big box stores, warehouses, and shopping malls. These sites are often located in highly urbanized commercial centres. They are commonly owned and operated by land management companies.  

Large commercial sites include big-box stores, warehouses, and shopping malls. Often located in highly urbanized commercial centres, they are usually owned and operated by land management companies.

Large commercial sites are rarely more than two storeys in height. These sites typically have large parking lots that may be underused. Roof areas are often flat and drain internally through the building to onsite storm sewers. Though these sites are expansive, they rarely have complex networks of pedestrian walkways and often rely on vehicular traffic to get site users onsite.

Large commercial sites are rarely more than two stories in height. Typically they have large and often underused parking lots and flat roofs that drain internally through the building to onsite storm sewers. Though these sites are expansive, they rarely have complex networks of pedestrian walkways and often rely on vehicular traffic to get site users onsite.

===Parking areas===

===Parking areas===

Not all parking areas are used equally. At large commercial sites parking spots may be reserved for people with disabilities, visitors to the site, expectant mothers, families with young children, specific employees, deliveries, motorcycles, electric cars, taxis and/or public transportation. When considering parking areas for LID retrofit locations, identify and respect these special areas during the design process. The retrofit team should also be aware of how site parking is used throughout the week.

Not all parking areas are used equally. At large commercial sites parking spots may be reserved for people with disabilities, visitors to the site, expectant mothers, families with young children, specific employees, deliveries, motorcycles, electric cars, taxis and public transportation. When considering parking areas for LID retrofit locations, identify and respect these special areas during the design process. Be sure to understand how site parking is used throughout the week.

Parking spaces close to building entrances are used more frequently than those in moderate and peak demand areas. If grading and other site-specific factors allow it, the designer may choose to install permeable pavement in the infrequently used areas to extend the life of the system. Conversely, the social benefits of green features may be underappreciated in areas that are not frequented by site users. Developing practices like bioswales or bioretention areas closer to the

Parking spaces close to building entrances are used more frequently than those in moderate and peak demand areas. If grading and other site-specific factors allow it, investigate installing permeable pavement in infrequently used areas to extend the system's lifespan. The social benefits of green features may be underappreciated in areas that are not frequented by site users, so aim to implement practices like bioswales or bioretention areas closer to the entrance of the building to maximize biophillic benefits. On many sites existing drainage patterns dictate where parking lot source controls can be located.

entrance of the building may be more practical. On many sites existing drainage patterns will dictate where parking lot source controls can be located.

===Roof areas===

===Roof areas===

The roof areas of large commercial buildings account for large impervious surfaces. Controlled roof drains have become a widely utilized tool for stormwater management with the commercial development industry. While these devices do attenuate flows, they do not significantly reduce runoff volumes. By simply directing roof runoff to a soakaway pit, you can provide a great amount of volumetric stormwater control. Consider going one step further and storing this water in a cistern for future use. Commercial rooftops are relatively clean and complex filtration is not required prior to most

The roof areas of large commercial buildings are large impervious surfaces. Controlled roof drains have become a widely utilized tool for stormwater management with the commercial development industry. While these devices do attenuate flows, they do not significantly reduce runoff volumes. By simply directing roof runoff to a soakaway pit, you can provide a great amount of volumetric stormwater control. Consider going one step further and storing this water in a cistern for future use. Commercial rooftops are relatively clean, and complex filtration is not required for most non-potable uses.

non-potable uses.

==Small commercial sites==

==Small commercial sites==

[[File:Small_Commercial_Sites_Options.png|thumb|LID options for small commercial sites]]

[[File:Small_Commercial_Sites_Options.png|thumb|LID options for small commercial sites]]

Small commercial sites include strip malls, small private enterprises, car dealerships, and residential sites converted to commercial facilities. While site features can vary significantly

Small commercial sites include strip malls, small private enterprises, car dealerships and residential sites converted to commercial facilities. While site features vary significantly with these small sites, typical features include small parking areas and limited pedestrian and common areas. On these sites roof areas can be flat with internal drainage or peaked with external drainage.

with these small sites, typical features include small parking areas and limited pedestrian and common areas. On these sites roof areas can be fl at with internal drainage or peaked with external drainage.

These sites can be owned and operated by the site user, though land management companies also own and operate a significant portfolio of small commercial sites in Ontario.

While often owned and operated by the site user, land management companies also own and operate a significant portfolio of small commercial sites in Ontario.

===Landscaped areas===

===Landscaped areas===