SCO Planning, Engineering & Surveying incorporates progressive planning and design practices based on the combined principles of Smart Growth, New Urbanism and Green Building. The following objectives from nationally known organizations such as U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), the Congress for the New Urbanism (CNU), and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) are specifically addressed with our project planning and design:

• Reduce Land Consumption
• Reduce Automobile dependence
• Promote Pedestrian Activity
• Improve Air Quality
• Decrease Polluted Stormwater Runoff
• Conserve Natural Resources
• Reduce Utility Costs
• Reduce Solid Waste
• Enhance Comfort and Health
• Build a Livable, Sustainable Community for People of all Income Levels
• Enhance Asset Value and Profits
• Optimize Lifecycle Economic Performance
• Minimize Strain on Local Infrastructure

Green Design Principles

The purpose of Green (sustainable) Design is to reduce environmental impacts and ensure resources are available for future generations. Using LEED for Neighborhood Development as a guideline, emphasis is placed on the following design and construction elements that bring buildings together into a neighborhood, and relate the neighborhood to its larger region and landscape.

1. Preferred Location – Development area shall be within and near existing communities or public transportation infrastructure. Reduce vehicle trips and miles traveled and support walking as a transportation choice. Reduce multiple environmental harms associated with sprawl. Reduce development pressure beyond the limits of existing development. Conserve natural and financial resources required for construction and maintenance of infrastructure.
2. Proximity to Water and Wastewater Infrastructure – Encourage new development within and near existing communities in order to reduce multiple environmental impacts caused by sprawl. Conserve natural and financial resources required for construction and maintenance of infrastructure.
3. Imperiled Species and Ecological Communities – In coordination with the State Natural Heritage Program, and local wildlife agencies, the following species will be protected. This includes species listed under the federal Endangered Species Act, the state’s endangered species act, or species or ecological communities classified by NatureServe as imperiled, which have been found on the site or have a high likelihood of occurring on the site due to the presence of suitable habitat and nearby occurrences.
4. Imperiled Wetland and Water Body Conservation – Conserve water quality, natural hydrology and habitat and preserve biodiversity through conservation of water bodies or wetlands.
5. Floodplain Avoidance – Promote open space and habitat conservation, and enhance water quality and natural hydrological systems.
6. Steep Slope Protection – Minimize erosion to protect habitat and reduce stress on natural water systems by preserving steep slopes in a natural, vegetated state.
7. Reduce Automobile Dependence – Reduce energy consumption and pollution from motor vehicles by providing opportunities for shorter vehicle trips and/or use of alternative modes of transportation. Promote bicycling and transportation efficiency by linking development to the comprehensive trail system within the Plan Area.
8. Open Community – Designate all streets and sidewalks in the Master Plan area as available for general public use and not gated. Foster community and connectedness beyond the development.
9. Walkable Streets – Provide appealing and comfortable pedestrian street environments in order to promote pedestrian activity. Design and build the project incorporating continuous sidewalks or and trails within the Plan Area.
10. Universal Accessibility – Enable the widest spectrum of people, regardless of age or ability, to more easily participate in their community life by increasing the proportion of areas that are useable by people of diverse abilities.
    • For any residential areas, apply the accessible design provisions of the Fair Housing Amendments Act (FHAA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act to facilities and rights-of-way; and
    • For any non-residential areas, apply the accessible design provisions of the American Disabilities Act (ADA) and Title 24 to facilities and rights-of-way.
11. Reduced Water Use – Minimize water use in buildings and for landscape irrigation to reduce the impact to natural water resources and reduce the burden on local serving utilities for water supply and wastewater systems. Design Guidelines will provide specific landscape design criteria established through the planting of native and naturalized plant materials recommended for use throughout the Plan Area.
12. Minimize Site Disturbance During Construction - Conserve existing natural areas and protect trees to provide habitat and promote biodiversity.
13. Solar Orientation - Achieve enhanced energy efficiency by creating the optimum conditions for the use of passive and active solar strategies.
14. Light Pollution Reduction – Minimize light trespass from site, reduce sky-glow to increase night sky access, improve nighttime visibility through glare reduction, and reduce development impact on nocturnal environments.