The document discusses how the town of Devens, Massachusetts has implemented green infrastructure and low impact development practices. It describes Devens as a former military base that is now a model of sustainable redevelopment, with over 5 million square feet of development and 2,500 jobs created. It outlines how Devens has facilitated green infrastructure through strong leadership, partnerships, and a progressive strategy of education, incentives, regulations, and guidelines. Case studies highlight specific green infrastructure projects in Devens that have achieved cost savings and environmental benefits.

1. 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, ND
Environmental Planner
Devens Enterprise Commission

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

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

4. Green Town – how to get there and why it matters 2014
How Devens has facilitated GI and LID?
•Strong leadership (local gov’t)
•Communication/Partnerships
•Build on Progressive Strategy :
- Education
- Incentives
- Regulations
- Guidelines

5. Green Town – how to get there and why it matters 2014
• 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:

6. Green Town – how to get there and why it matters 2014
• Devens Street tree inventory and replacement program
Education:

7. Green Town – how to get there and why it matters 2014
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 -$32,000
Reduced curbing -$50,000
Reduced stormwater piping -$14,000
Reduced stormwater structures -$68,000
Increased landscaping +$12,000
Increased site preparation +$10,000
Increased soil mix +$18,000
Total Estimated Savings: -$124,000

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

9. Green Town – how to get there and why it matters 2014
US Fish and Wildlife Visitor Contact Station
Showcase 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!

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

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

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

13. Green Town – how to get there and why it matters 2014
Frag. Developed
Frag. Patches/Edge
Unfragmented Patches

14. Green Town – how to get there and why it matters 2014
Guidelines:

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

16. Green Town – how to get there and why it matters 2014
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 Commission
http://www.devensec.com/sustain.html

17. Green Town – how to get there and why it matters 2014
Thanks!
neilangus@devensec.com
Devens Enterprise Commission
www.devensec.com