San Marcos Downtown Area Plan

CHAPTER 4: RECOMMENDATIONS

PUBLIC SPACE & AMENITIES SUSTAINABLE PUBLIC SPACES (Recommendation E.3)

· Reduction in Permeable Concrete Pavements Ideal use for light traffic low use roads (alleys), local roads, and pedestrian walkways in urban settings. · Clogging of pervious material · Durability · Sensitivity to chemical exposure or heavy use Pros: Cons: Permeable pavements can provide for stormwater drainage and filtration, rather than direct runoff into the San Marcos River and could be installed where feasible. These options may be most appropriate for pedestrian walkways, alleys, parking lots, and low-traffic roadways. stormwater runoff · Improved water quality Downtown San Marcos has a unique ecosystem with specific challenges. The adjacent San Marcos River necessitates stormwater management to maintain acceptable water quality. This requires that polluted water does not flow through Downtown’s streets and into the river. Despite a dry climate, San Marcos also experiences significant storm events. Low Impact Development (LID) is a stormwater management strategy that works to replicate the predevelopment hydrologic processes and reduce the harmful impacts of urban runoff. LID techniques have been shown to improve water quality, reduce localized flooding and, when incorporated into a project’s design early in the process, reduce overall costs. The use of permable pavements and rain gardens, as recommended below, are two ways we can implement LID in Downtown San Marcos. Additional techniques such as permeable rubber sidewalks, rubber tree wells, silva cells, or additional sustainable stormwater technologies should be implemented and evaluated as they emerge. A management strategy for maintenance of sustainable green infrastructure and pavements should also be created. PERMEABLE PAVEMENTS

· Heat island mitigation · Traffic noise reduction · Reduction in greenhouse gas emissions · drought resistance

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SAN MARCOS DOWNTOWN AREA PLAN