Parking is essential for economic growth and business success. Almost every development in Montgomery County includes a parking lot. They play a major role in how our communities look and the quality of the environment. Unfortunately, parking lots can pollute stormwater runoff and increase local flooding. They can pose safety issues for pedestrians and can aggravate the urban heat island effect. For something that occupies such a vast amount of land, causes various impacts, and is used on a daily basis by so many people, the surface parking lot should receive more attention than it has. Parking lots can be retrofitted or built more sustainably. Using innovative site design, including best practices in stormwater management, consideration for community character, and safer pedestrian connections, we can transform our parking lots and reduce impacts. By incorporating green and sustainable practices, over time these improvements could have a significant positive impact on the county’s communities.
