The Town Code requires us to install a hard surface parking lot, curb, gutters and sidewalks. "Grandfathering" as it is known in code world, is lost after two years.
So, the picture to the right is your typical parking lot, and what we are hoping to avoid. Don't get me wrong. It looks very nice. The contractor who installed this lot was VERY competent and did a wonderful job. We just don't think it says "Farmers Market" well.
So, the picture to the right is your typical parking lot, and what we are hoping to avoid. Don't get me wrong. It looks very nice. The contractor who installed this lot was VERY competent and did a wonderful job. We just don't think it says "Farmers Market" well.
After a comment about how permeable paving is not pretty, we discussed how most parking lots are not pretty. Since my (Gerald's) area of expertise is making buildings and sites "pretty", I decided to do a little more research, and ran across this photo, which became inspiration for the Farmers' Market Parking Lot. (A world of difference, huh?)
THIS is what we've come up with!
Our engineers scratched their heads a bit, but said it'll do just fine.
Our engineers scratched their heads a bit, but said it'll do just fine.
The lot will be permeable, which means that the water stay on-site, out of the Town's sewer system, and therefore does not cost those of us in Town a single dime!
The big three pollutants in urban runoff are sediment (dirt and debris), heavy metals (from the brake linings of cars), and hydrocarbons. One source of hydrocarbons is the oil that drips onto pavements from vehicles. But the primary contributor is the asphalt itself. Studies have shown that 90 to 95 percent of the hydrocarbons in urban runoff is from the binder and sealer used for asphalt pavements.
A previous pavement can:
There are economic benefits to us,
as well as to the Town and
those of us who live in Town and pay for water and sewer.
Pervious concrete is a sustainable product that actually saves money. It ends up being less expensive than a conventional parking lot. Among the reasons why:
Lower installation costs: According to the Center for Watershed Protection, installing traditional curbs, gutters, storm drain inlets, piping, and retention basins can cost two to three times more than low-impact strategies for handling water runoff, such as pervious concrete. Projects that use pervious concrete typically don't need storm sewer ties-ins, which eliminates the cost of installing underground piping and storm drains. Grading requirements for the pavement are also reduced because there is no need to slope the parking area to storm drains.
Permits the use of existing sewer systems: Pervious concrete may also reduce the need for municipalities to increase the size of existing storm sewer systems to accommodate new residential and commercial developments. Cities love pervious concrete because it reduces the need to rebuild storm sewer systems when new developments go up.
Increased land utilization: Because a pervious concrete pavement doubles as a stormwater management system, there is no need to purchase additional land for installing large retention ponds and other water-retention and filtering systems. That means developers and property owners can use land more efficiently and maximize the return on their investment.
Lower life-cycle costs: Pervious concrete is a sustainable paving material, with a life expectancy equal to that of regular concrete. Most parking areas, when properly constructed, will last 20 to 40 years, according to the Southern California Ready Mixed Concrete Association.
So... Please consider pledging to our KickStarter Project, so we can get a new parking lot and open our doors this Spring!
*Facts taken from www.concretenetwork.com
The big three pollutants in urban runoff are sediment (dirt and debris), heavy metals (from the brake linings of cars), and hydrocarbons. One source of hydrocarbons is the oil that drips onto pavements from vehicles. But the primary contributor is the asphalt itself. Studies have shown that 90 to 95 percent of the hydrocarbons in urban runoff is from the binder and sealer used for asphalt pavements.
A previous pavement can:
- Reduce the amount of untreated runoff discharging into storm sewers.
- Directly recharge groundwater to maintain aquifer levels.
- Channel more water to tree roots and landscaping, so there is less need for irrigation.
- Mitigate pollutants that can contaminate watersheds and harm sensitive ecosystems.
- Eliminate hydrocarbon pollution from asphalt pavements and sealers.
There are economic benefits to us,
as well as to the Town and
those of us who live in Town and pay for water and sewer.
Pervious concrete is a sustainable product that actually saves money. It ends up being less expensive than a conventional parking lot. Among the reasons why:
Lower installation costs: According to the Center for Watershed Protection, installing traditional curbs, gutters, storm drain inlets, piping, and retention basins can cost two to three times more than low-impact strategies for handling water runoff, such as pervious concrete. Projects that use pervious concrete typically don't need storm sewer ties-ins, which eliminates the cost of installing underground piping and storm drains. Grading requirements for the pavement are also reduced because there is no need to slope the parking area to storm drains.
Permits the use of existing sewer systems: Pervious concrete may also reduce the need for municipalities to increase the size of existing storm sewer systems to accommodate new residential and commercial developments. Cities love pervious concrete because it reduces the need to rebuild storm sewer systems when new developments go up.
Increased land utilization: Because a pervious concrete pavement doubles as a stormwater management system, there is no need to purchase additional land for installing large retention ponds and other water-retention and filtering systems. That means developers and property owners can use land more efficiently and maximize the return on their investment.
Lower life-cycle costs: Pervious concrete is a sustainable paving material, with a life expectancy equal to that of regular concrete. Most parking areas, when properly constructed, will last 20 to 40 years, according to the Southern California Ready Mixed Concrete Association.
So... Please consider pledging to our KickStarter Project, so we can get a new parking lot and open our doors this Spring!
*Facts taken from www.concretenetwork.com
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