Planning board sets June 11 public hearing on impervious-surface revisions

The Birmingham Planning Board voted unanimously May 14 to set a public hearing for June 11 to consider proposed amendments to Article 4 of the zoning ordinance that change open-space standards and the definition of impervious surface.

Staff and board members focused on editorial consistency between draft sections 4.3 and 4.31, requesting that language excluding permeable pavers and other semi-hardscape materials from counted vegetated open space appear in both places. At the direction of a board member, the draft public notice language was clarified to state that a minimum of 65% of front open space in single-family districts shall be vegetated open space and that permeable pavers or other semi-hardscape materials are not considered vegetated open space.

Board members also discussed whether artificial turf should be treated as permeable or not. Some members noted artificial turf varies by construction and recommended leaving detailed turf policy for a broader ordinance rewrite when consultants can bring data and test cases. The board agreed the current package accomplishes the primary goals of incentivizing less pavement in single-family residential design and is close to ready for public review after the requested textual fixes.

The motion to set the public hearing was offered by a board member and supported; the voice vote was recorded as unanimous. Staff said drafting clarifications and the addition of the discussed sentence would be included in public-notice materials ahead of the June 11 hearing.