Building Greener Lots
Due to the fact that the Western New York area has an abundance of lots and roadways, it's good to see someone take some green measures. We recently saw a very green Artspace walkway that allows rainwater to drain directly into the ground. This scenario is the next best solution that I have seen (locally). The plant beds act as a visual buffer to the stark parking lot, and even the trees get plenty of water. I would imagine that the plant-life would have to be hardy to withstand some of the pollutant runoff, but if the groundskeeper knows what to plant, then the problem is solved. Obviously these plants are thriving in this rather harsh environment.
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Comment Options
DJB
Nice way to kill 2 birds with one stone - beautify and reduce the runoff to the storm sewers. I had heard that there was going to be a rain barrel program to help with this issue as well. Does anyone know where one can find information about it?
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sbrof
good article and important issue. This is how little steps can add up to large savings for both the environment and the government. Less storm water means, less demand on the sewer system which means less money for the sewer authority. It also means less peak demand and therefore less sewage overflow. It should be law / code that ALL parking lots / parcels manage their storm water on site.
A couple cities are moving forward with systems that meter the water that leaves your property.. this way they charge you by how much load you have onto the system. Buffalo should do this during the reconstruction of its sewer system.
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InformedOne
Interesting concept on the metering of effluent off of the property. I often argue this point as a homeowner as sewer and water consumption are based on the same meter incoming. Now if I water my garden or drink the water it doesn't end up in the sewer at teh same volume as taking a shower, or doing dishes does.
I like the creative use of parking lot runoff to supplement irrigation needs, though I would caution in the winter and spring with excessive that, runoff, freeze this could present a potential slip/fall condition (the fear of every property owner read Cellino and Barnes). Nonetheless, good article and worthy of more investigation. Interesting concept on the law/code enforcement of on-site waste water management sbrof, though in light of this city's severely understaffed code enforcement department I think we would be pushing rope upstream.
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RisingDamp666
If all the surface parking lots in Buffalo were greened up, the city would rival the Amazon rainforest.
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Rebecca
InformedOne - much of the water you drink ends up in sewer later.
Many municipalities are across the country are charging for runoff not based by metering your sewer input but based on your square footage of impervious surfaces. For a homeowner, this would mean your roof, porch, and driveway if you have one. For a big box store, it would be based on the roof as well as the entire parking lot. That is, unless the property owner can show that storm water is being managed on site - like in the picture above.
Billing water this way would create an incentive for these type of projects that not only reduce strain on the sewer system but beautify. Also, home owners wouldn't have to subsidize the treatment of runoff from a parking lot.
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Kernwatch3
Mpls, with strong environmental concern about Mississippi River water quality, levies a monthly rainwater runoff fee 0f $10.26 per ESU (equivalent rainwater unit) calculated on impervious surfaces (roof, walkways, parking area).
Our up-down double similar to many doubles in Bflo pays $13.85 a month, while having no rainwater hook-ups to the storm sewer (roof run-off is spead across grassy areas).
Sadly, we have two rainbarrels but there is currently no financial credit for them.
For those who complain about Bflo's garbage fee, Mpls monthy charge per living unit is $13, $4 per cart, $2.80 taxes & fees, minus $7 recycling credit (monthly total per unit $20.80).
Dick Kern
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chris69
There can be few less expensive ways to improve a city than with landscaping: ivys, trees and flowers.
Nothing gives the appearance of safety Nothing creates the impression of well maintained, livable, workable, shopable place to visit Nothing makes the street and sidewalk more pedestrial friendly Nothing invites investment into a community Nothing brings traffic to your community to support housing values and businesses
in short nothing does more to improve a community and a city for less money than a tree and landscaping.
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