SUSTAINABLE MASTER PLANNED COMMUNITIES

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Throughout the world, people want the same things: access to clean air and water; economic opportunities; a safe and healthy place to raise their kids; shelter; lifelong learning; a sense of community; and the ability to have a say in the decisions that affect their lives.

A sustainable community takes into account, and addresses, multiple human needs, not just one at the exclusion of all others. It is a place where people of diverse backgrounds and perspectives feel welcome and safe, where every group has a seat at the decision-making table, and where prosperity is shared.  

It takes a long-term perspective – focusing on anticipating and adapting to change in both the present and future.

A sustainable community manages its human, natural, and financial capital to meet current needs while ensuring that adequate resources are available for future generations.  

ECOLOGICAL INTEGRITY

Satisfaction of basic human needs for clean air and water and nutritious, uncontaminated food.

Protection and enhancement of local and regional ecosystems and biological diversity.

Conservation of water, land, energy, and nonrenewable resources, including maximum feasible reduction, recovery, and reuse and recycling of waste. 

Utilization of prevention strategies and appropriate technology to minimize pollution emissions.

Use of renewable resources no faster than their rate of renewal.  

Project Siting and Intelligent Land Use 

Lyon Master Planned Communities will be designed as a compact, pedestrian friendly, mixed-use development that is sensitive to the existing communities and environmental conditions. Based on surveys of adjacent neighborhoods and studies of existing biodiversity, the project will be developed in order to minimize impact on existing land and create opportunities for connection with established neighborhoods and institutions. The natural landscape, especially wetlands and other areas important to the existing ecosystems, will be restored, preserved, and used to establish meaningful limits on development sites. Properly scaled and carefully designed streetscapes will foster a pedestrian friendly environment, minimizing automobile usage and deleterious environmental effects.  

Improving Site Resource Management  

Development of the Conceptual Master Plan will focus on the conservation of potable water and the careful management of stormwater runoff. Requirements for the use of native and adapted plantings (needing little or no irrigation), efficient appliances, and low-flow plumbing fixtures throughout the development will be utilized to reduce potable water consumption. Site-wide, EPA-approved grey water recapture, stormwater management practices and limitations on the development area will be used to reduce the development’s stormwater impacts on the area’s water resources. Individual projects will be required to mitigate potential soil erosion and sedimentation through plans to reduce stormwater runoff during the construction process.  

Conserving Materials and Resources in the Construction Process by building in a factory setting Designs that utilize materials containing recycled content will be required for all building projects. Construction waste and building occupant waste will be reduced buy the fact that all work will be done in a factory, and every thought process will be used to keep waste to less than 5% through development of Construction Waste Management Plans and designated Building Recycling Areas for all waste. The use of some locally manufactured products will be required to minimize energy consumption related to delivery while supporting the local economy. 

Buildings will be required to include energy efficiency measures (EEMs) to reduce their total energy consumption. Commissioning of building systems will be required to ensure that EEMs have been designed and installed correctly and are operating at targeted levels of efficiency. 

Sustainable Developments 

Erosion and Sedimentation Control 

Reduced Site Disturbance 

Use natural, planted slopes instead of retaining walls 

Phase construction to minimize disturbed areas 

Minimize equipment noise and emissions/Use low-sulfur vehicles Use environmentally considered maintenance practices 

Identify limits of the building area via building footprint zones 

Efficient Irrigation and Native/Adapted Site Landscaping and Vegetation 

Potable water for irrigation from re-use of grey water 

Native plants used that require no irrigation 

Reduction, Collection and Treatment of Stormwater Runoff 

Heat Island Reduction 

Flat roof, light colored membrane/pavers, vegetated roof system 

Trees/plantings to shade 30% of pavement Asphalt with light-colored aggregates Asphalt with white binder Light-colored concrete, using light-colored aggregates and/or light-colored Portland cement 

Night Sky Pollution Control 

Exterior light fixtures (>3,500 lumens): full cutoff Exterior light fixtures (>1,000 lumens): shielded 

No up lighting allowed 

Exterior lighting limited only to areas where required 

Water Use and Management – Grey Water Collection - Landscaping 

20% Water Use Reduction 

Low-flow faucet aerators (0.5 - 1.5 GPM) Spring-loaded (metered) lavatories  

Low-flow aerators at showerheads (2.0 GPM or less) Low-flow toilets (1.4 GPF or less) 

Dual-flush toilets 

Indigenous or adapted plants for at least 50% of planted areas 

Micro-irrigation systems 

Greywater & Rainwater collected and used for irrigation and water features 

Energy Conservation 

Led Fixtures 

Solar Systems 

Air-Tight construction 

Low use HVAC Systems 

Green Materials 

Recycling of all materials 

Construction Waste Management 

10% Post-Consumed and Pre-Consumed RC Materials. 

30% Locally Manufactured Materials brought in via Railroad manufactured/assembled within 500 miles from facility.