Planning commissioner Abbey Abbey said at last Tuesday’s meeting she wished the city could offer money back to residents who employed smart water management, such as rain barrels, because she believed in the idea of Low Impact Development (LID). She said there are plans and programs Eureka Springs could borrow from other municipalities that would not be prohibitively expensive.
Commissioner Tom Buford pointed out not everyone knows about water management strategies being used today, and commissioner Woodie Acord said Planning could recommend aspects of LID when they consider applications for new construction. Economic Development Coordinator Glenna Booth responded the city would have a stronger stance if LID guidelines were included in Code. One example would be permeable pavement.
Booth said one place to start would be to fortify the landscaping requirements for parking lots in Code. She suggested they solicit input from the Springs Committee, and committed to setting up a workshop.