Case Study
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Issaquah Highlands: A Green Community
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Built Green Rating: 3 Star
Community Checklist
Location: Issaquah
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In the neighborhoods of Issaquah Highlands,
it's always a good day for a walk! That's because a key element
of the urban village design in this Built Green certified community
is its pedestrian orientation. Issaquah Highlands is designed
with homes clustered along narrow, tree-lined streets and oriented
toward the sidewalk, often with front porches. Homes are never
more than a 1/4-mile walk from a neighborhood park or playground.
This 2,500-acre community has preserved about 1,400 acres as
permanent open space so that residents can share and enjoy
trees, meadows, parks, ponds and spectacular views. Great care
is taken during all phases of development to protect the soil
from erosion, and protect trees and water quality. Where trees
have been removed for building sites, many were relocated,
and other areas have been replanted with more than 1,500 native
trees.
Green features in this community include:
Site Design
- Planning reduces dependence on automobiles
- Designed for maximum population density under the Growth Management Act
- Homes clustered on site help preserve 1,400 acres of shared open space
- Parks and pocket parks provided throughout community
- Alleys provided for rear garage access
- Mixed housing types provide diversity
- Community facilities provided to promote good neighbors
- Pedestrian-friendly access routes throughout community
- Commuter lot with 1,000 vehicle capacity encourages use of public mass transit
- Most homes within development are required to be Built Green certified
- Exterior lighting designed for lower light pollution
- Innovative fire station collects rainwater runoff
- Shared parking, with minimum standards used as maximums
Landscaping
- Wildlife corridors preserved
- Streets and sidewalks conform to natural terrain
- 65% tree canopy provided
- Trees planted to provide shade over 30% of impervious surfaces (within 5 years)
- Landscaped with drought tolerant and native species
- Grass type installed needs less watering and minimal maintenance
- Soil amendments provided in disturbed areas to restore environmental functions
- Landscaped beds mulched help retain moisture and reduce irrigation needs
- Natural/slow release fertilizers used to establish vegetation
- Non-toxic and recycled-content site accessories installed
- Sensitive areas left undisturbed, and developed areas restored
Water Flow and Quality
- No more than 10% effective impervious surfaces
- Low-impact development techniques mimic the site's predevelopment water flow
- Filter strips of vegetated land provide treatment for and help control stormwater runoff
- Infiltration basins and detention ponds help control the flow of water
- Parking areas/pathways designed to minimize stormwater runoff with porous pavement
Planning and Education
- Trees and open space protected
- Extensive homeowners' handbook and landscape maintenance plan created for residents
- Builders' field guide prepared of best management practices
- Interpretive signs placed highlighting key environmental features in community
- Operations and maintenance plan created for common area facilities
- Design and planning charrette conducted for builders and sales agents
- 150 acres of wetlands protected; maintained by residents in unique stewardship plan
Site Protection during Construction
- Native topsoil protected and stored on site for use when construction complete
- Compost used to stabilize soils
- Clearing and grading during winter months prohibited to protect soil
- Storm drain inlets protected with 'silt boots' to prevent soil from washing into streams
- No more than 40% of a site was disturbed at one time with phased grading plan
- Landclearing wood and stumps ground for reuse on site
- Any hazardous wastewas properly covered, protected and disposed
- Extensive support providedto builders to help them build green
Community Map
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a map in PDF format.
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