Planning Commission Packet 4.24.2013

TOWN OF NEDERLAND PLANNING COMMISSION REGULAR BUSINESS MEETING

NEDERLAND COMMUNITY CENTER 750 Hwy 72 Nederland, CO 80466

April 24, 2013, 7:00 P.M.

AGENDA ______

A. CALL TO ORDER

B. ROLL CALL

C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM JANUARY 23, 2013

D. PUBLIC COMMENT

E. INFORMATION ITEMS 1. Update on the Comprehensive Master Plan

F. ACTION ITEMS

G. DISCUSSION ITEMS 1. Review of 60% drawings for NedPeds Project.

2. OTHER BUSINESS

3. ADJOURNMENT

Town of Nederland

***DRAFT – Not yet approved by Planning Commission***

Nederland Planning Commission

MINUTES

Wednesday, January 23, 2013 ~ 7:00 pm Nederland Community Center 750 Highway 72 North ______

1) Call to Order Chairman Larsen called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

2) Roll Call Present: Chairman Kris Larsen and Commissioners Steve Williams, Bill Martin, Roger Cornell, Mikki Osterloo, and Mayor Pro Tem Kevin Mueller.

Also present: Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee members Paul Turnburke and Lisa Mayhew, Town Administrator Alisha Reis, and Deputy Town Clerk Michele Martin.

3) Approval of minutes from January 3, 2013 A motion to approve the minutes was made by Commissioner Cornell, seconded by Commissioner Osterloo, and passed with Mayor Pro Tem Kevin Mueller abstaining.

4) Public Comment There was no public comment.

5) Information Items a. Update on the Comprehensive Master Plan

Town Administrator Reis has provided the first draft of the Comprehensive Plan update based upon all the information received thus far from the Plan Ambassador and public outreach meetings. The Commission is to begin review of this draft in order to start editing. The Plan Ambassadors are specifically asked to pay particular attention to their respective elements of the plan for accuracy.

Reis also has a policy comparison for each element that she will send out tomorrow to everyone. This document compares policies from the 2003 plan and then the proposed 2012 updates. - 1 -

***DRAFT – Not yet approved by Planning Commission***

It was decided that everyone would edit the draft in a Word document, either written or electronically, send all edits to Reis by February 6, and Reis will coordinate it all by creating a summary document for everyone to consider.

Commissioner Cornell recommended a work session for further review instead of putting it back on the regular agenda. It was agreed to hold a work session on Wednesday, February 20 at the Community Center’s downstairs conference room.

The next step is to get the draft into a public reviewable format, and then it can be put out for a public comment period, which will probably be early March. It would be a good idea to reach back out to the Plan Ambassador groups at that time. Once the public has reviewed to ensure accuracy from their perspective, then it will go through the Nederland Planning Process, which goes through all the advisory boards, then back to the Commission for final edits and approval. The Board of Trustees would then be given the opportunity to affirm the plan, though it is understood under Colorado law that the Planning Commission is the approval body for comprehensive plans.

Commissioner Martin joined the meeting.

6) Action Items a. Consideration of appointment to the Planning Commission

Staff has received three applications to fill the vacancy caused by Denise Jackson’s resignation in December. The applicants are: Lisa Mayhew, current Comprehensive Plan Update Steering Committee member; Mark Stringfellow, current Chairman of the Board of Zoning Adjustment; and Charles Wood, new resident to Town with a planning background.

Commissioner Cornell moved to recommend Lisa Mayhew to fill the vacancy, seconded by Commissioner Martin. All were in favor.

The Board of Trustees will consider all three candidates, along with the Commissioners’ recommendation, at their February 5 meeting.

b. Consideration of a Rezoning application for newly annexed Town-owned property at 288 and 294 Ridge Road

Town Administrator Reis introduced the item. This annexation process started in 2009, with one step left; it was completed in 2012. It was annexed by Ordinance #713 on November 13, 2012, by an affirmative vote of the Board of Trustees. State statute requires - 2 -

***DRAFT – Not yet approved by Planning Commission***

designating a zoning district to newly annexed land within 90 days of annexation. As County property the parcels were zoned Forestry (F). Ordinarily, they should be zoned Public (P), but the Town does not have strong regulations in place for that zone yet, Reis said. Reis said once the Comprehensive Plan is updated, a better understanding of Public zone requirements will be determined. The current surrounding zone of the parcels is Mountain Residential (MR). Reis suggested that instead of designating them Public right now, which could present various issues over the next year, she recommended to designate them Mountain Residential, to be consistent with the surrounding neighborhood. They can then be rezoned again once the Public zone is in place, which is estimated to be over the next 18 months. The parcels currently comply with Mountain Residential requirements, so no changes are needed, and Mountain Residential provides more flexibility. If the Commission chose Forestry, the lots would have to be combined due to minimum acreage required, and staff does not feel combining the lots are in the Town’s best interest at this time.

Commissioner Cornell wondered if the Town would ever dissolve the lot lines to make one lot. Reis responded they could. There was concern that perhaps under a different administration or Board that the lots could be sold to a developer. There was also discussion on the established conservation easement and if that could be sold. Reis assured the Commission that the property is protected. It was annexed under a specific portion of the law that allowed it not to go to a public vote, because it was to be used for a public purpose. It was recorded as a public annexation. Also, Reis went on to say that under State statute new residential developments have to be adjacent to a public roadway, and the access easement would not be considered a public roadway at this time. Also, the conservation easement protects the land from development.

Commissioner Cornell made a motion to recommend to the Board of Trustees approval to designate the property annexed to the Town known as 288 and 294 Ridge Road as Mountain Residential and to recommend approval of the draft ordinance establishing the zoning and amending the official zoning map of the Town to reflect such action, seconded by Commissioner Williams, and unanimously passed, noting Mayor Pro Tem Mueller abstaining.

