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	April 9, 2003 Executive Sims launches new Smart Growth Initiative Low Impact Development/Built Green Ordinance King County Executive Ron Sims today transmitted new Smart Growth legislation promoting both environmental protection and affordable housing. The Low Impact Development/Built Green Ordinance authorizes three experimental development projects featuring innovative stormwater management practices, in combination with affordable, environmentally friendly housing. Low Impact Development (LID) is an ecologically friendly approach to land development, designed to reduce impacts on watersheds and other aquatic resources. LID is based on the premise that nature knows best: rather than collecting and transporting stormwater off site through piping systems, nature - and low impact development - relies on native vegetation, landscaping and small-scale hydrologic controls to capture, treat and infiltrate stormwater. LID also reduces the amount of impervious surface on development sites, thus reducing the amount of runoff actually leaving a site. The demonstration projects authorized in this ordinance also will feature Built Green construction principles, which emphasize recycled materials, energy efficiency, natural habitat protection, and other environmentally friendly construction practices. Executive Sims commented, "The greening of affordable housing encourages an ecologically sound approach to managing the built environment. It also does so in an equitable way, allowing citizens of all income levels to benefit from healthy, high quality affordable housing." Executive Sims' Low Impact Development/Built Green Ordinance authorizes the following three projects: Hope VI Park Lake Homes, located in White Center. This mixed income housing development by King County Housing Authority (KCHA) will provide over 900 units of new single family and multi-family housing units. KCHA Executive Director Stephen Norman notes, "This ordinance allows the Authority the flexibility to develop environmentally friendly alternatives and implement solutions that will provide an ecologically sustainable future for the White Center Park Lake Homes community." Camwest's Shamrock, located east of Renton. This development will create approximately 100 single family housing units. Camwest President Eric Campbell noted, "We look forward to implementing development practices which better utilize clean rainwater as a resource. I am hopeful that practical, cost effective solutions benefiting the environment will be a direct outcome of this demonstration ordinance." Vashon Household's Sunflower development. Located on Vashon Island, this development provides for 14 single family homes. Executive Director, Sam Hendricks, noted, "There is a perception that low-impact, green design is something only the wealthy can afford. The Sunflower development will show that sustainable, environmentally-friendly development is a realistic and economically viable option." For additional information, please contact Paula Adams, Communications Director for the Department of Development and Environmental Services, at 206-296-6682. Updated: April 9, 2003 Executive's home Executive's news Executive's site map | E-mail the Executive King County | Executive | News | Services | Comments | Search Links to external sites do not constitute endorsements by King County. By visiting this and other King County web pages, you expressly agree to be bound by terms and conditions of the site. The details.