Technical Assistance Projects

Green Infrastructure (GI) includes strategies that manage stormwater, reduce urban heat island effects, improve air quality, and promote economic development and other sustainability goals. In addition, GI projects can help municipalities comply with post-construction requirements, for example through Watershed Plans and fee-in-lieu programs. LIDI worked with the municipalities of Arroyo Grande, Hollister, Morro Bay, Paso Robles, and the City and County of San Luis Obispo to develop twelve GI concept designs. LIDI was supported by Cannon, Urban Rain Design, and CivicSpark, and provided technical assistance to these municipalities to assist them in developing GI concept designs for existing projects on their capital improvement project (CIP) lists. Links to these project summaries are listed below.

• 2nd Street Baywood, Green Street Project

  A green/complete street concept design was developed for two blocks of 2nd Street in Baywood. This area is used frequently by the public for passive and active recreation. Rather than evaluate a full street reconstruction that would be very costly, targeted improvements that leverage the existing landscaped areas and make use of the wide street right-of-way, were examined.

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• Embarcadero Biofiltration Planter, City of Morro Bay

  Currently, runoff from the Surf Street Drainage Management Area (DMA) is routed as surface flow to the west end of Surf Street. Here, the runoff is conveyed by pipe down the slope, where it emerges as surface runoff and enters a drainage inlet near the public restroom. A subsurface pipe then discharges the runoff to the Bay at the outfall.

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• Spring Street Green Light Project, City of Paso Robles

  A green/complete street concept design was developed for Spring Street, a primary arterial street on the west side of the city that roughly parallels Highway. 101. Targeted improvements were evaluated that could integrate stormwater management, improve pedestrian safety and address the jagged nature of the existing curb line.

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• Meadow Park Stormwater Capture and Use, City of San Luis Obispo

  Currently, stormwater runoff from the South Broad Street area and adjacent neighborhoods is routed by pipe to Meadow Park and discharged to Meadow Creek. From Meadow Creek, the water travels mostly by culvert to San Luis Obispo Creek. High stormwater runoff volumes, rates and pollutants are negatively impacting both of these creeks.

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• Cloisters Infiltration Basin, City of Morro Bay

  Currently, stormwater runoff from the residential land use Drainage Management Area (DMA) discharges, untreated, to five outfalls located along Highway 1. Runoff is routed through an existing swale and is then conveyed to a natural wetland. The Green Infrastructure project opportunity includes modification of the existing swale to improve detention, infiltration, and water quality treatment by creating a series of infiltration cells that slow and hold water.

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• Mitchell Park Right- of- Way Improvement Project, City of San Luis Obispo

  The Mitchell Park Bioretention Project will manage stormwater runoff from the surrounding residential neighborhood. Stormwater infrastructure in this area is generally of inadequate capacity resulting in localized flooding. Additionally, runoff flows and pollutants impact the downstream creek habitat and beneficial uses.

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• Boat Wash Biofiltration Project, City of Morro Bay

  Currently, runoff from the boat wash area in Morro Bay is routed via a valley gutter to a storm drain inlet that outfalls to the Bay. The concept design option shows modification of the existing landscape strip adjacent to the inlet into a biofiltration Stormwater Control Measure (SCM).

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• City of Arroyo Grande Green Infrastructure Opportunities

  Currently, stormwater runoff from the downtown core in Arroyo Grande is directed to Arroyo Grande Creek. The Green Infrastructure concept designs show the opportunity to integrate Low Impact Development bioretention and pervious pavement to improve stormwater management and increase urban greening in the downtown area. All Stormwater Control Measures (SCMs) can manage the 85th percentile, 24-hr storm event.

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• Fire Station No. 2 Downspout Reroute, City of San Luis Obispo

  This project design provides capture, treatment, and infiltration of stormwater roof runoff from City of San Luis Obispo Fire Station No. 2. The existing roof downspout discharges runoff directly onto the fire station driveway where runoff migrates beneath the concrete slab driveway causing collection of stormwater. This adversely impacts the structural integrity and function of the driveway.

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