Sustainable Infrastructure
Sustainable Infrastructure
Sustainable Infrastructure
Sustainable Infrastructure includes the physical components that enable a community to function, including utilities, roadways, transit, waterways, and tree cover. These support the movement of people and goods on a day-to-day basis.
The policies examine opportunities for the County to keep these systems strong, reliable, and affordable.
All Sustainable Infrastructure Recommendations
Each card below is one recommendation. The icons on each card represents what policy buckets, key issues, and topic areas are addressed by the recommendation. The more icons there are, the more transformative a recommendation is. While every recommendation brings St. Louis County closer to our vision, cards with a purple background are identified as the most transformative recommendations.
Legend
Inclusive Economies
Complete Communities
Sustainable Infrastructure
Responsible Growth
Leading the Region
Population Stagnation
Jobs-Skills Mismatch
Housing Diversity & Affordability
Infrastructure Cost-burden
Social & Environmental Resilience
Economic Development
Housing
Land Use & Development
Open Space & Environment
Transportation & Infrastructure
Recommendation SI.1
Launch community-scale reforestation and wetlands restoration initiatives including tree canopies projects and water quality improvements on County-owned properties.
Recommendation SI.2
Collaborate on projects that enhance stormwater management systems, protect water quality, preserve critical natural areas, mitigate flood risks, and improve the collection and treatment of sanitary sewage while actively supporting regional planning initiatives to enhance sanitary sewer services throughout the area.
Recommendation SI.3
Require updated design guidelines to increase the supply of more energy efficiency homes and ensure lower household utility costs long term.
Recommendation SI.4
Develop a Rain + Heat Ready Infrastructure Plan to increase resilience by improving stormwater management and mitigating the anticipated increased of Heat Island Impact through green infrastructure and sustainable design.
Recommendation SI.5
Partner with cities to provide resources and support for subdivision trustees to update indenture rules to be more consistent and effective in protecting the unique character of the subdivisions while permitting their natural evolution.
Recommendation SI.6
Building on the County's Complete Streets Ordinance, develop context-sensitive boulevard design and a complete street typology to increase multi-modal transportation options, walkability, bikeability, green infrastructure and landscape in order to strengthen the street functionality, economic vitality and the aesthetic quality and sense of identity of the community.
Recommendation SI.7
Foster neighborhoods that enable healthy and active lifestyles and community well-being by reducing exposure to harmful environmental contaminants, expanding and improving the quality of tree canopy cover, and providing access to healthy food options and health care services.
Recommendation SI.8
Convene a Citizens for a Healthy Community Committee to assist in monitoring environmentally vulnerable areas for improved air and water quality, and land clean-up throughout the County.
Recommendation SI.9
Support the upgrade and expansion of St. Louis Lambert International Airport and industrial/logistics redevelopment within the airport influence zone.
Recommendation SI.10
Ensure safe, efficient and resilient infrastructure that supports continued economic growth.
Recommendation SI.11
Buffer utility and infrastructure facilities from incompatible uses where feasible, using appropriate technology, building enclosure, and other design techniques.
Recommendation SI.12
Encourage connectivity to existing trails and greenways to support the expansion of the county-wide system.
Recommendation SI.13
Prevent future groundwater contamination by ensuring sound management of solid and hazardous waste, and industrial sites within the county.
Recommendation SI.14
Ensure a sufficient supply of clean water to support household use, business retention and expansion, agriculture production, and flourishing ecosystems, for current and future generations.
Recommendation SI.15
Adopt water conservation standards, such as permitting recycled water irrigation systems or providing stormwater management credits to protect agricultural land and greenspaces.
Recommendation SI.16
Utilize renewable energy and alternative fuels for public buildings, vehicles and transportation.
Recommendation SI.17
Prioritize technology driven improvements by installing electric vehicle charging stations, preparing for autonomous vehicle operations, and implementing intelligent transportation systems to enhance traffic flows, safety and mobility.
Recommendation SI.18
Prioritize transportation investments that support the adoption of electric and autonomous vehicles while integrating intelligent technology solutions to enhance safety, improve mobility and promote efficient travel for all users.
Recommendation SI.19
Identify and create smart corridors equipped with sensors and data collection tools to support autonomous and connected vehicle testing and deployment, enhancing real-time traffic management and emergency response capabilities.
Recommendation SI.20
Identify locations for air quality sensors at mobility hubs and other high-density areas to monitor emissions and identify pollution hot-spots.
Recommendation SI.21
Facilitate ongoing investment in core infrastructure, including water, sewer, electric, internet, and telecommunications, prioritizing maintenance and upgrades of utility infrastructure.
Recommendation SI.22
Explore alternative funding models such as development agreements, public-private partnerships and infrastructure impact fees to secure funding for public services and utility expansion, reducing the financial burden on taxpayers.
Recommendation SI.23
Develop a Countywide Thoroughfare Plan that designates primary, secondary, and local road hierarchy. This Thoroughfare Plan will be coordinated with land use and zoning changes to encourage integrated mobility and redevelopment outcomes.
Recommendation SI.24
Explore policies for public rights-of-way usage for the installing of fiber optic cables.
Recommendation SI.25
Support investments in multi-functional facilities like greenways, which offer recreation, stormwater management, and transportation benefits, through partnerships with Parks and Recreation, transportation, and stormwater management agencies.
Recommendation SI.26
Work with local, state, and federal public safety officials, including emergency responders to protect and strengthen the transportation system’s ability to respond to serious incidents and emerging threats.
Recommendation SI.27
Identify priority corridors and conduct a feasibility study for rightsizing the corridors to improve safety (Vision Zero) and the multi-modal environment.
Recommendation SI.28
Revise transportation safety and enforcement practices that promote fairness, eliminate systemic inequities, and prioritize vulnerable communities, focusing on collaboration with municipal Police departments.
Recommendation SI.29
Continue to coordinate with MoDOT and implement smart signal and traffic monitoring systems on non-MoDOT intersections to monitor safety incidents, manage congestion and prioritize emergency response.
Recommendation SI.30
Support municipalities and unincorporated communities working towards region's Vision Zero initiatives with a focus on leveraging funding for improvements on streets in EWGCOG's high injury networks.
Recommendation SI.31
Provide technical assistance to municipalities for the development of hazard inventories and vulnerability analyses at the neighborhood scale.
Recommendation SI.32
Increase fines and the prosecution of offenders for illegal dumping and for polluting emissions of environmental odors, noise, dust, asbestos, and open burning.
Recommendation SI.33
Increase the frequency and advertisement of "free days" for the disposal of unwanted hazardous waste from homes, businesses, places of worship, government entities, and schools at hazardous waste drop-off facilities.
Recommendation SI.34
Prioritize transportation system improvements based on data-driven analysis of current and projected traffic patterns, safety needs, and growth trends.
Recommendation SI.35
Ensure all transportation infrastructure is maintained in a state of good repair through regular inspections and proactive maintenance strategies.
Recommendation SI.36
Prioritize rehabilitation projects for critical infrastructure to extend asset life and minimize long-term replacement costs.
Recommendation SI.37
Develop a 2070 infrastructure climate resilience and disaster mitigation plan.
Recommendation SI.38
Advance mutually beneficial project development through joint grant applications and joint bidding on capital improvement projects with neighboring municipalities to achieve economies of scale.