Print friendly version

Local Governments See the Benefits of Low Impact Development

By Patrick Heck

As Florida's population grows exponentially, developers and local governments are (slowly) taking notice of how urbanization impacts Florida's natural environment. Concerned with how land is managed and developed, major efforts to limit these impacts are underway.

"At no point in history have efforts promoting efficiency been more important and worthwhile," explains Hal Knowles, the coordinator for the University of Florida's Program for Resource Efficient Communities (PREC). "Green building can help Florida meet the diverse challenges that await our residents and businesses in the years to come; from the design and construction of buildings that maximize energy efficiency and improve resistance to the effects of natural disasters such as hurricanes to the master planning of residential communities that increase transportation options, preserve natural habitat, and conserve water."

Last May, Gainesville was host to Florida's largest conference and tradeshow dedicated to the promotion of green building, design and construction: GreenTrends 2006. As a Conference co-sponsor, the School of Natural Resources and Environment awarded Extension agents with travel scholarships to attend the conference and participate in the workshops. Hal Knowles, who also coordinated the GreenTrends Conference noted, "this was an opportunity for UF, its faculty and programs to gain a significant level of exposure and network among a diverse and influential group of green building leaders in Florida."

One significant outcome of the show came on the coattails of a break out session on low impact development (LID), an environmentally sensitive approach to developing land and managing storm water runoff. Facilitated by Dr. Mark Clark, UF Assistant Professor of Soil and Water Science, that session provided a forum for Florida-based storm water management officials and professionals to interact with two experts from the Pacific Northwest. Mike Abbaté, Landscape Architect and Principal with GreenWorks, and Steve Fancher, Civil Engineer with the City of Portland's Bureau of Environmental Services, provided an overview of the LID projects recently undertaken in Portland, OR. They discussed the opportunities driving the market toward LID and the challenges facing the "early adopters" implementing LID practices. Obstacles in public perception, regulatory approval, and performance enforcement became apparent for even seemingly simple practices, such as replacing wide impervious roads bordered by curbs and gutters with narrower permeable paved roads bordered by vegetated swales.

Following the conference, the St. Johns River Water Management District and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection hired PREC to develop and host educational workshops on low impact development strategies for local governments in Florida. These workshops are designed to inform county and city officials about the benefits of developing in a way that sustains the beauty of natural lands and minimizes water quality degradation while still accommodating Florida's new residents.

"Each year more builders pull permits for green homes and more developers lay the infrastructure for green developments. Even local governments, such as the City of Gainesville and Sarasota County, have jumped on board with incentives such as 50% off permit fees and free project fast-tracking," explains Hal.

While federal and local governments have begun providing incentives for homebuilders and homeowners who utilize energy efficient technologies, acceptance has been relatively slow. At the first GreenTrends conference, green building was still a relatively young idea. The public perception was that building "green" was an additional feature of construction, not part of the initial design process. The selection of windows and heating and cooling systems were seen as separate decisions. In fact, these features are both connected to energy efficiency and indoor comfort. Most people also thought building a green home was too expensive, failing to see it as an investment with future returns. Over the last few years this perception has changed.

UF Associate Professor in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, Dr. Mark Hostetler, a PREC Executive Committee Member, notes that "many people [regulators, builders and owners] in Florida have begun to realize that something needs to be done in the way we develop."

Also affiliated with Harmony, Florida, an 'environmentally intelligent' residential community, Dr. Hostetler states that "Harmony has looked at the three major aspects associated with green building: planning/design, construction and post-construction. Policy makers also need to address these three aspects in future regulations. Low impact development, when addressed holistically, will help the adoption process."

Low impact development and green building practices will gain more exposure this year as the Florida Home Builders Association (FHBA) and the FGBC showcase success stories and recent trends at the Southeast Builders Conference in Orlando, July 2007.

Check the Web site (http://www.greentrends.org) for more information on GreenTrends2007.

The Program for Resource Efficient Communities is part of the School of Natural Resources and Environment. PREC integrates and applies the University of Florida's educational and analytical assets to promote the adoption of best design, construction and management practices that measurably reduce energy and water consumption and environmental degradation in new residential community developments. PREC's focus extends from the individual home and lot level through site development to surrounding lands and ecological systems. The Program supports the implementation of resource efficient community development practices through: direct training and consulting activities; applied research projects and case studies; academic courses and degree programs; and evaluation of "green" certification standards.

Hal Knowles is Coordinator for the Program for Resource Efficient Communities. He currently promotes the adoption of best green design and operation practices in new residential community development, creates extension education materials, and fosters public/private partnerships that pursue sustainability in Florida's built environment. Hal recently finished a three-year term on the Board of Directors for the Florida Green Building Coalition where he also served as Treasurer.

Web Resources: