During a recent government meeting, Medford city councilors engaged in a robust discussion regarding the implementation of a new green score policy aimed at mitigating the urban heat island effect and enhancing functional greening in the city. The conversation centered around how broadly this policy should apply, particularly in relation to site plan reviews for new developments.

Council members expressed a desire to balance ambitious environmental goals with the practical implications for city staff and smaller developers. One councilor suggested that while larger commercial developments should aim for a full 100% compliance with the new standards, smaller projects might only need to meet 50%. This approach aims to ensure that the policy is both effective and manageable.

President Beers and other councilors showed consensus on prioritizing the integration of this green score policy with site plan reviews, indicating a collective commitment to addressing environmental concerns in urban planning. The council is looking to develop specific language for the policy, which will be incorporated into the city’s zoning ordinances.

City staff will collaborate with the council to draft proposals that outline the thresholds for compliance and the scoring system for developments. This includes potentially providing a list of native and adaptive plants suitable for use in Medford, which would support the greening efforts.

As the meeting transitioned to the next agenda item on incentive zoning, the council's focus on sustainable development practices remained evident, highlighting Medford's commitment to fostering an environmentally conscious urban landscape.