Fife considers new low impact development codes

By Meghan Erkkinen

Fife Free Press
merkkinen@tacomaweekly.com
Published on: October 23, 2008

The Fife City Council will soon be voting on new low impact development (LID) codes in order to help the city become more sustainable.

The council has several possible strategies to consider as part of a potential LID code. These strategies include adding a new “green street” category, implementing LID stormwater management in city parks, offering stormwater rate discounts to developers who treat runoff, adding new requirements for subdivisions, and creating a “green area factor,” which would create LID standards for new development.

At a study session, the city council offered their initial comments on the proposal, and while they generally approved of the concept, many had concerns that the codes would lack the teeth necessary to make any difference.

“I liked a lot of what I read,” said Mayor Barry Johnson. “I’m still concerned there’s not enough motivation (for developers) here…I’d love to see [the standards] get built into the ground.”

The most significant part of the LID proposal is the “green area factor,” which was first implemented in the United States by the city of Seattle. The green area factor establishes a percentage of each property that may be covered with some sort of landscaping or permeable surface.

Developers have a variety of options for achieving the percentage, whether through plantings, lawns, green roofs, rain gardens, permeable pavement or other options. Different methods are weighted differently, so developers may mix and match options to meet the required percentage, giving them a certain amount of design flexibility in their projects.

Developers who meet the established percentage can get up to a 40 percent discount on stormwater utility taxes. A general consensus among the council held that the incentive was not strong enough, and that the city should move away from incentives toward more of a regulatory requirement.

“I really believe this isn’t much more expensive than traditional methods,” said Councilmember Butch Brooks.

Citizens are invited to participate in a public hearing on the proposed low impact development standards at the council meeting Oct. 28 at 7 p.m.

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