7) Discussion Items a. Consideration of a Conceptual PUD Review Application for Tom and Sally Grahn at 180 East Third Street, 181 and 187 East Second Street, and 260 East Street (Block 2, Lots 16-28 and Lots 15 and 29 less the west 10’ of said lots, plus vacated alley). - 3 -

***DRAFT – Not yet approved by Planning Commission***

Town Administrator Reis introduced the concept application. The applicant has submitted a concept plan in order to receive feedback from the Commission. The next step in the process would be to submit a preliminary Planned Unit Development (PUD) plan. The applicants Tom and Sally Grahn were present to explain their vision. Reis had recommended to the Grahns a PUD vs. a regular subdivision replat for a number of reasons, most specifically for proposed setback changes and the ability to create a Development Agreement to phase in any property changes and to delineate a common vision for the property as a whole. Under a PUD, the yard and bulk requirements in Chapter 16 Zoning do not necessarily apply. The Grahns would like to change lot lines for conformance and clean up an encroachment by the existing apartment lodge, create easements, and to make the lots appealing and ready for sale. The Commission is to review this concept to see if the proposal meets the Comprehensive Plan objectives and is compatible with surrounding land uses. The Grahns are not proposing to be the developers of the lots; they would sell the lots individually for someone else to build upon. The PUD would provide a Development Agreement, which would ensure development rights based on requirements agreed to with the Town, so that the Grahns and the Town can have some assurances of their respective visions for this area. The proposed PUD would maintain the base zoning of the land, Neighborhood Commercial, but Reis pointed out that a Development Agreement ultimately governs the land in question.

Sally Grahn, 260 East Street, Apt. 0, provided some background on their proposal. The properties currently consist of 10 apartments, 12 trailers, and two homes on 15 lots. The Grahns are in their 70s and they would like to clean up the lots for the Town and eventually their son, if anything were to happen to them, she said. Grahn emphasized that they do not want to be the developers of any of these lots. Grahn said they looked at many different options for the lots, and ultimately came up with the concept to dissolve lot lines to create nine conforming lots of 4,500 square feet, except for lot 9 which would be a bit smaller. Adjusting the lot lines will clean up the apartments, which currently encroach on two lots, and would enable the apartments to be on one large parcel. The Grahns would like to reserve the right to replat that large parcel at a future time.

Grahn said that reducing the setbacks was important to them as seniors living in town. Grahn has spoken to many seniors and said they all agreed that it is too hard living on acreage anymore, and folks want to live in town to be closer to everything and be able to walk to amenities. Grahn explained that shorter setbacks would provide less

- 4 -

***DRAFT – Not yet approved by Planning Commission***

snow plowing, shoveling, maintenance, and would provide a larger backyard to provide a retreat from the noise level at the street. Grahn stated that the development timeline would depend on the market. The Grahns plan for a phased timeline of approximately 10 years.

Staff had sent the concept application to Town departments and utilities for their review and feedback. Grahn said they have addressed two of the comments from the Staff Review Memo, dated January 7, 2013. The lack of floodplain markings on the site plan will be added by Lee Stadele, project surveyor. The other comment from Mark Weritz, Town geotechnical engineer, was in regards to a grading/drainage plan, and Grahn said they are scheduled to meet with a civil engineer next week to discuss this. Reis commented that the NEDPEDS/Second Street project folks are aware of this proposal and they are all working together to improve drainage in this area, as well as all of Second Street.

There was some confusion on the proposed lot line adjustments leaving behind nonconforming structures, because some structures would still straddle lot lines. Reis explained that a PUD Development Agreement can create conforming lots, yet could suspend conformance as long as a timeline for conformance is established in the Agreement.

Commissioners’ recommendations: 1. Have some sort of check-in time frame in the Development Agreement, maybe every two years, to see where the Grahns are in the lot selling/PUD process. 2. The last paragraph of the Specific of Project page was a little contradictory. The right to continue all current uses, including the trailer park, apartment building, and residential homes, shall remain in place and such rights shall run with the land to any subsequent purchaser seemed too open-ended. The concept is ultimately for redevelopment of these lots, this last sentence seems to imply an existing use could stay indefinitely. There is a need to be clear in the Development Agreement. It was felt by the Commission that if a lot was sold, then the structure would have to be removed in a timely manner. 3. Mixed-density housing, so as to include more affordable housing. 4. East-west orientation of the lots to take advantage of the solar gain. 5. Consult with a hydrologist instead of a civil engineer in regards to drainage and consider an overall plan for drainage, as opposed to leaving it up to individual purchasers of each lot. - 5 -

***DRAFT – Not yet approved by Planning Commission***

6. Look at pedestrian opportunities to stay in-line with the NEDPEDS/Second Street project. Maybe link Third Street to Second Street by a pedestrian easement. Perhaps talk to adjacent owners for a possible easement through Lots 14 and 30. 7. Consult with a Sustainability Neighborhood Development expert on a neighborhood plan layout. 8. Show parking plan when submitting the preliminary plans. 9. Lot 9 appeared to be too narrow, maybe push it back 5’ to make it 50 ft. 10. Write the Agreement up so that it would pertain to an individual buyer, as well as an overall developer if the lots were to sell as a whole package.

Reis reiterated that a PUD has much flexibility, and any legitimate requirement can be written into a Development Agreement. The Commission wanted to emphasis that this was a great planning opportunity, and they appreciated the Grahns coming in with their vision.

Staff will work with the applicants on the next step.

8) Other Business Commissioner Cornell noted that Paul Turnburke has stepped down as executive director from the Nederland Downtown Development Authority (NDDA) and wondered if he would still stay on as a Steering Committee member for the Comprehensive Plan update project. Commissioner Williams asked if the NDDA needs to be represented. Town Administrator Reis said she would not recommend bringing in someone new at this stage of the project, and the draft plan will be part of the Nederland Planning Process and will be reviewed by all the advisory boards, which includes the NDDA.

Commissioner Martin asked about the Town shop on W. 5th Street and what will happen to that area once the shop migrates over to the Wastewater Treatment Plant. Reis began by stating she has engaged engineers each year to evaluate the current building for safety. This year, the structural engineer said the building may not be able to handle any significant snow load on the roof, information Reis passed on to the Public Works Department. The shop is planned to move to the Wastewater Treatment Plant for some vehicles and staff, and then the salt material will be moved to the new yard on Ridge Road. Public Works will start crating up, cleaning, and migrating over to the new plant when it opens. The current building will then be deconstructed, not demolished. They will work with Resource in Boulder to - 6 -

***DRAFT – Not yet approved by Planning Commission***

deconstruct it and waste as little as possible by recycling and scrapping metal. The next step after deconstruction is a voluntary cleanup as part of the Brownfields program to get it into a developable site. The Board continues to support affordable housing in the area. Reis said the move and deconstruction project will take approximately two-three years. The compost site will eventually need to move, and they are aware of the plan.

