This Appendix is Commentary and intended to aid with clarification and interpretation of Ordinance Provisions.

Information in this Appendix is provided as a resource to aid developers and project planners/designers in the use of accepted exceptional design methods and best management practices in the preparation of site plans consistent with the requirements as outlined in the ordinance. Material in this section will be updated as new information becomes available.

I. General/Introduction - Exceptional Design Development Mission Statement

II. Optional Design Development Session with County Staff

III. Commercial/Mixed Use Site Plan Preparation

A. Initial Project Site Preparation

i. Clearing and Grading

1. Minimizing site impacts

2. Using existing topography/hydrology

3. See Brunswick County LID Manual - Chapter 2
Brunswick County LID_Guidance_Manual.pdf

B. Structures and Architectural Elements

i. Building Facade - Section XX of the UDO

ii. Cost Saving Programs

1. LEED - http://www.usgbc.org/LEED/

2. Energy Star - http://www.energystar.gov/

C. Stormwater

i. Stormwater Ponds

1. Landscaping and aesthetics

2. Recreational uses - See UDO Section XXX

ii. Low Impact Development (LID)

1. Overview - http://water.epa.gov/polwaste/green/index.cfm

2. Site Assessment/Inventory

3. Design Elements

a. Bioretention/Bioswales

b. Methods for Reductions in Impervious Area

i. Pervious pavement

ii. Alternative/reduced/shared parking layout

iii. Minimize building area footprint

iv. Consider site soil conditions

c. Limit Site Disturbance

i. Clearing and grading

ii. Utilizing existing topography and natural hydrology

4. References

a. Brunswick County LID Manual
http://www.brunsco.net/Portals/0/bcfiles/eng/en_Brunswick_County_LID_Guidance_Manual.pdf

b. NC State University LID Guidebook
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/agecon/WECO/lid/documents/NC_LID_Guidebook.pdf

D. Buffers and Landscaping

i. Buffer widths and opacities

1. UDO Requirements - Reference Buffer Section XXX

2. Riparian and other types of buffers

a. Wildlife Resources recommendations -
http://www.ncwildlife.org/Conserving/Programs/GreenGrowthToolbox.aspx

ii. Heritage Tree Preservation

1. UDO Requirements - Reference Buffer Section XXX

iii. Landscaping

1. UDO Requirements - Reference Landscaping Section XXX

2. Plantings Species List - See Appendix A

E. Circulation

i. Importance of meeting with NCDOT to discuss connections.

ii. NCDOT Division 3 - http://www.ncdot.gov/doh/divisions/?id=3

iii. Efficient internal automobile and pedestrian traffic flow.

F. Parking

i. Alternative parking plans - See UDO Section XXX

ii. Low Impact Design - See LID references

G. Natural Resources Conservation

i. Wetland and Wildlife Conservation Recommendations -
http://www.ncwildlife.org/Portals/0/Conserving/documents/GGT/Manual/Green%20Growth%20ToolboxSection%203.pdf

IV. Residential Use Site Plan Preparation

A. Characteristics of a Great Neighborhood

i. Has a variety of functional attributes that contribute to a resident's day-to-day living (i.e. residential, commercial, or mixed-uses).

ii. Accommodates multi-modal transportation (i.e. pedestrians, bicyclists, drivers).

iii. Has design and architectural features that are visually interesting.

iv. Encourages human contact and social activities.

v. Promotes community involvement and maintains a secure environment.

vi. Promotes environmental sensitivity.

vii. Has a memorable character.

viii. Reference - http://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/pdf/sg_guidelines.pdf

B. Initial Project Site Preparation

i. Clearing and Grading

1. Minimizing site impacts

2. Using existing topography/hydrology

3. See Brunswick County LID Manual - Chapter 2
http://www.brunsco.net/Portals/0/bcfiles/eng/en_Brunswick_County_LID_Guidance_Manual.pdf

C. Structures and Architectural Elements

i. Cost Saving Programs

1. LEED - http://www.usgbc.org/LEED/

2. Energy Star - http://www.energystar.gov/

D. Stormwater

i. Stormwater Ponds

1. Landscaping and aesthetics

2. Recreational uses - See UDO Section XXX

ii. Low Impact Development (LID)

1. Overview - http://water.epa.gov/polwaste/green/index.cfm

2. Site Assessment/Inventory

3. Design Elements

a. Bioretention/Bioswales

b. Methods for Reductions in Impervious Area

i. Pervious pavement

ii. Reduced front setback for shorter driveways

iii. Shared driveways

iv. One sided sidewalks

v. Alternative/reduced/shared parking layout

vi. Cul-de-sac islands

vii. Minimize building area footprint

viii. Redirect rooftop runoff/directional downspouts

ix. Consider site soil conditions

c. Limit Site Disturbance

i. Clearing and grading

ii. Utilizing existing topography and natural hydrology

4. References

a. Brunswick County LID Manual
http://www.brunsco.net/Portals/0/bcfiles/eng/en_Brunswick_County_LID_Guidance_Manual.pdf

b. NC State University LID Guidebook
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/agecon/WECO/lid/documents/NC_LID_Guidebook.pdf

E. Buffers and Landscaping

i. Buffer widths and opacities

1. UDO Requirements - Reference Buffer Section XXX

2. Riparian and other types of buffers

a. Wildlife Resources recommendations -
http://www.ncwildlife.org/Conserving/Programs/GreenGrowthToolbox.aspx

ii. Heritage Tree Preservation

1. UDO Requirements - Reference Buffer Section XXX

iii. Landscaping

1. UDO Requirements - Reference Landscaping Section XXX

2. Plantings Species List - See Appendix A

F. Open Space

i. Recreation Space

1. UDO Requirements - Reference Open Space Section XXX

ii. Preservation of natural resources in open space areas
http://www.ncwildlife.org/Portals/0/Conserving/documents/GGT/Manual/Green%20Growth%20Toolbox Section%203.pdf

iii. Connectivity - Link open space areas

iv. Workforce Housing Credit for increased density - See UDO Section XXX

G. Circulation

i. Project connectivity and internal circulation design - See UDO Section XXX

ii. Connecting to NCDOT roads - driveway permitting

1. NCDOT Division 3 - http://www.ncdot.gov/doh/divisions/?id=3

iii. Street Design

1. Street layout and on-street parking

2. Traffic calming measures - curvilinear street pattern, bulb-outs, etc.

3. References - http://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/pdf/sg_guidelines.pdf

iv. Pedestrian Circulation/Walkable Communities

1. Sidewalks, Trails and Greenways

a. Connect internal open space areas

b. Pedestrian connections to local commercial areas and mixed use developments

c. Safe Routes to Schools Program

d. References -
http://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/pdf/sg_guidelines.pdf
http://saferoutespartnership.org/state/srts-in-your-state/northcarolina

H. Natural Resources Conservation

i. Wetland and environmentally sensitive area protection

ii. Wildlife Protection

iii. References -
http://www.ncwildlife.org/Portals/0/Conserving/documents/GGT/Manual/Green%20Growth%20Toolbox_Section%203.pdf