WKU & Habitat for Humanity BG-WC

Durbin Estate Project

A Model Mixed-Income Mixed-Use Green Affordable

Housing Community

Nancy Givens, Principle InvestigatorWestern Kentucky University

Sustainability Programs Development Coordinator

Learning OutcomesAt the end of the session participants will be able to:1.Identify key features of Low Impact Development and Light Imprint techniques as applied to this project2.Describe the key role of partnerships, education, and community/media outreach - and strategies for implementation in each of these areas3.Discuss policy barriers and strategies to effectively impact policy advances4.Explain community-building aspects of the project and their importance to the model being developed

History of Project

2006 – HFH BG-WC purchases 14.6 acre site for future build

2007 – BGGreen Partnership for a Sustainable Community presents concept to Board

2008 – Initial site plan is developed by WKU Geog-Geol class

2009 – 1st grant proposal is submitted; not funded

2010 – Federal 319(h) funding from EPA is awarded by Kentucky Division of Water

2011 – 3-year project begins in January

Objectives

1. Create a statewide demonstration project for integrated green infrastructure and affordable green housing

2. Provide professional training and community education

3. Promote cooperation among agencies, citizens, and government

4. Involve residents and the community to create a shared stewardship of environment

5. seek building policy revisions for KyHFH

Site Plan Features

Up to 50 housing units, some townhouse

Mixed income–mixed use–all ages

Integrated green infrastructure (LID)

Walking trails & shared green space

Perimeter roads w/ on street parking

Native plantings; community gardens

Affordable high performance or passive homes

Community building w/ shared functions

Community-scale renewable energy

Strength of Project = Partners

WKU - Center for Environmental Education & Sustainability (CEES); Planning, Design & Construction; LandscapingWKYU-PBSHabitat for Humanity – local and stateRoundstone Native SeedArnold Consulting and Engineering Services BG Dept. of Public Works & Warren Co. Stormwater Mgmt. Dept.BG Independent SchoolsBluegrass PRIDEBGGreen Partnership for a Sustainable CommunityRiver Basin Coordinator + Team

Ecosystem services have not typically been valued when making land-use decisions. However, efforts to determine the monetary value of ecosystem services have placed that figure at an estimated global average of $33 trillion annually - compared with $18 trillion in global GNP (Nature, 5/97).

As many communities have found, it is difficult, expensive, and sometimes impossible to duplicate these natural services once they are destroyed.

Why Low Impact Development (LID)?

Conventional land management/construction practices contribute to:Soil compaction + sedimentation + soil lossExcess runoff flooding and water pollutionPesticide use and yard chemicals contaminate groundwater and surface waterTraditional landscaping practices can cause nearly 90% of stormwater runoff to be lost so potable water is used for irrigationDisconnection of residents with natureBrings essential importance of ecosystem services to forefront

Improved air and water quality

Lowered urban heat island effects

Increased soil health

Increased evapotranspiration

Increased vegetative cover

Reduced runoff

Increased infiltration

Improved soilconditions

StewardshipReduced vegetative cover

Compaction of soil

Reduced infiltration

Increased runoff

Decreased soil activity

Decreased soil

organic matter

Impaired waterand air quality

Degradation

Effective land management practices can preserve and

restore ecosystems, promote water and

air quality, and contribute to

human and other species well-being

What is Low Impact Development ? Goal: To try to mimic pre-development site hydrology and vegetation using site design techniques that: Store, Infiltrate, Treat, and Evaporate stormwater runoff

Conservation design Sedimentation basin, retention and detention basins Permeable Pavers and Asphalt Underground cisterns, rain barrels, and piping Rain gardens, community gardens, and edible

plantings Native plants; increased vegetation and tree cover Evaporative elements – fountains, water cascades

What is Light Imprint Development (LI)?

Light Imprint (LI) is a planning and development strategy to create compact, walkable, mixed-use neighborhoods that emphasizes: Sustainabilitypedestrian-oriented designincreased environmental and infrastructural efficiencyreduced construction costs

Low, Thomas E. (2010). Light Imprint Handbook: Integrating sustainability and community design, version 1.3, New Urban Press, http://www.lightimprint.org/ Offers a Tool box & Matrix

Economic Benefits of Sustainable Sites

Energy savings

Climate control

Reduced greenhouse gas emissions

Water treatment savings

Air cleansing

Habitat and species preservation

Health Rx

Psychological health and productivity

High Performance Homes“tunneling through the cost barrier”• Increased insulation minimize HVAC system(e.g. Rocky Mountain Institute Factor 10 Engineering)

Cash Flow for Passive House: comparing investments

• Energy Cost Savings of PH (HERS 100 baseline) $101.00/month

• Incremental Cost of Passive House, 25 yr, 0% mortgage, $9,075/(12 x 25 yrs) -$ 30.25/month

• Cash Flow for Habitat Homeowner $ 70.75/month

For Comparison• Annual Return on Investment for Passive House (first year)

$70.75 x(12)/$30.25 x(12) 234.0% APY• Average Interest Rate for savings account 0.4% APY• Value of Paying off credit cards 24.0% max. APY• Value of Paying off Pay Day Lender 780.0% max. APY

• Energy Prices WILL go up. The return only gets better!

Analysis by Ginger Watkins, Sustainable Building Specialist, KY Habitat for Humanity

Green Mountain Habitat, Charlotte, VT

Education & Outreach Habitat for Humanity trainings for affiliate chapters

• Annual Conference• On-site training

WKYU-PBS 30 min. broadcast about project and BMPs for karst enviroments; training DVD

Education and site tours for educators and school groups

Trail signage Professional development trainings w/ City

professionals and local HfH builders Broad dissemination through media and social

networking

Policy Barriers and strategies to impact policy

Close relationships with City planning and zoning officials

Representation on Advisory Council by City and County stormwater management professionals

Presentations to KY HFH annual conference

Presentations to state and local Builders Associations

Strong media focus

Community building aspects and importance

Neighborhood meetings

“Sweat equity” by homebuilders

HFH “it takes a team” ethic

On-street parking; sidewalks; front porches

Educational programming & shared functions

Walking trails, community gardens, green space

Homeowner’s association

6 Defining characteristics of co-housing

1. Participatory process

2. Neighborhood design – clustered homes, shared green space, parking at periphery, intentional design for community

3. Common facilities

4. Resident management

5. Non-hierarchical structure and decision-making

6. No shared community economy!!

From The CoHousing Association of the United States

Livable Communitiesterms

– Walkable/Bikeable Communities– Livable Communities– Cohousing– New Urbanism– Cottage Neighborhoods– Traditional Neighborhood

Design– Transit-oriented Development– Permaculture– EcoVillages

A Few Resources1. A Kentucky resource for Low Impact Development –

Bluegrass PRIDE “Gray to Green site (http://www.gray2greenky.com/). 

2. Sustainable Sites Initiative http://www.sustainablesites.org/why/

3. University of New Hampshire Stormwater Center, 2007 Annual Report http://ciceet.unh.edu/unh_stormwater_report_2007/ SC_Report_2007.pdf

4. North Carolina Low Impact Development Group http://www.bae.ncsu.edu/topic/lid/certification.html

5. The Cohousing Association of the United States http://www.cohousing.org/

6. Cohousing Resource Center http://www.cohousing.org/resource_center