Tours of the Wastewater Treatment Plant should be able to begin next month or so.

The next meeting is scheduled for February 27, 2013.

9) Adjournment A motion to adjourn was made by Commissioner Cornell, seconded by Commissioner Williams, and unanimously approved at 9:25 p.m.

Approved by the Planning Commission,

______Kris Larsen, Chairman, Planning Commission

ATTEST: ______Michele Martin, Deputy Town Clerk

- 7 -

AGE N D A I N F OR M AT I ON M E M OR AN D U M T OWN OF N E D E R L AN D PLANNING COMMISSION

M eet i n g D at e: Apr i l 24, 2013

I n i t i at ed By: N eder l an d D ow n t ow n D evel opm en t Aut h or i t y D ept : Act i on D i scu ssi on X

AGE N D A I T E M : Revi ew of 60% desi gn of N edPeds pr ocess as par t of t he N PP pr ocess.

SU M MAR Y: Conor M er r i gan of C2 Sust ai nabi l i t y and Br i an M cCl ar en of H ui t t -Zoll ar s wi l l be pr esent i ng t he cur r ent (60%) desi gn and st at us of t he N edPeds pr oj ect . The next t i me t he boar d sees t he pl ans t hey wi l l be r eady t o go t o bi d and t he N DDA wi l l be seek i ng t o get a fi nal vot e t o move for war d. Though not i ncl uded i n t he pack et , t he l i fe-cycl e cost s and addit i onal document at i on wil l be pr ovi ded and pr esent ed at t he Boar d meet i ng.

R E C OM M E NDAT I ONS: The N DDA i s r equest i ng t hat t he Planning Commission r evi ew t he desi gn opt i ons and pr ovi de feedback on any desi r ed changes or addi t i ons for t he fi nal set of desi gn.

ATTAC H M E N TS: Recommended Options Memo: Basis for 60% completion, *main item to be discussed* Calming pictures: pictures of meanders in roadways in practice E 2nd Sketch: Drainage concept sketch Exposed Aggregate: Some idea of what exposed aggregate concrete could look like Hydrascape: Local example of saw cut methods for sidewalk infiltration Accelerated Schedule: Current schedule Biomimicry: Final report from EPA PaveDrain: One potential solution for centerline drainage Permeable Paving Calgary Pervious Centerline

F I NANCI AL C O NSI DER AT I ONS: L i fe-cycle cost analysi s wil l be pr ovi ded by H uit t -Zol l ar s and pr esent ed at t he meet i ng. Some cost fact or s wi l l st i l l be out st andi ng, pr i mar i l y t he dr ai nage syst em cost s whi ch will be dependent on t he soil infilt r at i on t est s whi ch wi ll be conduct ed once t he gr ound t haws. Design Update Memo 4/4/2013

NedPeds Major Design Options and Recommendations

The following are the recommended outstanding design options that have been approved by the DDA for consideration by the various town boards through the NPP process. These options bring the status of the design to 60% complete and will be the last significant opportunity to incorporate comments. They are the result of in depth analysis and research by the sustainability consultant and the design team and represent what is felt to be the most sustainable options for the project. Due to their complexity and/or unique design, and the fact that the cost analysis is ongoing, there is the possibility that some aspect of the design may not make it into the final project. An eye has been kept towards most cost-effective improvements, but there is no guarantee that the final project will be able to incorporate all of the below design strategies.

There are two additional major remaining schedule/design hurdles that are being addressed concurrently. The first is the matter of historical clearance for the project which ultimately depends on CDOT and the State Historical Preservation Office; if the project receives a go-ahead it will proceed as scheduled, if not the delay would likely send the project into construction next year. The team does expect to get the clearances. The second item is the results of the infiltration test, which must be conducted once the ground thaws. If there is minimal natural soil infiltration, then more conventional options must be looked at for drainage.

All of the options below are presented with the recommended options and potential alternates (where appropriate). There is also a sustainability summary beneath each that details the case for their individual sustainability.

● Surface Materials: Pathway

Discussion: The highest prioritized option is a concrete pathway. While concrete is a material that contains a high amount of embodied energy and typically may seem out of place in parts of Nederland, the benefits it offers are substantial and the options below can address both of these issues to some extent. Alternatives such as crusher fines, cobblestones, hempcrete, pervious concrete, and stone (and otherwise) pavers have been investigated, but don’t work as well as concrete for a number of reasons. These range from high cost (pavers, cobblestones), Design Update Memo 4/4/2013 maintenance concerns (all to various degrees, but especially crusher fines per the path by the fire station), and ADA issues (most of them, which is a requirement for the grant). The pervious concrete is a possibility, but the jury is still very much out on its durability, and the degree of technical rigor it takes to do it right seems overly ambitious for this project. Other alternatives suggested that are still under consideration are some sort of rubberized walkway, compacted dirt, and wooden boardwalks, but based on initial research none of these are expected to compete with concrete.

Depending on cost and prioritizations, the following strategies should be applied to the concrete: Exposed aggregate: This will make the concrete have more grip, look a bit more “rural”, and as long as it’s not overdone, still be ADA compliant. Coloration: Pigment can be added to the concrete mix that will serve a dual purpose, snow melt and distinctive character. Research is ongoing, but there may be an opportunity for a local firm to supply the pigment or a natural material to be used. Recycled content: Use to extent possible, at least 25% fly ash for the portland cement, 100% recycled aggregate, recycled sub-base, and wherever else possible. Stamping: a low cost option to put in a distinctive pattern, this could be animal tracks, a boardwalk pattern, or some creative variation contracted out locally or as part of the total bid.

Recommended Option: A concrete walkway with through cuts at the typical cut lines. This method, termed hydracrete by one supplier, allows for infiltration at the joints. This has the advantage of being fairly cheap, effective, and easy to do from a constructability standpoint. While the joints may have to be slightly wider than typical, this method will allow for the infiltration, safety, and ease of maintenance requested along with being relatively resilient in the future. This method has been applied in Lakewood and appears to be resistant to freeze/thaw.

