Five members of KCA’s board of directors attended a small town smart growth and green streets informational open house on May 7 sponsored by Maui county’s departments of Planning and Public Works and by Maui’s Nutritional and Physical Activity Coalition (NPAC).

“Green Streets” is the promotion of street landscape techniques to manage watersheds and water runoff from streets and roads while providing shade and roadway softening and enhancement, making these areas (typically constituting 20 – 30% of a community’s land area) more attractive while reducing flooding that can damage nearby coastal waters and reefs.  In  essence, streets can be redefined as part of a watershed and considered valuable public open space if planned, designed and installed according to green street principles.  Studies show that well landscaped streets increase local property values in the range of 3-15% and increased consumer spending in commercial areas.

The county will be examining ways to amend existing county codes to promote smart growth and green street development.  Those interested in learning more are encouraged to visit epa.gov/smartgrowth on the web.

KCA thanks and compliments the county for making this information available to community members.