It might seem to be a boring item to some, but it could lead to creative ways to construct future parking lots and other surfaces in Fayetteville.

The City Council on April 3 approved ordinance amendments that would allow pervious paver systems and provide for a credit for surface calculations for contractors that use them. The vote came at the recommendation of City Engineer Don Easterbrook.

Pervious pavers are those with openings that allow some portion of stormwater to leach through them rather than having the entire volume of stormwater being diverted to storm drains and retention ponds, as is the case with asphalt and concrete.

Large impervious surfaces of concrete or asphalt bolster the need for stormwater retention ponds on developed property.

Council members March 20 heard the first reading of the two proposed ordinance changes. During a discussion, Mayor Ken Steele reiterated the suggestion of Easterbrook that the city tread softly and give thorough consideration to the idea.

During his presentation April 3, Easterbrook said the use of pervious pavers is recognized by the state and that Fayetteville has periodic requests by developers to use them. Easterbrook noted the Georgia Stormwater Management Manual recommendation that pervious paver systems be 65 percent pervious and 35 percent impervious. Easterbrook recommended, and the council agreed, that the city consider a surface calculation of 50 percent pervious.

“The reason is that maintenance of these systems is required to minimize plugging with silt,” Easterbrook said. “The more pervious pavers get silted in, the less pervious they become. Until we are satisfied that ongoing maintenance is provided with minimal city staff oversight, we do not recommend a higher credit value.”

Also at the meeting, council members agreed to accept several streets in the Villages at Lafayette Park residential development off Ga. Highway 54. The work was completed four years ago and has been maintained by current owner RBC Bank in North Carolina, Easterbrook said.

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