Alternate Option: Using a higher strength concrete mix would allow the concrete sections to be removed with a forklift and replaced for future maintenance needs of piping etc. that runs underneath. While more expensive in the initial costs, it would save the town from the other option of having the sections likely break and then have to be re-poured with virgin materials.

Sustainability Summary: The best way to reduce the energy content of concrete is to reduce the amount of virgin materials used, particularly portland cement. Design Update Memo 4/4/2013

Substituting fly ash, an industrial by-product of coal plants, is a beneficial practice that CDOT has approved for up to 25% of the cement. The aggregate for the project is inherently low-energy as it typically has to be extracted, crushed, sorted, and transported, but not created at high temperature like cement. If we can find a local source or rock that was previously used for some other purpose, we can further reduce the embodied energy. To meet the goal of a 50% energy reduction from phase 1, we will have to include all of these options. Concrete is a durable, low maintenance, resilient, and low life cycle cost material. While not the greenest option in terms of environmental footprint, this concrete will be as green as possible and hopefully functional and beautiful as well.

● Surface Materials: Roadway from Snyder to East

Discussion: The rest of second street has existing asphalt that it doesn’t make sense to tear up at this time; a deep sustainability retrofit could include a centerline infiltration strip being cut in, but we would recommend seeing how well the first functions (assuming that option) first. The highest prioritized option is a hybrid roadway, with a primary surface material of either asphalt or concrete. A concrete hybrid is not included at this time due to the cost and road maintenance issues (not as easy to patch, otherwise very durable). Due to the steepness of the road and the desire for stormwater mitigation, a hybrid design should utilize a centerline longitudinal infiltration strip and a reverse crown on the roadway. There are other options presented below that may also be viable, and final design will need to account for the right balance of management and practicality in terms of stormwater and constructability.

Explore the use of recycled asphalt shingles for the asphalt content. There is a program out of Boulder that connects roofers with batch plants to create new asphalt paving out of used shingles. Pricing and approval may be issues(CDOT currently allows only 5% shingle use), but if they can be resolved it would be a good statement to make and much less embodied energy.

Recommended Option: Asphalt with a longitudinal centerline infiltration strip. This may be difficult from a constructability standpoint, but would give a distinctive look, provide a good amount of infiltration, and possibly allow for a one-pipe (or no-pipe) system as opposed to two-pipes, creating system benefits from a life-cycle cost standpoint. The strips would still need to be plowable, but the centerline Design Update Memo 4/4/2013

design is more forgiving than lateral stripes and since it will be in a natural low point (reverse crown) it will be even more so.

Alternate Option #1: Porous Asphalt. This could be a good option since the design has been shown to work and there are local contractors with experience. That being said, most of the applications have been on flat areas such as parking lots and not graded roadways. If it competes economically, it will look typical to an asphalt roadway and serve the basic functions of dust (and sedimentation) control, consistent roadway (no more changes in depth), and traffic conveyance with the added benefit of infiltrating water.

Alternate Option #2: Asphalt. While not an ideal material, asphalt is easy to maintain, durable, and the hard surface would mitigate the erosion and dust issues. The surface water would still need to be managed, but if cost becomes a driving factor this option may have to be explored.

Sustainability Summary: While many options were vetted, and a cobblestone road or something similar would be more fitting with the town as well as less energy intensive, the cost is prohibitive. If the town and DDA really wants to focus on this aspect of the project, it would be possible to keep it out of the project scope and address later or find the funds and do something different now. The trick is making sure that the drainage system is protected and designed to function with the roadway surface in the meantime. Asphalt gets applied across the country with regularity because it is the most effective material to make roads from. Once applied it is relatively non-toxic, easy to repair, and can take a pounding. It is petro-chemical based and can be a high energy material, using the recycled shingles would mitigate that to a certain extent.

● Surface Materials: Infiltration Strip for the Roadway

Discussion: Having strips of a material that allows for infiltration on the surface serves multiple purposes. In addition to infiltration, the strips would provide a distinctive look, and help define the roadway. Strips should be at or just below grade and consist of a highly permeable, regulation load bearing material such as pavers. The recommendation here ultimately is that the design team find the most cost effective solution that fits the bill, but a couple of options are described below. Design Update Memo 4/4/2013

Option #1(Recommended if cost effective): Closed concrete pavers. While these are less open (no plantings) and appear more like typical plaza pavers from above, they are stable, perform well in cold climates, bear a load well, are easy to maintain, and are typically ADA compliant. These would work in the roadway and the team is currently looking at a system like the PaveDrain system(see attachments).

Alternate Option #1: Crushed gravel. Crushed gravel down the centerline would be more cost effective, but would also present some technical challenges and maintenance issues.

Sustainability Summary: The incorporation of some type of porous paving materials would give the project a distinctive look and provide drainage opportunities that it might not have otherwise. It would allow for impervious surfaces and could even potentially be installed by a local contractor. The choice of materials is dependent on a number of factors, but the energy to make them and maintain them along with their look and infiltration characteristics will be some of the key ones in making a final decision, along with cost.

● Drainage System

Discussion: The drainage system should include as many water quality features as possible , be as “natural” as possible, and encourage infiltration whenever possible. As opposed to a typical drainage system with pipes leading directly to the river, this type of drainage system should allow for intermediate filtration by gravel and if at all possible continue to allow for infiltration into the ground. The worries are that ponding and freezing could happen, so the conditions must be thoroughly evaluated before proceeding in that direction. The design team has geotechnical engineers doing test along the roadway to see what may be possible; more will be known as that is completed. It is important to note that the roadway will still be the major channel for conveyance of large storms; while much of the water will infiltrate, there will be enough volume that there will still be flooding (albeit significantly reduced) on the main road.

Recommended Option: A “pipeless” system with a channel filled with large pore gravel/rock and some sort of liner on the sides, preferably permeable (i.e. rip-wrap) This will allow for the best water treatment and infiltration and could be cost-effective as well. Design Update Memo 4/4/2013

Alternate Option #1: A single main pipe with a perforated bottom spread out infiltration and gravel layers surrounding it. If designed and installed properly, this will allow some overflow water from larger storms to get put in the pipe and conveyed while water from smaller events will mostly percolate into the ground.

