Roanoke Archives | Draper Aden

May 5, 2016

Draper Aden Associates has a long and proud history of serving the New River Valley and Southwestern Virginia. Although our firm has grown to multiple offices in Virginia and North Carolina, we still trace our roots to Blacksburg, Virginia and remain very active in the region where it all began. We were honored that Roanoke Business profiled Draper Aden in its May 2016 issue. Mike Lawless, Vice President and Environmental Division Manager, and Bill Aden, one of the firm’s founders, spoke with the magazine about the firm’s history in the region and how Draper Aden has embraced technology to revolutionize the way we deliver services for our clients. The profile also takes a look at our partnership with the town of Pulaski to build a lasting, positive impact for that community. Read the complete profile here. ...

February 10, 2014

in The Inlet

by Draper Aden Associates

Finding Ways to Save on Stormwater Utility Fees

The intent of new stormwater utility fees being implemented by the City of Roanoke is twofold: New Revenue Source - Stormwater utility fees will provide revenue to fund stormwater improvement projects. These projects are geared to correct past deficiencies (undersized conveyance systems and/or flooding problems) and/or to implement stormwater quality improvement projects throughout the City. These improvements are necessitated by the City’s new municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) permit and the Virginia Stormwater Management Program regulations. Encourage Conservation Projects and Low Impact Development - Homeowners and businesses alike can implement best management practice (BMP) facilities on their property to mitigate the impact that development on their property has on local drainage areas and the entire watershed.. In an interview with Roanoke City engineer Phil Schirmer, he shares some of the ways that property owners can implement strategies to reduce their stormwater footprint and reduce the fee that they will pay to the City under new...

November 19, 2013

in The Inlet

by Draper Aden Associates

Stormwater Utility Approved by Roanoke City Council

Well, it’s now official – the City of Roanoke adopted a stormwater utility. All that remains is adoption of a fee structure and a possible phasing plan for implementation of the fees. The next questions are 1) Will the Council approve the fees as recommended by staff? and 2) Will this move stiimulate surrounding local governments to follow suit? (And how soon?) Read more about the Roanoke City Council’s approval of the stormwater utility ordinance here...

October 25, 2013

in The Inlet

by Draper Aden Associates

Different Approaches to Managing Stormwater in the Roanoke Valley

Stormwater program regulations and requirements are becoming more real and starting to be a burden on local governments’ budgets across the Commonwealth. Localities are seeking alternative sources of funding for their programs. The City of Roanoke and County of Roanoke are both looking into enacting stormwater utility fees to offset the costs of compliance, while the City of Salem is looking at general funds to support their program. Read more about it and watch WLSL -Channel 10 covereage here: http://www.wsls.com/story/23773672/stormwater-fee-on-the-way-for-others-in-valley-localities-weighing-options...

October 14, 2013

in The Inlet

by Draper Aden Associates

Roanoke “Stormwater Footprints” Now Available

On behalf of its residents, the City of Roanoke staff has determined the amount of impervious surface of each parcel within the City in preparations for the proposed stormwater utility fee to be implemented on July 1, 2014. Residents and businesses can now go online to check the City’s calculation of their ‘stormwater footprint’ – impervious area – to prepare for the City's stormwater fee. The City has proposed a fee of $.90 per month per 500 square feet of impervious surface. To see parcel information, please go to http://gisre.roanokeva.gov/ or visit the City's Engineering Department web site:http://www.roanokeva.gov/85256A8D0062AF37/vwContentByKey/N29ALPE9085SSIAEN for additional information regarding current and future stormwater programs....

September 20, 2013

in The Inlet

by Draper Aden Associates

VWEA Presents “Virginia is for BMP Lovers” Program

Please check out The Inlet's Calendar link or visit the Virginia Water Environment Assocaition's web site at http://www.vwea.org/calendar/event/328 to learn out about and register for this upcoming lunch program in Roanoke exploring best management practices and more about maintaining facilities and managing stormwater....

