This project seeks to establish a new model for planning and development that consciously discourages suburban sprawl and integrates sustainability in all facets of its design. Included are strategies designed to conserve natural resources, establish walking sheds, create well-connected street networks, offer a variety of development intensities, and create a full range of sustainable design techniques. The portion of the Plan that addresses sustainable design includes detailed approaches to a green building techniques, drought-resistant landscape, and infrastructure and storm water management. The storm water management design is one example of the high level of commitment to sustainability. The system captures and directs all possible sources of runoff water to appropriate infiltration sites with natural, on-site filtering mechanisms, or to the major recharge mechanisms of the Cameron Creek and Tulare Irrigation District Canal. The system is based upon the following principles:

1. Establish a sustainable above-ground storm water system: Through use a series of “Best Management Practices” provided in the Plan, groundwater is directed to a wide variety of infiltration mechanisms. This ensures significant recharge of groundwater rather than diversion to paved channels.
2. Utilize limited subsurface system where needed: Differences in terrain, the need for satisfactory street slopes, and other specific conditions can require some limited subsurface water capacity. This capacity should be balanced with natural systems to enable a safe and functional system.
3. Utilize All Possible Means for Collection: The design of streets, gutters, swales, and public and private landscapes and public and private buildings and lots must be coordinated to direct flows within the storm water reuse/recharge system. By utilizing all such elements within the Plan area, water can be successfully retained and recycled.
4. Identify on-site distribution locations: The hydrology plan identifies a variety of potential on-site infiltration spaces in parks, public landscapes and open spaces, storm water ponds, Cameron Creek, and adjacent irrigation canals. Where percolation rates may significantly reduce public open space (i.e. parks), developers may work with the Parks and Recreation Department to balance infiltration needs with public users.
5. Establish coordinated phasing plans: Conventional hydrology systems are typically conceived to channelize and remove nearly all storm water, sending it to a remote location. This alternative strategy requires each phase to retain storm water on-site to the maximum extent possible, allowing infiltration, and allowing infrastructure cost savings. Where capacity exceeds the infiltration capacity, nearby phases can share storm water, or it can be handled with the limited subsurface system.

In support of these strategies, the adjacent diagram of the Northeast Neighborhood notes the location of bio-swales (graded, park-like areas which gather water for infiltration), pervious paving (a special type of hard surface which allows water to pass through to the water table below), filter strips (narrow, landscaped areas within developed urban fabric), rain gardens (landscaped water retention adjacent to buildings which receive rooftop runoff), bio-retention sites (other locations which gather water, such as a natural setting or park), tree wells (the traditional open area or grate below the canopy of a tree) and the relationship of these components to buildings, streets and other urban fabric.