Alternate Option #2: Two pipe system with BMPs for water quality. If a two-pipe system is deemed more cost-effective, then focusing on ways to slow the water down and filter it as much as possible would allow for better water quality and more infiltration.

Sustainability Summary: Finding precedents for non-piped and alternatively piped systems in the US, and on sloped mountain town roads especially, is no easy task. While infiltration is the goal, if the soil is impervious, there may be no point in trying to force it as it will just pond and cause issues. At a minimum, some type of rocks and gravel as a pre-treatment may be able to slow the water and catch some of the pollutants/silt, and the incorporation of additional Best Management Practices (BMPs) such as baffle boxes, bioswales, and small ponds might be necessary. It is important to remember however, that this project is part of a system, and that if the water does ultimately flow at a greater velocity to the stream, the real opportunity to treat this water from a water quality perspective is at the new Gateway Park. The proposed wetlands there will be enough to handle much more water than comes down and will be big enough to both treat the pollutants and provide natural habitat for native species. If this project needs to save money with a less expensive system, it is ultimately still a call for better overall watershed management. Upstream and downstream improvements are what is really needed overall, if this project can even move the flooding of small storms off the street it will be baseline successful.

● Pervious landscaped areas

Discussion: These areas that are currently shown as unprogrammed and parking will allow for such uses as parking, snow storage, habitat, infiltration, and public art. With a meandering road design, these areas will also need to be carefully designed so as to minimize traffic impacts. Putting some sort of higher profile feature such as artifacts from the mining museum at key junctures will help guide traffic (and snow plows) when there’s snow on the ground. The areas that are too Design Update Memo 4/4/2013 small for parking or for bioswales will need to be designed to be low maintenance and durable.

Recommended Option: 3/4” crushed gravel for parking areas and resilient natives for smaller areas, with plans to include durable art at strategic points. The gravel, while not beautiful, is in keeping with town character, low energy, affordable, and allows for infiltration. Resilient natives would require some attention from the city/adjacent residents, but ideally would only require water for establishment and provide a good opportunity to be a steward. The art spaces would serve a purpose, be in keeping with town character, and provide a distinctive element to the project.

Alternate Option #1: Pavers for parking(or parking on particular parts of the project), all other the same. A more expensive but possibly more durable and attractive option. Certainly more expensive, but if the desire is a more walkable urban feel it could be an option. Also, this could be included if there is money available for just a portion of the project such as the Central Business District (CBD).

Sustainability Summary: Incorporating native species in the areas too small for parking will serve to create habitat, enliven the street, provide a reason for residents and businesses to maintain the project, and infiltrate more water. While these plantings would not necessarily be as “beautiful” as flower displays since they would need to be resilient to being alongside a road, there would be room to experiment within the right of way. Since the Right of Way will be public forever, maintenance of the plantings would in no way infer ownership, but in practical terms, resident and business owner support may be necessary to maintain the plantings once the town installs them.

The gravel for parking would be of a type that would not rut or spread easily, and would be in keeping with the town’s character while allowing infiltration. It could be from recycled rocks, possibly even some of the rocks from the wastewater treatment plan effort, and would be effective for parking and walking.

Allowing public art and planning ahead for spaces provides local employment opportunities, helps make the project more loved, and may be a good opportunity to recycle some materials that will otherwise have to be disposed of in the landfill (or recycled) such as some of the artifacts currently residing behind the mining museum.

Exposed Aggregate Sidewalk Pictures

Exposing aggregate provides added stability and safety (traction) preservation of a more rural feel and oftentimes a more durable finish. Typically such sidewalks would be less appropriate to stamp or put designs in, but it could still be done.

3/27/13 Pervious Concrete and Hydrascape (Slotted Concrete) in Lakewood

Master Planning Projects Projects out for Bid Drainageway Contractor Selection Criteria Manual Floodplain Preservation Brochure District Boundary (GIS) District Logo District Specifications Guidelines/Forms Monuments Threatened Species Map Publications Software Technical Papers/Manuals Activity Summary Flood Hazard News All Other Publications Hydraulics and Design Hydrology LID and Full Spectrum Detention Stormwater Quality and BMPs Watershed Planning Conferences FEMA Local Governments Training and Education Board of Directors Staff Facts and History

Rain Extended Pervious Concrete PICP and Porous Green Roof Control Roof Rainwater Harvesting Garden Detention Basin and Hydrascape Asphalt

Pervious Concrete and Hydrascape (Slotted Concrete) in Lakewood

Pervious Concrete - Although this site is no longer in place a detailed report spanning 2005 to 2010 has been posted.

We expanded our permeable pavement research when we added a new type of permeable pavement at our BMP test site in Lakewood, CO. The site previously contained pervious concrete constructed using different aggregates. When one section of the pervious concrete started to ravel, UDFCD looked for another opportunity. The concept of the new pavement was developed by Colorado Hardscapes under the name Hydrascapes. Although the name is trademarked, the construction technique, which includes saw cutting of conventional concrete, remains available to the construction community. The wearing course consists of conventional concrete with a pattern of full depth cuts (perpendicular to flow) that extend into the aggregate below. Use of conventional concrete allows flexibility in appearance, color and pattern as well as potential for wide spread use. A skilled installer will make the full depth cuts indistinguishable from the control cuts giving the pavement the appearance of pavers. This also expands potential use of the pavement to more decorative areas at a lower cost compared to permeable interlocking concrete pavers (PICP). Colorado Hardscapes constructed an approximate 1000 square foot pad in August of 2011 and expanded it in 2012, doubling the area. UDFCD plans to conduct yearly infiltration tests and determine maintenance recommendations and promulgate design criteria dependent on performance over the next several years.

Saw cutting slotted concrete. Slotted concrete following construction in 2011.

