07
Sustainability & Community Infrastructure
Urbanized communities that were historically developed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries experience specific challenges to community infrastructure and natural features. Thinking about natural features such as street trees and green space as part of the community’s infrastructure can help create a holistic approach to maintaining the community in the face of changing environmental conditions.This section outlines the current conditions of the City’s transportation system, highlighting areas that may need enhancements to safely and efficiently serve all types of travelers, including pedestrians, cyclists, transit users, and drivers.
Recommendations
Given the robust nature of the City’s current sustainability measures, the recommendations focus on incremental improvements. To help alleviate pressures on the stormwater management system the City could consider amending the zoning ordinance to establish maximum allowable impervious surface coverage for residential and commercial properties, considering surfaces like driveways, patios, and parking lots. This could also encourage the use of permeable materials, such as permeable pavers and green roofs, to reduce the volume of runoff entering the combined sewer system. Additionally, the promotion of residential rain gardens and rain barrels could be performed by partnering with the Pleasant Ridge Garden Club. Rain garden pilots could also incorporate native species and plants that promote pollinators. To further support the tree canopy the City could consider extending the City's approved canopy tree list to private properties, offering resources or minor incentives for homeowners who select from the recommended species, further supporting uniform, resilient urban canopy across throughout all properties.
