Master Plan October 2011 - Pacific Lutheran University

DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
Proposed Water Quality System
Rain gardens may be used on campus to provide water quality, stormwater infiltration, and
landscaping. These facilities consist of shallow vegetated areas with a specific soil composition
designed to treat stormwater. Stormwater runoff from parking areas will enter the rain garden
from the surface and percolate through the soil media. Stormwater can then infiltrate to the
ground. These systems may be ideal for parking lots where the runoff is dispersed across the
width of the parking area. Rain gardens are aesthetically pleasing and can also be incorporated
into the landscaping.
Other Low Impact Designs
Porous paving will help reduce stormwater runoff and recharge ground water by allowing
rainwater to infiltrate through the paving section to the ground, rather than run off site. Porous
paving systems include concrete, asphalt, and pavers.
Public Rights-of-Way
Historically Pierce County has allowed only catch basins and conveyance pipes within the public
roadways. PLU would like to work with the County to adopt a plan that allows public roads to use
LID strategies. The following diagrams illustrate a range of strategies that could be used in the
rights-of-way.
Site Improvement Examples, see siteplan for Olson Auditorium on the next page
November 2011
1- Expanded parking lot providing 224 stalls (7 of which are ADA and 24 are compact), and rain
gardens to mitigate and treat stormwater runoff
2- Cistern tanks provided under the parking lot to capture roof rainwater to use for landscape
irrigation as well as graywater use for fixture use (i.e. flushing).
3- Redefined hardscape to provide a clearer procession to the main entrance for pedestrians
coming from both the parking lot as well as upper campus. This improved hardscape also
includes a better grand stair, ADA ramp, and podium for a sculpture.
38 Pacific Lutheran University MIMP