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Malden planning board narrows landscaping materials, splits on front‑yard paving rules
Summary
The Planning Board recommended approval in part and disapproval in part of council papers on parking, landscaping and usable open-space rules: it endorsed restrictions that would bar overly compacted surfaces (for landscape areas and parking‑lot landscaping) but split on a proposal to tighten front/side/rear yard paving limits.
The Malden Planning Board on May 14 reviewed a slate of related zoning papers (including City Council Papers 153 and 186 of 2025) proposing changes to off‑street parking, landscaping materials and usable open-space requirements. The board endorsed some measures while rejecting others after extended public and member discussion.
Sponsors said the package aims to protect open space, reduce impervious cover, and prevent landscaped areas from functioning as informal parking. Councilor Constance O’Malley and Councilor Steve Winslow described neighborhood instances where yards were converted to hard surfaces or crushed stone and later used for parking, and said the amendments would encourage on-site infiltration and preserve neighborhood character.
Planner Michelle summarized the proposals: amendments to off‑site (stand‑alone) parking lot landscaping to prohibit overly compacted materials (for example, crushed stone or stone dust) in landscape areas; clarifying the general off‑street parking requirements and landscaping language to encourage infiltration; and revisions to how the city calculates the 50% limitation on front/side/rear yard paving for certain residential uses. Michelle and the building commissioner noted the ordinance language interacts with existing paving/permitting requirements.
After discussion, the Planning Board voted to recommend approval, in part, of City Council Paper 153 — approving the landscaping restrictions for off‑site parking and related parking landscaping changes, but disapproving the proposed revision to the paving limitation subsection as presented. The recorded advisory recommendation on Paper 153 passed, seven in favor and two opposed (Patrick Hayes and Stephanie Stone voted no).
Separately, on City Council Paper 186 (usable open space and the paving limitation language), the Planning Board approved language that was ultimately passed by a 5–4 advisory vote. The passed language specified that no more than 50% of any individual yard area (front yard, combined side yards and rear yard) of a residential property may be used for parking or surfaced with pavement. Some members said they preferred to keep cross‑references to the ordinance’s pavement definition rather than enumerating materials within the paving clause; the building commissioner advised that clearer, more specific language would aid enforcement.
Board members and staff acknowledged enforcement and equity questions: members asked how rules would affect accessory dwelling units (ADUs), older properties with existing paving, and lower‑income homeowners for whom permeable pavers would be costly. Planner Michelle and the building commissioner said existing permits and a paving‑permit process help track changes; the board recommended further coordination with Inspectional Services and the City Solicitor on precise wording prior to Council ordination.
The Planning Board’s advisory votes will be transmitted to the City Council for final consideration. The staff report and ordinance text were incorporated into the record; the Council must act within 90 days of the public hearing close (Aug. 12, 2025, if the hearing is closed May 14).
