Why Build
Green?

Low Impact Design (LID) is a storm water management strategy that aims to control water, both rainfall and storm water runoff, at the source. By managing water at the site, rainfall and storm water runoff can be used to replenish the ground water rather than sending it into a strom drain system to be taken to a water treatment facility. 

LID utilizes both engineered systems and vegetated, natural systems, to filter the water. A combination of these two systems offers the opportunity to restore the natural water on a site, in turn, reducing the enivronmental impact of the residential or commerical development.  

1. Improve the aesthetics of development

2. Manage storm water more efficienty and economically

3. Protect water supplies

4. Protect water quality and the environment

1. Decrease road widths
2. Decrease driveway widths, considered shared drives between housing units
3. Consider pervious surfaces including: brick pavers, permeable concrete, permable asphalt, and stone
4. Decrease sidwalk widths
5. Consider the existing vegetation when planning the development site
6. Add vegetated areas in close proximity to permeable surfaces, those that don't absorb water, to help slow run off and filter pollutants
7. Disconnect roof downspouts and direct rainfall into vegetated areas or into water collection basins
8. Vegetated roofs or Green roofs
9. Utilize native plants, those that thrive in Michigan's natural conditions, and require lower maintenance and water to survive