Address: 2480 West 26th Avenue Suite 156-B Denver, CO 80211 | Phone: 303-455-6277 | Fax: 303-455-7880

www.udfcd.org/msplan/msplan_pervious_hydrascape.html 1/1 NedPeds Proposed Accelerated Process Schedule- March 26, 2013

Weeks (estimate) 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 Month April May June July Aug Community Meetings, DDA and DAT buy in for preferred 60% design NPP 60% Process 90% Design to DDA 90% Design to BoT CDOT FOR Meeting Out to Bid Biomimicry Meeting Construction

NPP 60% Process DDA Meeting 3-Apr Public Meeting 6 or 7 April SAB Meeting 10-Apr PROSAB Meeting 18-Apr BOT 16-Apr Planning Commission Meeting 24-Apr

BioMimicry Public Meeting Early May

Final Approval (90%) Meetings DDA 15-May BOT 21-May

CDOT FOR Meeting 22-May

Construction Schedule Out to Bid 10-Jun Award Contract 1-Jul Start Construction 15-Jul Finish Construction 30-Aug Use of Nature-Based Principles as a Design and Evaluation Tool for a Stormwater Mitigation Project in Nederland, Colorado

“I want to live in a place where you can’t tell where the city ends and Nature starts.” Matt, engineering student, CU Boulder.

This is an ambitious vision, but not an impossible one. Repurposing existing infrastructure is a place to start realizing this vision and the Town of Nederland, Colorado has begun the process, one project at a time. They started by deciding to design with Nature a stormwater mitigation project in their downtown area by consulting life’s genius using the science of biomimicry.

Biomimicry is learning from, and then emulating natural forms, processes and ecosystems to create more sustainable designs. By asking the question “What would Nature do here?” designers can discover a truly sustainable solution, or at least find a path to move towards sustainability.

The Town of Nederland contacted the Environmental Protection Agency’s Certified Biomimicry Professional with a request for assistance to solve a problem with flooding due to their poorly designed storm water system. Nature has developed many strategies to collect, store and distribute water with low energy process and these sustainable design ideas are available for use with the added benefit of 3.8 billion years of research and development. An initial scoping meeting was held with Town of Nederland (the Town) administrators and interested Town residents on May 31, 2012 to discuss the problem and identify a nature-based approach that could be implemented. As a result of this meeting, EPA’s Pollution Prevention and Toxics Unit, in partnership with EPA’s Stormwater Program, offered to provide the requested services for this project:

• A workshop on biomimicry designed for the Town’s selected consultants.

• A workshop designed for the public that will address sustainability topics relating to this challenge. This will provide the public with an overview of the mitigation and design options that will be addressed in greater detail during presentations of plans by the consultants.

• A stormwater/drainage specialist from the EPA who would be willing to serve on their Technical Review Committee, a group of individuals who would provide technical review and assistance to the consultants in focused meetings.

The Town released a Request for Proposal (RFP) to assist them in identifying the parameters for the final design solution. The RFP required that the selected contractor participate in an EPA sponsored two-part biomimicry education session and to hire a biologist who would assist in identifying opportunities to incorporate biomimicry’s Life’s Principles into the project design. Life on earth is made up of an ever-changing and complex network of interconnected and interdependent organisms. Scientist, working to discover how nature works, have found a pattern of common principles that all surviving organism use to fit in on this planet. These common principles are called Life’s Principles and they represent nature’s strategies for sustainability. Using Life’s Principles to guide a design provides a basis for the mind shift that must occur in order to move human designs towards sustainability.

The Town’s goal for this project is a design that mimics the natural processes as much as possible, resulting in a low energy system that will adapt and evolve over time. The Town agreed to procure existing maps and resources that identify the original drainage in the watershed before human development (identify what the water wants to do) and to identify local individuals who have the specific technical expertise and the willingness to assist with this project.

The two biomimicry educational session were held with the Design Team (Team) that included the following individuals: Marie Zanowick, Certified Biomimicry Professional, EPA Greg Davis, Stormwater Program, EPA Conor Merrigan, Principal, C2 Sustainability Darrin Masters, Certified Wildlife Biologist, Smith Environmental & Engineering David Kim, P.E., Huitt-Zollars Kim A. Martin, P.E., Huitt-Zollars

During the biomimicry sessions the Team developed an understanding of the current stormwater system, identified the functions that were necessary for a sustainable system and learned how to apply Life’s Principles to the design solution. Functions that have been lost due to past development include: • Conveying of water for flood control, recharge of groundwater and improved water quality • Providing natural habitat for aquatic and wildlife life and restore riparian areas • Providing transportation for excess water, humans (walking, car and bike) and for other organisms (fish and wildlife)

The Team visited the site, met with the Technical Review Committee and EPA’s Stormwater expert identified options for sustainable solutions to the stormwater issues (Attachment 1). The Team considered each sustainable solution recommended by EPA’s stormwater expert and identified the Life Principles that was satisfied by this action (Attachment 2). Designs that meet Life’s Principles will likely emerge as well adapted to the conditions in Nederland. This type of evaluation is essentially ensuring that the solution has been designed with nature in mind. Evaluating using biomimicry is a way for humans to critique the appropriateness of a design as well as check for missed opportunities. This approach provides a higher standard than conventional measurement tools such as those for quality, safety and compliance. A nature-based evaluation will improve the evaluation stage by bringing the local conditions into the conversation.

In this evaluation, the proposed solutions were matched to corresponding Life’s Principle in a matrix in order to determine if all of the functions were being addressed (Attachment 2). The Team biologist from Smith Environmental & Engineering provided detailed information on appropriate structures, pathways, vegetation and culvert design that would promote a return of the necessary system functions. The Team engineers from Huitt-Zollars identified physical, cost, and/or regulatory barriers that must be considered for each design idea. Permeable pavement and bioswales could be used to restore basic infiltration functions, although these options have limits. The most significant barriers were not enough room for bioswales in the existing easement and restrictions placed on the design by Colorado water laws and environmental regulations. For example, the use of permeable pavement in the design would decrease the amount of excess water that needs to be managed, but the amount of water that is infiltrated cannot be adequately measured and cannot be considered as a mitigating factor in calculating the final design solution.

The matrix also highlights which functions are not being addressed, such as restoring the migration pathways for animals living in the Nederland ecosystem. The biomimicry Life Principle matrix indicates how each of the design options identified by the Team contributes to restoring the functions identified as important for a sustainable solution and which Life Principles are met by these options. The overall goal of a sustainable system is to meet all of Life’s Principles and to restore all necessary function to the system. Adoption of a design that meets all of Life’s Principles is not economically or physically possible for the Town due to the pre-existing site conditions, existing easements and placement of buildings, and other regulatory barriers.

