Committee Report - Parks - 11-22-10 — File 190448

November 22, 2010 Parks and Open Space Special Committee Page 1 of 3 Printed 12/2/2010 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 Present Thomas F. Taylor Ward Three Alderman Present William M. Roche Ward One Alderman Present Walter F. Pero Ward Four Alderman Present Dennis M. Sullivan Alderman At Large Present Omar Boukili Administrative Assistant Present David Lutes Environmental Programs Manager Present Michael Lambert Director of Transportation Present George Proakis OSPCD Present 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.: See discussion of Item # 190212, below. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 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 # 190212, below. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 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.:

Committee Meeting November 22, 2010 Parks and Open Space Special Committee Page 2 of 3 Printed 12/2/2010 Mr. Lambert reported that the city is entering into the design phase of the Quincy and Cross Street sites and that in the fall of 2011, the city expects to discuss planning on site control from the DCR and conservation issues affecting the site in West Somerville. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 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. Lambert explained that the fee was based on a fair market estimated cost for regulating and inspecting rooftop activity. Mr. Lambert added that it's important to have a structural engineer assist homeowners in determining if a green roof is feasible for their property and he suggested that this might be something the city could provide in-house at cheaper cost. Chairman Gewirtz's motion that the Executive Director of Strategic Planning and Community Development and the Commissioner of Public Works collaborate to determine the feasibility of providing a less expensive Green Roof fee to residents and report back to the Committee, was approved. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE Next: 12/31/2010 12:00 AM 190127 - That the Director of SPCD appear before this Board to report on the delay of the development of the community path from Cedar Street to the Lowell Street bridge. (3rd request).: Mr. Lambert reported that the scope of work has been approved by both the State and Federal Governments and the city should know next week whether it may advertise for construction bids. The city also received authorization for a 99 year lease from the MBTA. Construction of this segment of the path has been pushed back in conjunction with the delay of the Green Line Extension. but is expected to be completed in 2012. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 190206 - That the Clerk of Committees send communications to the City’s Environmental Programs Manager and to the Commissioner of Public Works regarding the composting initiative at South Street and request that they apprise the Committee on Parks and Open Space of its progress.: Mr. Lutes updated the committee on the South Street composting initiative. Reception barrels are in place and residents have been receiving information about where to drop of composting materials. The material is picked up daily and there has been no evidence of rodent activity at the drop off sites. The committee will know at its next meeting whether the Farmers' Market will get composting when it resumes outdoors.

Committee Meeting November 22, 2010 Parks and Open Space Special Committee Page 3 of 3 Printed 12/2/2010 RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 190212 - That the Director of SPCD provide the Committee on Parks and Open Space with the existing regulations governing runoff under the state standards.: The Planning Board’s process for the installation of driveways was explained, however, members of the committee stated that this is a Board of Aldermen issue and that it should be referred to the Committee on Legislative Matters. Members of the public spoke about the need for vegetation and varying types of surfaces to control water runoff. Alderman O’Donovan’s motion that the Planning Board forward the City of Lowell’s paving ordinance, rules and regulations to the City Solicitor for review and that the City Solicitor submit a proposed ordinance on this issue to the Board of Aldermen at its next meeting, was approved. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED