Board Matter
April 3, 2006
Fairfax County Low Impact Development (LID)
Design Manual

Mr. Chairman:
Background:
Mr. Chairman: As you know, in 2005, six (6) LID practices were identified by the Department of Public Works and Environmental Services (DPWES) in coordination with a stakeholders' group for incorporation into the Public Facilities Manual (PFM). The 6 practices include: bioretention basins and filters (rain gardens), water quality (vegetated) swales, tree box filters, vegetated roofs (green roofs), permeable pavers, and reforestation. County staff anticipate bringing the matter to the Board of Supervisors for authorization to advertise the proposed amendments by the end of this summer (2006).

Several projects, highlighting the use of LID techniques and other innovative stormwater management practices, are currently in design, under development, or have been completed on county-owned property - I am pleased to remind my collegues that the Providence District Government Center is one such example. In addition, LID practices increasingly are being incorporated into development plans. Proposals to implement LID practices are evaluated by DPWES and the Department of Planning and Zoning (DPZ) staffs during the zoning process and are pursued where appropriate.

All of this is welcomed news. However, it has come to my attention that the preparation of a much needed LID design manual, an effort currently being pursued by the Northern Virginia Regional Commission and the Engineers and Surveyors Institute, seems to have been delayed. I believe that the design manual is vital to ensuring across-the-board success of the implementation of LID practices (both public and private), and that the county has a vested interest in ensuring that a design manual be developed.

Motion:

Therefore, I move that the Director of the Department of Public Works and Environmental Services (DPWES) review the status of this effort and come back with a recommendation on how best to resolve this issue. Further, I move that the Director notify the Board by our June 5 meeting of his recommendation on whether the current effort can still be pursued or whether the county should pursue its own effort to prepare a design manual.