Better Site Design Resources

Here you will find alternatives to conventional development. Like Low-Impact Development, Environmentally-sensitive design, and Green Infrastructure, the Better Site Design techniques seek to minimize the negative impacts of new development on water resources. Here you will find resources related to BSD techniques, development code recommendations, and local incentives to adopt BSD. Recent materials related to the design of redevelopment and infill sites are also available.

Center Guidebooks

Better Site Design: A Handbook for Changing Development Rules in Your Community
Authors: Center for Watershed Protection Released: 1998
Cost: $35 Add to Cart
Download for Free: Part 1 Part 2

Covering everything from basic engineering principles to actual vs. perceived barriers to implementing better site designs, the handbook outlines 22 guidelines for better developments and provides detailed rationale for each principle. Better Site Design also examines current practices in local communities, details the economic and environmental benefits of better site designs, and presents case studies from across the country. Includes a sample Codes & Ordinances Worksheet.

Approaches to Better Site Design CD
Authors: Center for Watershed Protection Released: 1999
Cost: $25 Add to Cart

This graphics- and photo-intensive slideshow presentation provides an introduction to the 22 model land development principles. The presentations include extensive speaker's notes and can be used as-is, or as a resource. PC/Mac compatible. PowerPoint a requirement for running on Mac OS.

The Do-It-Yourself Local Site Planning Roundtable CD
Cost: $25 Add to Cart
Authors: Center for Watershed Protection Released: 2004 rev.

Resources to start a local site planning roundtable in your community. The CD contains extensive documentation of the benefits of Better Site Design, information to guide workshop participants through a site planning exercise, complete slideshow presentations, electronic copies of all the agendas, invitation letters, and other correspondence needed to get the roundtable process started. Use the presentation and correspondence as-is, or edit to reflect local issues. Files on the CD are in Adobe .PDF, Word and PowerPoint format.

Consensus Agreement on Model Development Principles to Protect Our Streams, Lakes, and Wetlands
Authors: Center for Watershed Protection Released: 1998

This companion to Better Site Design outlines the series of 22 nationally endorsed principles developed by the Site Planning Roundtable, a national cross-section of diverse planning, environmental, home builder, fire, safety, public works, and local government personnel, and details basic rationale for their implementation.

Redevelopment Roundtable Consensus Agreement: Smart Site Practices for Redevelopment and Infill Projects
Authors: Center for Watershed Protection Released: 2001

This publication documents the Center's Redevelopment Roundtable Project and outlines the resulting model development principles, which are designed to promote more environmentally-friendly redevelopment and infill projects.

Site Planning for Urban Stream Protection (Book for sale on MWCOG site)
Authors: T. Schueler/ MWCOG Released: 1995

Presents a watershed approach to site planning, examining ways to reduce pollutant loads and protect aquatic resources through non-structural practices and improved construction site planning. Provides insight into watershed-based zoning, the concentration of development, headwater streets, stream buffers, green parking lots, and other land planning topics.

Better Site Design: An Assessment of the Better Site Design Principles for Communities Implementing Virginia’s Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act
Authors: K. Brown, R. Claytor, H. Holland, H. Kwon, R. Winer, J. Zielinski Released: 2007 rev.

The Economic Benefits of Protecting Virginia's Streams, Lakes, and Wetlands and The Economic Benefits of Better Site Design in Virginia
Authors: Center for Watershed Protection Released: 2001

Local Site Planning Roundtable Documents

Recommended Development Principles for Richland County, South Carolina: Consensus of the Site Planning Roundtable
Authors: Richland County, SC, Center for Watershed Protection, Inc.
Released: 2009

Reflects a year-long better site design roundtable process facilitated by the Center in Richland County, SC. It explains how the County was able to adapt the 22 better site design principles to further enhance the quality of life, economic growth, and protection of vital resources. The document was adopted by the County Council.

Recommended Model Development Principles for Carroll County, Maryland: Consensus of the Builders for the Bay Site Planning Roundtable
Authors: Carroll County, MD, Center for Watershed Protection, Home Builders Association of Maryland, Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay Released: 2009

Reflects a year-long better site design local roundtable process facilitated by the Center in Carroll County, MD. It explains how the County was able to adapt the 22 better site design principles to further enhance the quality of life, economic growth, and protection of vital resources. The document was presented and adopted by the County Commissioners.

