Peter Lowitt Devens Enterprise Commission

Green Infrastructure Policy in the Development of Devens Regional Enterprise Zone Peter Lowitt, FAICP Director: Devens Enterprise Commission

How Devens has facilitated GI and LID? Strong leadership (local gov’t) Communication/Partnerships Build on Progressive Strategy : - Education - Incentives - Regulations - Guidelines

Fact Sheets - Composting, reuse & recycling guidance - Benefits of Street Trees - EPA LID Fact Sheets and MA Smart Growth Toolkit, UNH Stormwater Management Center Case Studies - LID and Zero Net Energy (seeing is believing!) Coordination with other departments (leading by example – Department of Public Works & Engineering.) Education:

Devens Street tree inventory and replacement program Education:

Incentives: Expedited permitting (Building Reuse 30 days) SWM credit for LID and green roofs Renewable Energy Building and Electrical Permit Fee Reductions Net Metering policy (municipal utility) Financial incentives for LEED projects (15% fee refund) LEED templates for various credits provided by municipality Bio-filtration landscape Islands in New Parking Lot of Office Complex Adaptive building re-use (Eglomise Designs)

Devens Enterprise Commission: Green Roof Policies and Programs Target the green infrastructure policy to the goals you want to achieve on a neighborhood by neighborhood basis– remember vegetated roofs and walls are the best multi-tasking tools available. Viewshed Overlay Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Policy Public health asthma reduction Stormwater management Urban food production Green Area Factor (under review)

Regulations to facilitate Green Infrastructure: Subdivision -Complete Streets Standards (street trees, LID drainage, reduced pavement widths, pedestrian scale design) -Additional street types (neighborhood, parkway – more green, less grey) -Traffic calming measures (chicanes, bump-outs – additional planting opportunities.) Site Plan -Green Roof & Green Wall Regulations -Tree Protection and Steep Slope Overlay -EV & carpool parking, parking maximums, bike lanes, anti-idling (HI, GHG/TDM) -LID required as first approach for stormwater management General Regulations -Updated stormwater and low-impact development standards (DEP & UNH) -Renewable energy standards (Green Communities) and water efficiency -Greenhouse Gas mitigation standards (Stretch Code, green roofs, inventory)

Green Infrastructure Guidelines: ture_Guidelines_Final_ pdf: Emphasizing how GI meets multiple regulatory requirements Mapping of where GI connections are needed most Linking Reuse Plan, Open Space & Trail Plan objectives Appendices with examples, resources

Guidelines:

Apex bio-filtration landscape islands (Phase 1)Apex bio-filtration landscape islands (Phase 2) Total Traditional Project Cost:$1,004,000 LID Reduced site paving-$32,000 LID Reduced curbing-$50,000 LID Reduced stormwater piping-$14,000 LID Reduced stormwater structures -$68,000 LID Increased landscaping +$12,000 LID Increased site preparation+$10,000 LID Increased soil mix +$18,000 Total Estimated LID Savings:-$124,000 (12%)

Greening Infrastructure Upgrades -Vegetated roadside swales -Micro-basins (local recharge) -Native wildflower and grasses (low maintenance, increased infiltration)

Nypro bio-filtration landscape islandsNatural open drainage vs. piping and catch basins Devens Common underground infiltration systemsDevens Common cisterns collecting roof runoff

Frag. Developed Frag. Patches/Edge Unfragmented Patches

Results: Triple Bottom-Line approach – Fulfilling Reuse Plan Objectives Climate mitigation & adaptation (HI, GHG, resiliency) Healthier, more attractive natural and built environments Connecting people with nature Right mix: balance of Education, Incentives, Guidelines & Regulations