ETL 1110-3-491
7 May 01
6. Site Development
a. The project site should be develo ped as described in Technical Manual 5-803-14
and within the following guidelines to ensure minimum environmental disturbance: (a)
protect site natural resources, such as water, soil, vegetation, natural amenities, etc., (b)
place infrastructure and buildings on the site (cluster buildings, where possible) to
minimize disturbance, preserve open space and environmentally sensitive areas, and to
make beneficial use of renewable resources (sun, wind, rain, snow, etc.)., and (c)
maximize the use of existing site conditions such as: natural drainage patterns, natural
vegetation and soils, clean air, etc.
b. A complete site survey and soils report should be produced as described in
Technical Manual 5-803-14. Include watersheds, drainage areas, stream corridors,
wetlands, aquifer recharge zones, hundred year flood plains, special vegetative areas,
and a tree survey (include location, genus and species) of all trees sized 15 cm DBH
(diameter breast height) or greater. Identify locations of any special cultural or
archaeological sites. Document all information on site analysis drawings. Test site
radon levels if the region has potential for radon contamination. Develop a plant list to
be used during the design process that identifies acceptable native plants and other
plants that are suitable for use on the site based upon existing climate, soils and
ecology and pest and disease considerations, as described in Technical Manual 5-803-
13, Landscape Design and Planting.
7. Sustainable Design and Construction of the Built Environment
Design and construction of sustainable buildings should be in accordance with the
following concepts:
a. Strategic Facility Planning and Programming--Analysis to determine whether to
renovate or build new, sell existing facilities or lease, consolidate or decentralize, is
critical to ensuring long -term viability, resource conservation and life -cycle cost benefits;
b. Site Work and Planning--Environmentally sensitive planning looks beyond the
boundary of the project site to evaluate linkages to transportation and infrastructure,
ecosystems and wildlife habitat and community identification. Site planning evaluates
solar and wind orientation, local microclimate, drainage patterns, utilities and existing
site features to develop optimal siting and appropriate low maintenance landscape plant
material;
c. Building Layout and Design--Optimize building size, and maintain an appropriate
building scale for the environment and context of the building or a building component.
Layout the rooms of a building for energy performance and comfort, and design for
standard sizes to minimize material waste. Pay careful attention to the location of
exterior windows. Avoid structural over-design and the resultant waste. Design
components of the built environment for durability and ease of adaptation to other uses,
and for waste recycling.
B-6
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