Summit Crossing will incorporate elements of sustainability & low impact development by considering grading impacts, enhancement of natural drainage systems for storm water management, and preservation of natural areas.
The topography will be studied to determine the best areas for development and preservation. An effort will be made to develop some areas more intensely so other natural places can be saved. Architecture will work with grades and step along slopes to rest more gently on the land.
Green infrastructure is a term applied to the practice of using natural systems to clean and infiltrate storm water. Bioswales, rain gardens, and constructed wetlands will be able to treat storm water while providing a valuable, natural amenity to the community.
Other sustainable practices that may be featured in Summit Crossing include:
- Use of native vegetation to reduce irrigation demands
- Rooftop gardens where possible providing animal habitat as well as reducing stormwater runoff and heat island effect
- Orientation of buildings to maximize passive solar and wind opportunities to heat and cool buildings
- The use of recycled and regional building materials
| Design Consideration | Strategies | Benefits | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stormwater Management | Work to manage stormwater more naturally on site rather than divert it to other low lying area | Introduce green spaces in the form of mews and swales where possible to help manage water naturally and create amenities to the site. | Helps recharge groundwater supply and aquifers, reduces flooding of low lying areas and mitigates pollution from runoff. |
| Minimize Impervious Surfaces | Minimize Streets, Sidewalks, and Parking lots where possible to help the drainage of rainwater into the ground naturally. Use pervious pavement in appropriate areas to further manage natural absorption. | Sidewalks on one side only. Minimal Street width. Porous asphalt and concrete, Pavers, Grass pave and Gravel Pave. | Reduces runoff, filtrates water reducing pollution in groundwater supplies, reduces solar heat gain through use of low-albedo (light coloring), creates less reflective driving surface increasing safety. |
| Stormwater Retention | Preservation and reforestation on site wherever possible. Bio retention swales located to provide most benefit to the site. | Groundwater recharge may be accomplished through the use of cisterns or by enhancing/restoring soils in the use of bio retention swales and rain gardens. | Preserves and restores the hydrological functions of watersheds. Mimicking these functions helps maintain the ecological and biological integrity of receiving streams. |
| Native Plantings | Preserve existing vegetation, limit soil disturbance, locate and size plants appropriate to the site. Reforestation where appropriate. | Specify indigenous plants when appropriate. Low maintenance plant material in terms of irrigation or other issues. | Plants mitigate climate reducing energy consumption through air conditioning and heating. Landscaping increases property value. Reduces heat island effect. Decreases water runoff. |
| Minimal Excavation | In areas where appropriate, use natural landscape features including elevation changes, watershed, infiltration, and water seeps. | Limit unnecessary disturbance during construction. Depends upon site location and density requirements. | Time and energy savings in reduction of excavation from one area to another thereby lowering pollution. Potential to save more natural vegetation, reducing landscaping required for amenities. |
