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Board defers action on state stormwater model ordinance pending DEP training and clarification
Summary
The planning board deferred local action on the state's model stormwater ordinance after planner Mike described recent, substantive DEP changes and mandatory retraining for municipal reviewers scheduled Feb. 24; the board will revisit the ordinance at its March 11 meeting after staff distributes DEP materials.
The Somerville Planning Board on Feb. 11 agreed to defer further action on a state model stormwater ordinance until after municipal reviewers attend a DEP training and staff provides clarified guidance.
Planner Mike briefed members on the model ordinance and said the state’s recent revisions change how municipalities treat reconstruction versus maintenance for impervious surfaces and could trigger new stormwater requirements for roadwork and parking-lot reconstruction. He said the changes are substantial and that there is mandatory retraining for reviewers on Feb. 24.
"There is mandatory training on February 24 that I have to attend all the reviewers," Mike said, noting the DEP presentation and associated PowerPoint should clarify time frames and which provisions are mandatory versus optional. The board agreed it would be premature to take local action until staff circulates the DEP materials and the planner summarizes implications.
The board directed staff to distribute the DEP materials after the Feb. 24 session and scheduled continued review of the model ordinance at the March 11 meeting so planning-board members have time to review the training materials.
Quote: "I think that's the best approach. Hold off to get the dates clear and to get the PowerPoint to all the planning board members," Mike said.
Next steps: Staff will share the DEP materials and a summary with the board; the item will return for further discussion on March 11.
