Changes

== Desktop Analysis of Background Information ==

== Desktop Analysis of Background Information ==

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:

* Watershed studies  

* Watershed studies  

* Subwatershed studies

* Subwatershed studies

** Soil characterization

** Soil characterization

** Groundwater levels

** Groundwater levels

==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"

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|Typical Bylaws

Typical Bylaws

|General Provisions May Include:

 

|Impacts on LID Options:

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General Provisions May Include:

 

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Impacts on LID Options:

 

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*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

 

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Vegetated LID practices may be in violation of the relevant bylaw, e.g. landscape naturalization with prairie or ornamental grasses.  

 

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|Property standards  

Property standards  

 

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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.  

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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.  

 

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|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.

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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.

 

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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.

 

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|Standing water

Standing water

 

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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)

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Soakaways, subsurface storage facilities, bioretention and bioswales may be prohibited.

[[Infiltration trenches]] or [[Infiltration chambers|chambers]], [[bioretention]], or [[swales]] may be prohibited.

 

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|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

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Regulates the type of vegetation that can be planted within the boulevard area  

 

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Bio-swales or vegetated swales may be constrained by plant-type and plant-height restrictions along municipal boulevards

 

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|Roof leader policies (often part of property standards bylaws)

Roof leader policies (often part of property standards bylaws)

 

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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

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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.

 

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==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:

* Neighbourhood characteristics – general impressions

* Neighbourhood characteristics – general impressions

* General lot characteristics:

* General lot characteristics:

* Rooftop / drainage characteristics

* Rooftop / drainage characteristics

* Best management practices info

* 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.

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.