Next Steps: • The next step in this process is to present the work of the Team to the Town. As additional design ideas are generated, they should be added to the matrix in order to generate a clear vision of which of Life’s Principles are met in the final project design. • The Town should identify which functions and Life Principles are significant in meeting their sustainability goals. The Town has a sustainability goal and how this project fits into their overall sustainability goals should be considered. • The Town needs an overall sustainability plan for development. This project is an attempt to “green” one project, and there is no process to tie all of the individual Town projects, underway or planned, together. Addressing each one separately may not produce a sustainable outcome. For example, the Town could consider broad-based solutions such as a parking garage at one end of Town and promoting walking and biking instead of more car parking spaces throughout the street and could look at a sub-station delivery area for businesses instead of widening the roads to allow this kind of delivery to each store. A whole systems approach to Town planning to address these type of problems will result in a more sustainable solution. • The Town has a responsibility to maintain the functions of the new system. Education on the system needs, functions, benefits and stewardship responsibilities for the finished project should be provided to Town residents, especially those who live along the affected street. The library should be considered as a possible site for interpretive and conservation education. The site would potentially include a kiosk and a meeting place for educators to discuss the scope of the Towns sustainability master plan and how it is being implemented. • The Town should consider placing restrictions on redevelopment based on the ability to retain the system’s functions. • As the Town considers other projects, biomimicry’s Life Principles should be used to evaluate the long-term sustainability of the considered solutions, as this evaluation will highlight opportunity for sustainable, low energy options as well as identify areas where the design may fail in the future, areas where Life’s Principles are not met.

Attachment 1

Ned Ped Write-Up of Sustainability & Utility

Biomimetic Functions Performed by the Ned Ped path:

1. Conveyance of water (flood control/water quality) 2. Habitat (aquatic/riparian/wildlife habitat) 3. Transportation and connectivity* (fish/wildlife migration, pedestrian/bike movement)

Biomimetic Form/Process/Ecosystem:

1. Form – Mixed compacted alluvium and rock benches adjacent to perennial stream with 2. Process – Infiltration nearby streambed through large pore space alluvium/ conveyance of water through alluvial transport to downstream / small stream pooling for pollutant deposition / riparian plant pollutant uptake / habitat creation through / compacted alluvium and rocks allow transportation adjacent to stream and to water source when absent perennial flow 3. Ecosystem – Montane Forest

Related biomimicry notes:

1. Resilience is created through variation, redundancy, decentralization 2. Function is performed through use of sunlight, water, gravity

Measures of Success for the Project:

1. Maintenance of biomimetic functions 2. Cost-effectivess 3. Experience (placemaking/aesthetics) 4. Measured Sustainability (Resolution 2011-21/LEED) 5. Maintainable

Notes from the November 16, 2012 Meeting in Relation to Measures of Success:

Maintenance of biomimetic functions (1):

1. Flood control could be greatly enhanced by managing upstream flow the community center and parking lot through onsite retention and infiltration systems 2. Some level of flooding at periodic intervals is to be expected 3. Infiltration could be enhanced: a. The path could contain a pattern/strip of looser material for increased infiltration b. Infiltration in the road itself could be enhanced to promote infiltration c. Use of substrates with varying porosity and porous pipes could be used to guide and infiltrate flows 4. Habitat could be enhanced by selective pooling areas a. Alternating small pools/infiltration strips adjacent to 2nd downstream of the roundabout are proposed b. Opportunity areas for pooling should be considered utilizing stream enhancement and/or culvert design (e.g., library/roundabout/existing culverts)

Cost-Effective (2)

1. Not paving the street and incorporating curb/gutter more cost-effective 2. A porous pavement system is not likely cost-effective due to high product/install costs 3. Porous pavement systems/porous concrete/porous asphalt all come with a cost associated with the uncertainty in terms of maintenance and reliability

Experience (3)

1. Traffic speed reduction/ traffic calming should be considered 2. People don’t want sidewalks (but don’t seem to mind the downtown gridded cement walks) 3. A maintained path with connectivity allows for more reliable multi-modal transportation 4. The path needs to be distinct – Distinction draws people to use the path, enhancing connectivity, safety from traffic through distinct color/elevation/texture 5. Library area habitat enhancements would provide habitat/function with a unique option for education/

Measured Sustainability (4)

1. Use of concrete rubble by the lake would meet siginificant LEED criteria for local materials 2. Connectivity of public services (post office/library/transit) meets LEED ND

Maintenance (5):

1. Whatever is used, if it can become a standard for Nederland, that will make it much more maintainable. If equipment is needed like a vac-truck, then it could be used at multiple areas 2. Materials need to be: a. Permeable b. Plowable c. Safe (textured/delineated) 3. Creekside owners need education on planting, preventing deterioration to function and design, and to enable habitat/function enhancement through planting and land use 4. Restrictions on re-development could be considered based on function

Presentation – Need to identify opportunities that meet multiple metrics for success are met and slides for those (e.g., library – aesthetics/habitat/function)

* Connectivity is a measure of how the landscape facilities animal movement between resources patches and promotes continuous movement of wildlife over long distances.

Attachment 2: NedPed Project – Applying Biomimicry’s Life Principles to the Project Design

