ZONING BYLAW AMENDMENT/STREET TREES

To see if the Town will vote to amend the zoning bylaw to require a street tree to be planted for every 25 feet of street frontage for all developments; or take any action related thereto.

Inserted at the Request of the Redevelopment Board

This Article aligns with the Master Plan, which states that in addition to environmental and public health benefits, trees have a significant impact on the quality of the pedestrian’s experience in Arlington’s commercial centers and neighborhoods. This Article supports the Master Plan goal of addressing street tree concerns, including replacement of trees lost due to age, storms, and failed survival of newly planted trees. It also coordinates tree care between the Town and property owners.

The Board seeks to expand the street tree requirement to all new construction, additions over 50% of the existing footprint, or redevelopment in all districts in order to support provision of adequate shade tree coverage; implement carbon neutral policies and climate mitigation goals of the Town of Arlington; reduce heat island effects emanating from Arlington’s main corridors; and enhance public health and walkability with proper shading. This Article provides a nature-based solution to mitigate the impacts of the built environment.

This is a necessary addition so that development in the MBTA Communities overlay district will also require street trees.

The Redevelopment Board voted 4-0 to recommend Favorable Action.

That the Zoning Bylaw be and hereby is amended as follows:

Amend SECTIONS 6.3.2, 6.3.3, and 6.3.4 :                                                                                                                            

6.3.2. Applicability

In the Business, Residential, and Multi-Family Housing Overlay Districts, new construction, additions over 50% of the existing footprint, or redevelopment subject to review by the Arlington Redevelopment Board shall provide one public shade tree every 25 linear feet of lot frontage along the public way where there is not already a public shade tree.

6.3.3. Administration

A.            This Section 6.3 shall be administered subject to Sections 3.3, Special Permits, and 3.4, Environmental Design Review, and Site Plan Review, as applicable, by the Arlington Redevelopment Board. It shall be administered by the Zoning Board of Appeal for projects under its review. It shall be administered by the Department of Planning and Community Development if the project is not subject to review by the Redevelopment Board or Zoning Board of Appeals.

B.            After the effective date of this Bylaw, Public shade trees shall be provided for any applicable use above and subject to Section 3.4, Environmental Design Review, and in accordance with the Standards established in this Section 6.3.

6.3.4. Standards

A.            Street trees shall be planted within existing and proposed planting strips, and in sidewalk tree wells on streets without planting strips.

B.            Trees shall be selected from the approved tree list set forth by the Tree Committee and approved by the Tree Warden.

C.            When planted, trees must be a minimum height of ten (10) feet or two (2) inches in caliper.

D.                  All new trees shall be maintained in accordance with American Standard for Nursery Stock standards for a period of no less than 36 months from the date of planting, or other standards the Redevelopment Board may designate. Properties in which there are preexisting public shade trees at the required spacing along the public way are exempt.

E.                  Where there is no other suitable location within the public way, shade trees may be proposed in locations within the lot, or in exceptional circumstances the Arlington Redevelopment Board or Zoning Board of Appeals, as applicable, may allow the owner to make a financial contribution to the Arlington Tree Fund. The Department of Planning and Community Development may make such allowance for projects not subject to review by the Redevelopment Board or Zoning Board of Appeals.

The Arlington Redevelopment Board or Zoning Board of Appeals, as applicable, may grant an increase in spacing between plantings where a new planting would conflict with existing trees, retaining walls, utilities, and similar physical barriers, or other curbside uses. The Department of Planning and Community Development may grant such increases for projects not subject to review by the Redevelopment Board or Zoning Board of Appeals.