Peter LowittDevens Enterprise Commission

Green Infrastructure Green Roof Policy Workshop

Green Infrastructure Policy in the Development of Devens Regional Enterprise Zone

Peter Lowitt, FAICPDirector:

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 roofsRenewable Energy Building and Electrical Permit

Fee ReductionsNet 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 PolicyPublic health asthma reductionStormwater managementUrban food productionGreen 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)

http://www.devensec.com/devserv.html

Green Infrastructure Guidelines: • http://www.devensec.com/development/

Green_Infrastructure_Guidelines_Final_8-12-14.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:

Low-Impact Development (LID)Devens Case Study: 27 Jackson Road

Apex bio-filtration landscape islands (Phase 1)Apex bio-filtration landscape islands (Phase 2)

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

Green Infrastructure LID Techniques for Stormwater Management at Devens

Greening Infrastructure Upgrades- Vegetated roadside swales- Micro-basins (local recharge)- Native wildflower and grasses

(low maintenance, increased infiltration)

LID Techniques for Stormwater Management Incorporated into Projects at Devens

Nypro bio-filtration landscape islands Natural 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