BIOMIMICRY’S LIFE PRINCIPLES FUNCTION SYSTEM EVOLVE TO BE RESOURCE ADAPT TO INTEGRATE BE LOCALLY USE LIFE BARRIERS NOTES GOAL SURVIVE: EFFICIENT: CHANGING DEVELOPMENT ATTUNED AND FRIENDLY Continually Skillfully & CONDITIONS: AND GROWTH: RESPONSIVE: CHEMISTRY: incorporate & embody conservatively take Appropriately respond Invest optimally in Fit into and integrate Use chemistry that information to ensure advantage of local to dynamic contexts. strategies that promote with the surrounding supports life processes. enduring performance. resources & both development and environment. opportunities. growth. Applicable to Meet *Educate Ned * No paving for road * Place restrictions on *Material selected for * There are 7 master All Functions Nederland’s population on system or pathways. redevelopment based project should become plans for the Town needs, functions, *Connectivity of on retaining system a Nederland standard. without enough Sustainability benefits & stewardship public services (post functions. *Educate Ned correlation between Vision responsibilities. Use office, library, transit) *The Town needs to population on system plans. library for signs. would meet LEED develop a sustainability needs, functions, * Place restrictions on requirements. master plan, and benefits & stewardship redevelopment based process for responsibilities. Use on retaining system implementation. library for signs. functions. *Connectivity of public services (post office, library, transit) would meet LEED requirements. Conveyance of Flood * Some level of * Use of concrete * Enhance infiltration * Upstream flow * Incorporate bio * Colorado water laws * Where would you Water Control flooding is to be rubble by the lake in the road. managed by onsite swales into the design. places 48 hour hold place retention pond? expected. would make use of * Some level of retention and * Alternate small pools restriction on * If road is paved add local material. flooding is to be infiltration system. & infiltration strips rainwater. features to increase *Materials selected expected. adjacent to 2nd St. * Not enough room for infiltration. should be permeable. * Use substrates with below the roundabout. bio swales in * Must consider varying porosity and easement. maintenance cost and porous pipes to guide * Quantifiable metrics reliability of porous infiltration flows. required by design do pavement not include those * Utilize stream achieved by permeable enhancement and pavement. culvert design to Recharge * Materials selected * Enhance infiltration increase pooling. Groundwater should be permeable. in the road.

Water * Some level of * Upstream flow * Not enough room for Quality flooding is to be managed by onsite bio swales in expected. retention and easement. * Use substrates with infiltration system. * Quantifiable metrics varying porosity and * Incorporate bio required by design do porous pipes to guide swales into the design. not include those infiltration flows. achieved by permeable * Incorporate bio pavement. swales into the design.

Provide Protect * Enhance habitat by Natural Aquatic Life selective pooling. Habitat Attachment 2: NedPed Project – Applying Biomimicry’s Life Principles to the Project Design

Provide *Alternate small pools * Some level of Riparian & infiltration strips flooding is to be adjacent to 2nd St. expected. Habitat below roundabout. Provide Wildlife Habitat Provide Transport * Enhance infiltration * Use substrates with * Quantifiable metrics Transportation Excess Water thru path pattern or varying porosity and required by design do strip of loose fill porous pipes to guide not include those material. infiltration flows. achieved by permeable * Some level of pavement. flooding at periodic intervals is to be expected. * Materials selected should be plowable. Fish * Culvert replacement * Is this a goal of the Movement will allow for more Town? room for migration. * All culverts need to be replaced and they will be larger, providing more access to fish and wildlife. Wildlife * Culvert replacement Migration will allow for more room for migration. Pedestrian * No street paving, * Residents do not *Cannot have curb and * Consider traffic Movement incorporate curb and want sidewalks. gutter without paving. speed reduction and gutter. * Materials selected * Must be ADA traffic calming. * Residents do not should be plowable. compliant. * Residents want a want sidewalks. * Maintained pathway pathway, not a paved with connectivity sidewalk. promotes multi-modal transportation. * Distinct pathway to draw people’ use 9color, texture, elevation). Bike * No street paving, * Materials selected *Cannot have curb and * How will a road Movement incorporate curb and should be plowable. gutter without paving. meander affect bikes? gutter. * Is there enough room * Consider traffic *Residents do not want for bikes and people? speed reduction and sidewalks. traffic calming. Auto * No street paving, * Materials selected * Delivery trucks * Consider traffic Movement incorporate curb and should be plowable. block road. speed reduction and gutter. *Residents do not want traffic calming. sidewalks. * Parking spaces designated for snow storage in winter

3/27/13 Lay It Down | Storm Water Solutions

search...

new sletters subscribe advertise contact us

MAGAZINE ZONES CONTINUING EDUCATION BUYER'S GUIDE PRODUCTS + SERVICES EVENTS CALENDAR TOP PROJECTS

Lay It Down

March 11, 2013

Pavement for hospital lot needed to withstand tough Canadian winters, heavy usage

Sharre 2 Tw eet 0

The expansion of the Peter Lougheed Hospital required new pavement surfaces for its roadways for ambulance use and the parking lot.

Since the city of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, has developed a storm water management strategy to protect watershed health as the city continues to grow, the hospital was asked to utilize techniques and materials that have a positive impact on the environment. VIDEOS The owners, Calgary Health Region, decided to use SF-Rima permeable pavements, which eliminate storm water runoff. The water or snowmelt infiltrates through open joints and filters through various aggregate layers, removing up to 95% of the average annual post-development total Permeable pavements can reduce or even suspended solids and up to 70% of the average annual post- eliminate costly storm sewer systems. development total phosphorous, based on the average annual loadings from all storms less than or equal to the two-year/24-hour-storm. The water then is allowed to return into the local groundwater system.

The Calgary climate experiences Chinook conditions throughout the winter. Warm temperatures allow snow to melt and permeate between the joints to the sub-base, therefore avoiding water from pooling and freezing when temperatures drop.

The water enters the pavement through the open joints between SF-Rima paving stones and drains in to the underlying open graded layers. It is not retained in the pavement's surface structure and thus demonstrates good freeze-thaw resistance.

Water ideally drains to the subgrade layer relatively quickly without freezing in place.

The coldest temperature is near the pavement surface. Freezing gradually progresses into the base layers and subgrade where the frost remains for only a short time.

Regular snow removal equipment is being used to remove the snow, but not sand or deicing material, to avoid clogging of the joints and to avoid pollution. Instead, gravel material, the same aggregate used in the joints, should be chosen to provide traction.

Reduction or elimination of storm water runoff helped to achieve LEED credits for water management.

The SF-Rima paving stones for this project used the new Kolorscapes process, which places the color in the top 10% of the paving stone. This process also allowed for white cement to be used to achieve the Solar Reflective Index rating.

The permeable pavement provided the hospital with a durable surface that is attractive, low in maintenance and functional. MORE VIDEOS

Permeable pavements can reduce or even eliminate costly storm sewer systems, reduce the size of storm water detention ponds and provide additional land area for potential development.

www.estormwater.com/lay-it-down-0?utm_campaign=SWS Case-of-the-Month%3A Lay It Down&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_source=Storm Water Solutions C… 1/2 3/27/13 Lay It Down | Storm Water Solutions

Permeable pavements can reduce or even eliminate costly storm sewer systems.