Issues

GOAL	METHOD	PROGRESS	NEXT STEPS
Provide space for large shade trees along the street. More information about the value of large shade trees on the streets.	Require at least 15 ft front setbacks on public ways to make room for large shade trees on the street.	The latest recommendation of the MBTA-C Working Group includes a requirement for 15 ft setbacks for all new construction, with exceptions for ground floor commercial space.	* Make sure this requirement is in the ARB’s recommended vote. * Prevent parking in front setbacks. * Limit the granting of the “zero setback” bonus to only sites
Plant and maintain enough public shade trees to make a difference.	Require planting of shade trees on all public ways no more than 35 ft apart for new construction.	In Business Districts, the current zoning bylaw (Section 6.3) requires a public shade tree every 25 ft on the public way.	* Amend the base zoning bylaw to include all zones.
Make streets more pleasant by avoiding “canyons” and preserving the view of the sky. More information about what makes a street more pleasant and livable.	Require 15 ft front setbacks on public ways. Require stepbacks for buildings over two stories.	The latest recommendation of the MBTA-C Working Group includes a requirement for 15 ft setbacks for all new construction, with exceptions for ground floor commercial space. They also require a 7.5 ft stepback for buildings over four stories.	* Lobby to incentivize large setbacks, and require stepbacks for all buildings over three stories.
Include small public parks (“pocket parks”) on main streets. More information about the importance of small public parks on the streets..	Provide incentives to private property owners for deeded access in front setbacks.	There are currently no requirements for small public parks on main streets.	* Lobby to incentivize deeded access to front setbacks for the purpose of creating small public parks on the main streets. * Acquire small parcels on main streets and create new public parks.
Increase the use of native plants in public and private landscaped areas, More information about the contributions of native plants.	Encourage native plantings in public and private landscaped spaces, especially to connect wildlife and pollinator corridors.	There are currently no requirements or incentives for the use of native plants in landscaped areas.	* Modify the SITES scorecard to make it more specific to Arlington, and provide incentives to achieve high scores. * Use predominantly native plants in all public landscapes. * Incentivize the use of native plants in private landscaping.
Increase open space on large private properties.	Require more greenspace on large sites.	There are currently no requirements or incentives to create additional open space for large developments.	* Amend the zoning bylaw to require or incentivize additional open space for large developments.
Reduce “heat islands” caused by open, paved, unshaded parking lots. More information about reducing heat islands with green parking lots.	Require shade tree or photovoltaic canopies over outdoor parking lots. Reduce the size of outdoor parking lots using structured or underground parking within the footprint of the builds.	The current zoning bylaw (Section 6.1.11 F. 2.) requires 50% shade using trees or solar panels.	* Amend the base zoning to include open parking lots in all zones.
Reduce the opportunity for street flooding during weather events. More information about reducing flooding through zoning and engineering.	Create rain gardens, bioswales, drainage ditches, etc. to control runoff. Require pervious surfaces on large paved areas.	The current zoning bylaw includes several sections encouraging techniques to improve drainage and reduce runoff. Section 6.1.11.F.1 requires the use of pervious paving material for large parking lots.	* Amend the base zoning bylaw to require all large paved surfaces to be pervious. * Require engineering solutions to minimize runoff for all large surfaces in new construction.