Committee Report - Parks - 10-25-10 — File 190315

October 25, 2010 Parks and Open Space Special Committee Page 1 of 2 Printed 10/26/2010 REPORT OF THE PARKS AND OPEN SPACE SPECIAL COMMITTEE Attendee Name Title Status Arrived Rebekah L. Gewirtz Chair Present Maryann M. Heuston Vice Chair Present Sean T. O’Donovan Ward Five Alderman Absent Omar Boukili Administrative Assistant Present Eddie Nuzzo Supt. of Inspectional Services Present Rachel Kelly OSPCD Present George Proakis OSPCD Present Michael Lambert OSPCD Present Dave Shapiro Asst. City Solicitor Present Robert King City Engineer Present 189736 - That the Director of SPCD Submit the HUD Letter Regarding CDBG Eligibility of the Proposed West Somerville Dog Park, to the Committee on Parks and Open Space for Review Before Sending the Letter.: Mr. Lambert informed the members that the city does not have the funding or capacity to find possible locations for a dog park, however, the city is exploring the possibility of utilizing space in the Innerbelt area. Mr. Lambert stated that a dog park at Dilboy is probably one year away, due to the Kelly and Dickerman Parks construction projects. Chairman Gewirtz responded by saying that it is unacceptable for the city not to provide a location in West Somerville and Alderman Heuston added that a number of tasks could still be performed without funds being allocated, urging the city to pursue a plan, even without site control. Alderman Heuston asked OSPCD to consider what is possible for a dog park in West Somerville and she expressed concern about the reasons that the city isn’t moving to immediately identify and construct a dog park. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE Next: 11/22/2010 6:00 PM 189121 - That the Executive Director of the Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development Make Recommendations to This Board Regarding Ways in Which the City Can Control and Reduce the Percentage of Paved Surfaces Since Somerville Leads the Region with 77% of Its Surfaces Being Paved.: Mr. Proakis provided the committee with documentation from the City of Lowell, relative to their regulations, adopted in 2008, regarding paving. OSPCD is considering proposing a

Committee Meeting October 25, 2010 Parks and Open Space Special Committee Page 2 of 2 Printed 10/26/2010 permitting process, that would be incorporated into the city’s zoning ordinances, to deal with paving issues. Residents expressed concern regarding storm water, gray water, de-paving and parking issues. OSPCD will look at the state’s regulations regarding gray water and report back to the committee. Chairman Gewirtz said that she favors an ordinance aimed at getting people to pave less and she requested that an update on the city’s Compehensive Plan be provided to the committee as soon as possible. Mr. King spoke about the city’s infrastructure and stated that it was developed in the late 1800’s, originally being build for smaller houses and communities. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE Next: 11/22/2010 6:00 PM 189444 - That the City Solicitor Summarize What is in the Zoning Code and Code of Ordinances that Limits, Controls or Restricts Paved Surfaces on Private Property in the City and Report the Findings to the Committee on Parks and Open Space.: See discussion of Item # 189121, above. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE Next: 11/22/2010 6:00 PM 189934 - That the Director of SPCD (ISD) Provide This Board with the Rationale for the $18 Fee for Each $1000 Dollars in Construction Cost for Installing a Green Roof on a Home, Which May Serve as a Disincentive for Residents to Install Green Roofs.: Mr. Nuzzo explained that the fee for green roof construction is not different than that for construction costs. A discussion followed regarding who has the authority to set the fees and Alderman Heuston suggested that the committee recommend a reduction in the fees for a certain amount of development, based on the gross total of a project. Chairman Gewirtz requested that Mr. Nuzzo determine the applicable costs and report same back to the committee along with an explanation of how ISD sets fees. Mr. Nuzzo was also requested to collaborate with OSPCD to come up with methods for providing incentives to residents for the installation of green roofs and report back to the committee. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE Next: 11/22/2010 6:00 PM