Development Projects
This page provides information and resources intended for development project applicants, architects, engineers, contractors, planners, landscape architects, municipal staff and the general public. There are many things you can do to prevent pollutants from entering the gutter or street and reduce the flow into our storm drains that carry stormwater away.
The Post Construction Requirements and Low Impact Development Resources include things you can incorporate into all construction activities as well as regulations designed to prevent water pollution. Adopting these practices will protect water quality for our neighborhoods and our waterways. If you have questions, we are here to help!
Storm Water Master Plan
Stormwater Standard Plans (SWSP)
The Stormwater Standard Plans (SWSP) were prepared by the Salinas Permit Center Community and Economic Development Department, Engineering Services Section, based on the Low Impact Development Initiative (LIDI) Standard Details, City of Portland, Oregon Stormwater Management Manual Typical Details and City of Salinas Permit Center Engineering Section produced details. They are to be used in conjunction with the latest edition of the City of Salinas Stormwater Development Standards (SWDS) and the latest edition of the City of Salinas Standard Specifications, Design Standards and Standard Plans. Designers shall consult with the project (record) geotechnical and civil engineer for review and use of these Standard Plans, clearances to structures, need for/extent of liners, subdrains, storm drain connections and similar appurtenances. Users shall also take care to isolate utility and pipe backfill from infiltration from Post Construction Best Management Practices so the filtered stormwater does not follow trenches (i.e. sand and/or aggregate backfill) into utility and/or other structures. Regardless of site infiltration rate, all projects will be required to filter storm water on site using biofiltration methods (Post-Construction Best Management Practices or PCBMPs) with infiltration through underlying soils being the preferred method. Every effort shall be made, to the Maximum Extent Practicable (MEP), to infiltrate stormwater on site unless alternative means are approved in accordance with the City’s NPDES Permit requirements. PDFs of signed SWSPs should be used for plan submittal.
Stormwater Standard Plans (SWSP)
http://www.ci.salinas.ca.us/services/engineering/pdf/FinalExecutedSWSPs.pdf
Standard Specifications, Design Standards and Standard Plans
http://www.ci.salinas.ca.us/services/engineering/pdf/2008CityStandards.pdf
Stormwater Development Standards (SWDS)
The purpose of the Stormwater Development Standards (SWDS) are to assist project applicants for new and redevelopment projects in complying with stormwater management requirements set forth by both the City of Salinas and the Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board. New and redeveloped projects are required to implement Low Impact Development (LID) principles.
This document contains both stormwater design requirements and LID design guidance. LID features are intended to minimize the impacts of stormwater to receiving waters and to promote healthy watersheds. LID features are designed to capture and treat stormwater from relatively frequent rainfall events and are designed to promote infiltration where feasible.
Stormwater Development Standards (SWDS) for New and Redevelopment Projects
http://www.ci.salinas.ca.us/services/engineering/pdf/20131203_SWDSUpdate.pdf
Post Construction Requirements
All land development projects, from minor home additions and yard flatwork to major subdivisions are required to meet requirements in the City’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES-Stormwater) Permit and related regulations such as the Post-Construction Stormwater Management Requirements for Development Projects in the Central Coast Region.
The purpose of the City’s Land Development Program is to eliminate pollutants into the City’s stormwater. Planning and constructing your project in compliance will result in cleaner stormwater by mimicking nature’s processes that were in existence prior to the impacts of man.
Post-Construction Stormwater Management Requirements for Development Projects
http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/centralcoast/water_issues/programs/stormwater/docs/lid/post_construction_requirements_adopted.pdf
Low Impact Development (LID)
The Central Coast Low Impact Development Initiative (LIDI) supports the vision of healthy watersheds through the implementation of LID design principles, hydromodification controls, and sustainable development throughout the Central Coast Region.
In 2008, the Central Coast Water Board established a Low Impact Development Endowment Fund (LID fund) with the Bay Foundation of Morro Bay. This fund provides support for the LIDI, which operates in partnership with the UC Davis Extension, Land Use and Natural Resources Program. LIDI services focus on the planning, design, and implementation of LID projects and programs. This includes regional training, regulatory compliance, site specific project designs, and large scale, long-term community level planning.
Central Coast Low Impact Development Initiative (LIDI)
http://www.centralcoastlidi.org/
Bioretention Landscape
The selection of appropriate plants for bioretention and other vegetated stormwater facilities is crucial to a successful design. California plant palettes need to be drought-tolerant, appropriate for the regional climate, aesthetically-pleasing, and support stormwater function. LIDI has created several bioretention plant design resource documents for California. While primarily focused on the Central Coast region, the plant design approaches and many of the actual plant types are appropriate throughout California.
Bioretention Plant List - this list includes plants that are appropriate for the functional portion of the bioretention area (i.e., the area that ponds) and includes information on plant light preferences, climate zones, and drought-tolerance.
LID Plant Guidance for Bioretention - this document provides guidance for plant selection, planting, and establishment and maintenance.
Bioretention Plant Palette Guidebook - this document includes guidance for choosing bioretention plant palettes appropriate to different land uses such as commercial, residential, and rural applications. Plant palettes examples are provided.
Clarifying a Common Misunderstanding Regarding Bioretention Plant Selection
In selecting plants for bioretention or other vegetated stormwater management facilities, it’s important to distinguish between those plants that will be located in the functional zone of the facility (Zone A) versus those areas within the bioretention area that do not see greater than average precipitation and associated soil saturation (Zone B).
The photos below show two examples of bioretention facilities. It's tempting to think that all the plants within the facility are “bioretention plants.” However, in general, only the center areas represent the stormwater functional zone and plants in this zone must be able to tolerate periodic inundation and ponding. Typically, plants around the outer edge do not experience ponding or inundation and plants selected for this outer zone can come from a much broader, more typical planting palette appropriate for the climate and application.
Trees in Bioretention Areas
Trees are an important feature in a community and provide multiple benefits, including stormwater management. The LIDI bioretention plant list does not include trees. Why?Because there remains uncertainty as to which tree species are appropriate for placement in bioretention areas. For example, some trees will survive being planted where stormwater ponding occurs, others tolerate a side-slope location, but some trees may not survive/thrive in either. Additionally, careful consideration must be made to meet local municipal requirements for tree and parking lot trees, and selection must avoid species that generate excessive leaf litter that could cover the surface of the bioretention area and reduce infiltration or clog overflows.Comprehensive designs that integrate trees and stormwater function can be done - see some examples below of ways to integrate both trees and stormwater management function.
Example of tree placement that alternates between the bioretention areas.
Example of design that further separates bioretention from tree planters.
Information on this webpage was adopted with permission from Central Coast Low Impact Development Initiative.