September 12, 2013

in The Inlet

by Draper Aden Associates

What is Your Stormwater Footprint?

Do you really know how big your ‘stormwater footprint’ is? If you don’t know now, you will probably know sometime in the near future – particularly if you live in a community contemplating a stormwater utility fee. The City of Roanoke staff is starting to calculate the impervious surfaces – ‘stormwater footprint’ – for every parcel in the city in preparation for implementing a possible stormwater utility fee. The staff is looking at each property, in great detail, via aerial photographs and boots on the ground, to confirm their calculations are correct. So the next time you are planning the next neighborhood block party, consider investing in a 200 foot tape and create a game around measuring your neighbors ‘stormwater footprint’ – could be fun!...

June 12, 2013

in The Inlet

by Draper Aden Associates

Stormwater in Roanoke Virginia – It’s Big News

Is stormwater really making headlines on the front page of the Sunday newspaper? YES, it is! And it will continue to be a hot topic for debate over the next several years. As a stormwater engineer, it’s really exciting to see this important topic being publicized to the entire community. Localities are searching for options and solutions to fund the necessary stormwater programs to meet the regulatory requirements and implement solutions which will prevent future flooding and pollution of our waterways. Read about the history of stormwater and City of Roanoke and Roanoke County’s plans for their programs and funding. http://www.roanoke.com/news/1937778-12/roanoke-to-consider-storm-water-fee.html http://www.roanoke.com/news/1917898-12/storm-water-a-problem-as-unstoppable-as-rain.html (Oh, by the way, the civil engineer's role is still very important in designing solutions to improve stormwater. As a civil engineer, we are working more closely with architects and planners to plan and develop healthier, greener communities.)...

January 23, 2013

in The Inlet

by Draper Aden Associates

Roanoke City Council Closes in on Stormwater Utility Fee Structure

With July 1, 2014 just around the corner, municipalities are searching for ways to comply with – and pay for – requirements under the new Virginia Stormwater Management Regulations. After tabling discussions a few years ago, the City of Roanoke reintroduced discussions of creating a stormwater utility with a fee Tuesday during their Council meeting. With an equivalent residential unit (ERU) of $3 currently on the table, the stormwater utility is projected to collect about $4.1 million to fund both regulatory compliance and drainage improvement projects. Read more about the City of Roanoke’s proposal here. http://www.roanoke.com/news/roanoke/wb/319351...

July 11, 2011

in The Inlet

by Draper Aden Associates

Stormwater Planning – 2014 is Just Around the Corner?

Stormwater utilities and fees are not a new concept– many areas across the Country have had utilities and fees since the early 1990s – and, with the increase emphasis of stormwater quality, spear headed by the Chesapeake Bay TMDL, and other mandates, municipalities throughout the Commonwealth need to find alternate sources of revenue to support a local or regional stormwater program. It’s time to start planning early – 2014 will be here before we know it. Communities, including the City of Roanoke, see the writing on the walls and are starting the dialogue on how to fund stormwater management requirements and mandates to be handed down as part of the new Virginia Stormwater Management Regulations and/or MS4 permits. There are many options on the table - a stormwater utility fee, appropriation of the general funds and potential tax increases, and cooperative regionalization of stormwater management. Regardless of the funding mechanism, one...

Roanoke Tag

Draper Aden Associates Profiled in Roanoke Business Magazine

Finding Ways to Save on Stormwater Utility Fees

Stormwater Utility Approved by Roanoke City Council

Different Approaches to Managing Stormwater in the Roanoke Valley

Roanoke “Stormwater Footprints” Now Available

VWEA Presents “Virginia is for BMP Lovers” Program

What is Your Stormwater Footprint?

Stormwater in Roanoke Virginia – It’s Big News

Roanoke City Council Closes in on Stormwater Utility Fee Structure

Stormwater Planning – 2014 is Just Around the Corner?