Neil Angus, Environmental Planner, Town of Devens

Green Town – how to get there and why it matters 2014

Practical Tools for Green Infrastructure

Devens, MA Examples

Neil Angus, AICP CEP, LEED AP BD+C, NDEnvironmental PlannerDevens Enterprise Commission


• 4400 ac. Former military base• Superfund Site• DEC – Regulatory Authority• 5.4 million sq.ft. of

development & 2,500+/- jobs created Top eco. development site in region (national model)

• Sustainable redev. directive

Devens Overview


What Is Green Infrastructure?

• Integration of nat. & built env.;• Interconnected network: buildings,

landscapes, hardscape, water;• Reconnection/replication of nat. eco.

functions;• Energy Eff. & RE (more sustainable

network of nat. and built systems)• Multi-purpose: stormwater+air

quality+ UHI+EE, aesthetics, public health = Improved QOL


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• Case Studies - LID and ZNE (seeing is believing!)

• Coordination with other town departments (leading by example – DPW & Eng.)

Education:


• Devens Street tree inventory and replacement program

Education:


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

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

Reduced site paving -$32,000Reduced curbing -$50,000Reduced stormwater piping -$14,000Reduced stormwater structures -$68,000Increased landscaping +$12,000Increased site preparation +$10,000Increased soil mix +$18,000Total Estimated Savings: -$124,000


Devens Sustainable Housing Pilot Case Study• Showcase EE & WE, sustainable &

affordable construction ($225-$350K)

• LID components (reduced pavement widths, porous walkways, on-site roof runoff infiltration (no gutters) and bio-filtration rain gardens)

• IAQ/GHG reduction

• Cluster/OS protection, smart loc.

• Climate adaptation - more resilient buildings &infrastructure

HERS -36 for single family, enough excess power an EV for 30,000 miles/yr.


US Fish and Wildlife Visitor Contact StationShowcase for SD & LID:•LID stormwater and roofs•Porous pavement, reinforced turf•Composting toilets•Material Reuse – recl.barn siding•Education kiosk

•Trail connections (ONWR)

•Nashua River access

•It can be done and is being done!


Incentives: • Expedited permitting (Building Reuse 30 days)• SWM credit for LID and green roofs• Relaxed frontage requirements for more EE dev.• RE Building and Electrical Permit Fee Reductions• Net Metering policy (municipal utility)• Financial incentives for LEED projects (15% fee refund)

Bio-filtration landscape Islands in New Parking Lot

of Office Complex

Adaptive building re-use (Eglomise Designs)


Regulations to facilitate Green Infrastructure:Subdivision

-Complete Streets Standards (street trees, LID drainage, reduced pavement widths, ped scale design)-Additional street types (neighborhood, parkway – more green, less grey)-Traffic calming measures (chicanes, bump-outs – additional planting opps.)

Site Plan-Green Roof & Green Wall Regs-Tree Protection and Steep Slope Overlay -EV & carpool parking, parking maximums, bike lanes, anti-idling

(GHG/TDM)

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 (draft): • Green roof and wall installation guidelines (now on-line)• New Document:• Emphasizing how GI meets multiple reg. requirements• Mapping of where GI connections are needed most• Linking Reuse Plan, Open Space and Trail Plan objectives• Appendices with examples, resources


Frag. Developed

Frag. Patches/Edge

Unfragmented Patches


Guidelines:


Results:• Triple Bottom-Line approach –

Fulfilling Reuse Plan Objectives• Climate mitigation AND adaptation

(GHG, resiliency)• Healthier, more attractive natural and

built environments• Connecting people with nature • Right mix: balance of Education,

Incentives, Guidelines & Regulations


Resources• EPA LID Fact Sheets:http://water.epa.gov/polwaste/green/index.cfm • MA Smart Growth/Smart Energy Toolkit

http://www.mass.gov/envir/smart_growth_toolkit/pages/mod-lid.html

• UNH Stormwater Center http://www.unh.edu/unhsc/ • Devens Enterprise Commissionhttp://www.devensec.com/sustain.html


[email protected]

Devens Enterprise Commission www.devensec.com