Combined Sewer Overflow Angst - There'll be none of that at The Highlands

This ... Or this?

Sometimes we have a choice. (storm drain photo from Sightline Daily)

While not very appealing to read, this article about the issues the city of Seattle is dealing with regarding storm water graphically illustrates one of the main reasons The Highlands was developed using Low Impact Development methods.

The same amount of rain falls on the ground at The Highlands as any other property in the Langley area. But in this neighborhood that water soaks into the ground, either naturally due to large areas of native forest, or by way of the rain gardens that receive run off from the roofs of the homes.

Last May The City of Langley passed a storm water plan. The retrofits to city systems are going to be expensive. Because The Highlands was originally built using methods that effectively deal with storm water on site, the city won't have to include the neighborhood in the project.

Here's a video of a newly installed rain garden at one of the cottages in Snowberry Close.

The Highlands stars in an EPA video about Low Impact Development

On September 24th Rick Almberg, Construction Manager for The Highlands, and Stacy Smith of the Whidbey Conservation District were interviewed at The Highlands about Low Impact Development methods used on the project. The film will debut at a conference to be held in early 2009.

Rick Almberg discusses LID aspects of The Highlands with the film crew

Storm water specialist Stacy Smith shows the videographer key points of
The Highlands storm water management system.

The Highlands "Open Neighborhood" Event

September 16, 2007 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM

Though there are no houses to show off yet, the Highlands Low Impact Development (LID) infrastructure is in place. Come take a look at the network of rain gardens and carefully sloped streets that are the base of the water management system in an LID project.

This informal introduction to the Highlands will feature self guided tours of the site, snacks from local farms and a short presentation of Low Impact Development techniques. Staff will be on hand to give guided tours and answer questions about the neighborhood and LID.

The event begins at 1:00 PM with a selection of organic fruit, home-baked cookies and bread, fresh pressed apple cider and locally roasted fair-trade coffee.

The Low Impact Development presentation begins at 2:00 PM.

Arriving and Parking

The Highlands is located at 903 Al Anderson Ave. This is a quiet, residential road and there is very little parking. Non-motorized modes of transportation are encouraged.