Recommended Model Development Principles for Baltimore County, Maryland: Consensus of the Builders for the Bay Site Planning Roundtable
Authors: Baltimore County , MD, Center for Watershed Protection, Home Builders Association of Maryland, Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay Released: 2006

Reflects a year-long better site design local roundtable process facilitated by the Center in Baltimore County, MD. It explains how each community was able to adapt the 22 better site design principles for their area's environmentally-sensitive development future.

Recommended Model Development Principles for Blair County, Pennsylvania: Consensus of the Local Site Planning Roundtable
Authors: Center for Watershed Protection, Blair County Builders Association, Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay Released: 2006

Reflects a year-long better site design local roundtable process facilitated by the Center in the Blair County, PA. It explains how each community was able to adapt the 22 better site design principles for their area's environmentally-sensitive development future.

Recommended Model Development Principles for James City County, Virginia: Consensus of the Local Site Planning Roundtable
Authors: Center for Watershed Protection, Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, Peninsula Housing and Builders Association, James City County Released: 2004

The product of a year-long better site design local roundtable process facilitated by the Center in James City County, Virginia. Documents the roundtable process and contains the recommendations presented by the local roundtable members to the James City County Commissioners in November 2004.

Recommended Model Development Principles for East Hempfield, West Hempfield and Manor Townships, and Lancaster County, Pennsylvania: Consensus of the Local Site Planning Roundtable
Authors: Center for Watershed Protection, Building Industry Association of Lancaster County, Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay Released: 2004

Reflects a year-long better site design local roundtable process facilitated by the Center in the Lancaster Area, PA. It explains how each community was able to adapt the 22 better site design principles for their area's environmentally-sensitive development future.

Recommended Model Development Principles for Lower Paxton Township and Susquehanna Township: Paxton Creek Watershed: Consensus of the Local Site Planning Roundtable
Authors: Center for Watershed Protection, Home Builders Association of Metropolitan Harrisburg, Pennsylvania Builders Association Released: 2003

This consensus document reflects a year-long better site design local roundtable process facilitated by the Center in the area of Paxton Creek in PA. It explains how each community was able to adapt the 22 better site design principles for their area's environmentally-sensitive development future.

Recommended Model Development Principles for Harford County, MD: A Consensus of the Local Site Planning Roundtable
Authors: Center for Watershed Protection, Home Builders Association of Maryland, Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay Released: 2003

The product of a year-long better site design local roundtable process facilitated by the Center in Harford County, MD. It explains how each community was able to adapt the 22 better site design principles for their area's environmentally-sensitive development future.

Model Development Principles for the Central Rappahannock: A Consensus of the Central Rappahannock Roundtable
Authors: Center for Watershed Protection, Friends of the Rappahannock Released: 2001

Reflects a ten-month better site design local roundtable process facilitated by the Center in Central Rappahannock, VA. It explains how each community was able to adapt the 22 better site design principles for their area's environmentally-sensitive development future.

Recommended Model Development Principles for Cecil County, MD: A Consensus of the Cecil County Site Planning Roundtable
Authors: Center for Watershed Protection Released: 2001

Reflects a year-long better site design local roundtable process facilitated by the Center in the Cecil County, MD. It explains how each community was able to adapt the 22 better site design principles for their area's environmentally-sensitive development future.

Recommended Model Development Principles for Frederick County, MD
Authors: Center for Watershed Protection Released: 1999

The product of a year-long better site design local roundtable process facilitated by the Center in Frederick County, Maryland. Documents the roundtable process and contains the recommendations presented by the local roundtable members to the Frederick County Commissioners in February 2000.

The Practice of Watershed Protection Articles

Below are articles from The Practice of Watershed Protection that pertain specifically to this topic. To purchase the hardbound book or CD of these articles, please visit our store. For citing these articles, add the article author and title to the following: The Practice of Watershed Protection. 2000. T. Schueler and H. Holland, eds. Center for Watershed Protection. Ellicott City, MD. Authors of each individual article can be found underneath the title in the file.

45. An Introduction to Better Site Design
46. The Benefits of Better Site Design in Residential Subdivisions
47. The Benefits of Better Site Design in Commercial Development
48. Changing Development Rules in Your Community
49. The Economics of Urban Sprawl
50. Skinny Streets and One-Sided Sidewalks: A Strategy for Not Paving Paradise
51. Use of Open Space Design to Protect Watersheds

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