Greenwich, Connecticut is considering legislation that would require homeowners who want to increase the amount of non-permeable surfaces on their property to go through a procedure that includes evaluating and mitigating the environmental impact of potential stormwater runoff.
Local realtors are concerned that the legislation could decrease property values by making it more difficult and expensive for buyers to make changes to their property. For instance obtaining permission to adds a stone patio, which is now a simple process, would become more complex.
Although environmental legislation sometimes does inconvenience individuals, such legislation is meant to benefit citizens. Stormwater runoff pollutes local water, and surely such pollution could impact property values more than regulations to avoid it would. Another drawback to fully paved patios is erosion in the surrounding areas.
Having a high level of aesthetic discernment is essential to my interior design practice, and a hallmark of any good design is that it is appropriate for its context. Hopefully, this should make it easier for people who are concerned about restrictions on pavement around their homes to take my word for it when I say that one of the most attractive and appropriate patio materials for a suburban or country home is, in my professional opinion, flagstone laid without mortar.
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