REGIONAL CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION STRATEGY

2

3

Sector Subtopic Objectives

Built

Environment

Development, Green

Infrastructure, Tree

Canopy

1) New development/redevelopment designed to adapt to climate

impacts (heat, precipitation, etc.)

Development 2) Redevelopment located outside of the highest hazard areas

Natural

Resources

Protection 3) Natural functions of ecosystems, shorelines and critical habitat

areas will be restored

Management 4) Conserve and manage habitats to support healthy fish, wildlife

and plant populations and ecosystem functions

Restoration 5) Restore ecosystem processes to increase capacity to adapt

Coastal Zone Protection, Storm

Assessment

6) Coastal areas resilient to climate change impacts

Key

Infrastructure

Energy,

Water/WW/SW,

Transportation,

Green Infrastructure

7) Resilient transportation, water/wastewater, and energy

infrastructure

Roads & Crossings 8) All existing tide and flood control structures assessed for flood

control capacity

Local Govt./

Economy

Asset Management,

Capacity

9) Local and regional asset management preparation and

monitoring

Human Health &

Welfare

Vector Diseases,

Vulnerable

Populations

10) A public protected from extreme climate change health

impacts, with particular focus on vulnerable populations

Implementation Strategies

4

Hierarchy:

14. Strategy (Regional Climate Change Adaptation)

14.A. Sub-Strategy

14.A.1) Recommendation

14.A.1) a. Implementation Measure

Source: Penney, 2008

ADAPTATION = increasing resiliency and

reducing vulnerability of our natural and built

systems to best prepare for changing conditions

Keep Development Out of Floodplains

Source: Carrie Banks, MA Division of Ecological Restoration

Coastal Wetland Migration

Open Space Planning

Regulations / Zoning

Interdepartmental Coordination

Design Guidelines

Transfer of Development Rights

Easements

Repurposing

Source: Prudent Baby

Work Together!

Plan with Nature in Mind

Master Planning

Lake Ontario Park Master Plan: Habitat and Natural Areas Plan

Natural Resource Protection Zoning

Single Family: Open Space Reserved = 0 Cluster: OSR 30%

Conservation: OSR 50% NRPZ: OSR 80%

Zoning in High Hazard Areas

Shoreline Protection Law

(Adapted from ME Shoreline Zoning Handbook)

Wetlands

Resources: • http://www.co.lancaster.pa.us/toolbox/

• http://www.town.duxbury.ma.us/public_documents/DuxburyMA_Conservation

Set-backs

Kauai Shoreline Ordinance

Setback Related to Lot Depth:

Average Lot Depth (Feet) < 100

or less

101 –

121

121 -

140

141 –

160

161 -

180

181 -

200

>200

Min. Setback (Feet) 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

Setback Related to Building Footprint:

Building Footprint Less than or equal to

5000 sq ft

Greater than 5000 sq ft

Setback (feet) 40’ plus 70 times the

annual coastal erosion

rate

40’ feet plus 100 times the

annual coastal erosion rate

Elevation of the lowest floor two feet above the Base Flood Elevation

Walls that are “substantially impermeable to the passage of water” (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Flood Proofing Regulations).

Redevelopment/Building Guidelines

Source: LA Storm Smart Coasts

Rolling

Easements

Source: Georgetown Law; Harrison Inst. For Public Law

Yes It

Can Be

Done!

Receiving area = lot w/in

Residential A or B – w/ municipal

water& sewer

Transfer of Development Rights

Falmouth, MA

Integrated Water Management

Aquatic Restoration

Green Infrastructure

Water Conservation/Reuse

Source: Sustainable Water Management Wiki

Source: Australian Water Association.

Source: City of Portland, Environmental Services

Green Infrastructure

Conventional (Gray) Infrastructure Green Infrastructure

Singe function – carry waste and water; built for cars only; electricity from fossil fuels

Multi-functional - store and treat stormwater; aesthetically pleasing; provide wildlife habitat; electricity from wind, solar; multi-modality, etc.

Manufactured materials Manufactured and natural materials

Transports stormwater away from site Manages stormwater on site

Concentrates stormwater and pollutants Naturally treats and disperses stormwater and pollutants

Roads built for cars only Roads that accommodate bicycles and pedestrians, and often, have natural elements too.

Electricity from fossil fuels Electricity from multiple renewable energy sources

Cookie-cutter approach, no room for creativity or complementariness

Work well in tandem with and are complimentary to other types of infrastructure

Source: Janak, Germond et al. 2008

Green Infrastructure

Green Infrastructure

Could This be Boston …or Worcester?

Source: City of Philadelphia

Local Economy and Government

Ecological Resilience

Economic Vitality

Social Equity & Human

Health

Vulnerable Populations

Local Codes & Regulations

Do They Discourage or Promote Green Infrastructure / Low Impact Development?

Do they Agree/Conflict with Each Other?

Wetland Regulations

Stormwater Regulations

Zoning - Site Plan Review

Subdivision Rules and Regulations

MAPC’s Code Checklist: http://www.mapc.org/sites/default/files/LID_Local

_Codes_Checklist.pdf

Relax Parking Requirements

Utilize Right-of-Way & Reduce Setbacks

Permit use of Open Drainage Systems

Credits for On-site Retention, Infiltration, Evapo-transpiration

Zoning/Site Plan Review Incentives: • Fee Discount • Development Incentives • Rebates & Installation

Financing • Awards & Recognition

Programs

Proactive MA Communitis

• Chatham – zoning bylaw prohibits new residential units in mapped floodplains - designates ‘conservancy districts’ for land in 100-year floodplain; designates uses as permitted, needing special permit or are altogether prohibited

• Cape Cod Commission – model floodplain district bylaw prohibiting new development in V, no public infrastructure in V and A zones

• Boston – updating their hazard mitigation plan, looking into updating wetlands ordinance - all accommodating for CC

• Cambridge – vulnerability assessment

• Reducing Storm Risk in Developed Areas w FEMA $: Quincy & Scituate help property owners elevate homes/utilities; covers 75% of cost

THANK YOU!

Contact Info: Julie Conroy, AICP

Senior Environmental Planner MAPC

617-933-0749 jconroy@mapc.org