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Site Selection: Goals

Goal 1. Avoid developing inappropriate sites i.e. wetlands, virgin native ecosystems, or restored native ecosystems.

1.1 Do not develop on:

1.1.1 Any habitat restoration area.

▪ SJU prairie/wetland.

▪ SJU oak savannah .

▪ CSB prairie.

1.1.2 Established natural areas.

▪ CSB forest.

▪ Any part of the managed forest of SJU.

▪ Any land that is home to threatened or endangered species.

1.1.3 Any land less than 100 feet from any wetland.[i]

1.2 Buy adjoining land to the campuses if schools need to expand.

1.3 Develop on previously developed land if possible.

1.4 Reconnect fragmented landscapes if possible.

1.5 Minimize alteration and ecological disturbance.

1.6 Location should minimize ecological footprint.

Goal 2. Landscape and decorate site using one of the native ecosystems found on campus (prairie, savannah, hardwoods, wetland).

2.1 Hire landscape architect with a focus in environmental design.

2.2 Xeriscape landscape techniques should be used.

2.2.1 Plant native plants to promote biodiversity through native ecosystems.

2.3 Create or add to native wildlife habitat.

2.3.1 Preference given to restoration of habitat that is most rare and or will benefit the greatest number of species.

2.4 Use existing windbreaks or plant windbreaks to protect buildings.[ii]

▪ Effective zone of protection for a windbreak can be 30 times the height of the trees.

▪ The maximum protection occurs within 5-7 times the tree height.

▪ Foliage density on the windward side should be 60 percent.

▪ Should have 5 – 6 rows of deciduous trees.

▪ If using evergreens, there should be 2 – 3 rows.

▪ Use dense tree and shrub plantings on the west and northwest sides of a building.[iii]

2.5 Evaluate existing plant species at the building site to determine if they can play a role in energy conservation. Find plant and landscape designs that will benefit the most number of species possible.

Goal 3. Conserve and restore nearby natural areas.

3.1 Limit site disturbance including earthwork and the clearing of vegetation.[iv]

3.1.1 Keep site disturbance closer than 40 feet beyond the building perimeter.

3.1.2 Keep site disturbance closer than five feet from primary roadway curbs, walkways, and main utility branch trenches.

3.1.3 Keep site disturbance closer than 25 feet beyond pervious paving areas.

3.1.4 On previously developed sites, restore a minimum of 50 percent of the remaining open area by planting native vegetation.

3.2 Conduct a site survey to identify site elements and create a master development plan that will that will not harm the natural biotic community. Restoration practices should be incorporated into the plan.

Goal 4. Orient building in a manner that will maximize passive solar gain and natural lighting.

4.1 Consult with landscape architect and solar consultant to determine how to implement the following:

4.1.1 Building should receive unobstructed access to the sun from 10:00 A.M. until 3:00 P.M. as many days of the year as possible.

4.1.2 Should not be placed in heavily wooded lots or because of the blockage of the sun during the winter months.

4.1.3 Orient building to the true south (a line running directly from North Pole to South Pole), plus or minus 10 to 20 degrees.[v]

4.1.4 Choose tree placement wisely.

▪ Use deciduous trees to maximize the sun’s blockage of light during the summer months.

▪ A tree that will reach a medium size, such as a spruce tree, should be 15 to 20 feet from the side of the building and 12 to 15 from the corner.[vi]

4.1.5 Build in or near an existing open field or developed area to minimize disturbance.

4.2 Environmental concerns should be included in the master development plan . GIS as well as topographical and sun maps should be used to develop this plan.

Goal 5. Locate in an area that will be conducive for using alternative energy (see Energy)

5.1 Locate source of wind energy (turbine) on higher area of campus.

5.2 Locate in an area of campus that receives maximum sunlight to utilize solar energy.

5.3 Locate in an area that can use a heat pump.

5.4 Use all available resources to identify building sites that can help utilize available alternative energy such as sun and wind.

Goal 6. Reduce unnecessary heat gain from the sun.

6.1 Reduce heat islands through landscaping and exterior design.

6.1.1 Provide shade on at least 50 percent of non-roof impervious surface, which includes parking lots, walkways, and plazas.

6.2 Install a green roof /garden roof for at least 50 percent of the roof area.

6.2.1 Alternative to this is using ENERGY STAR roof-compliant, high-reflectance and high emissive roofing for a minimum of 75 percent of the roof surface.

6.2.2 Research landscape options and implement plans that will provide shade to areas that have potential to add to the heat island effect.

6.3 Place 50 percent of parking underground or use open-grid pavement system for a minimum of half of the intended parking lot area.[vii]

Goal 7. Build in a manner that does not detract from the existing natural scenery.

7.1 Locate building in an area that will not disturb (or may augment) the existing sight lines.

7.2 Consult a landscape architect to determine best way to have building blend in with the surrounding landscape .

7.3 Do not build building higher than native treelines or skylines.

7.4 Do not cut down existing mature trees at or near building site.

7.4.1 Plant more trees around building to break up outline of building.

7.4.2 If building is located in open areas do not build more than one story.

Goal 8. Develop in a way that will not produce further harm from cars.

8.1 Locate building near existing parking and Link transportation.

8.2 If need to construct new parking lots for building, analyze the projected use of the building in accordance with the parking lot.

8.2.1 Build parking lot above existing parking lot so that there is no net loss of undeveloped land.

8.3 Create additional storage for bicycles (bike racks), and provide community bikes.

8.4 Conduct a transportation survey to identify transportation needs of future occupants.

8.5 Consider sharing existing parking and transportation facilities currently in use.

Goal 9. Locate building in a manner that reduces erosion and contamination of other water.

9.1 No net increase in the rate and amount of runoff.

9.1.1 If existing imperviousness is higher than 50 percent, design a plan that makes a 25 percent decrease in amount of runoff.

9.1.2 A treatment should remove 80 percent of the average annual post development total suspended solids (TSS) as well as 40 percent of the average annual post development total phosphorus (TP).[viii]

9.2 Design a stormwater management system that promotes infiltration and utilizes natural runoff systems when applicable. If use of natural systems is not an option, construct a rain garden to minimize negative effects of runoff.

9.3 Limit erosion for water and air quality purposes.

9.4 Use temporary and permanent seeding, mulch, earth dikes, silt fencing, sediment traps and sediment basins.

Goal 10. Locate building where it will be easily accessible by students and community members

10.1 Keep building within the confines of campus.

10.2 Replace an existing structure that is outdated/no longer useful or is the most inefficient/environmentally unfriendly structure on campus.

10.3 Locate building in an area of campus appropriate to its use.