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Resident urges board to redefine "green space" and flags private gas streetlights
Summary
A New Albany resident urged the Sustainability Advisory Board to tighten the city's definition of 'green space' to favor ecological function over appearance and raised concerns about privately installed gas streetlights that run continuously; board members agreed the topic merits further discussion with planning staff.
During public comment at the June 10 meeting, resident Jeremy Grama (3988 Farber Court) told the Sustainability Advisory Board that the city’s 20% "green space" metric can include low‑value features such as traffic islands and turf lawns and urged the board to recommend a definition that better reflects ecological value. "What do we mean by green space? Is it just green in color, or does it actually have to have some element of sustainability to it?" Grama asked.
Grama also raised concerns about privately installed gas streetlights in newer subdivisions, saying those fixtures run continuously and, based on his calculations, produce higher costs and carbon emissions than electric LED fixtures. He offered to share his spreadsheet with the board but the transcript records this as his self‑described calculation rather than as a city‑verified figure.
Board members responded that there are existing criteria that govern what counts toward the 20% green‑space calculation and suggested inviting the city planner (Steve Mayer) to a future meeting to review and potentially refine those criteria. One board member called the installation of continuous gas lights "stupid" on the record and said the board could consider making a recommendation to city council if it feels strongly about the issue.
Staff asked Grama to sign in and share his contact information so they could follow up, and several board members encouraged further research and discussion at an upcoming meeting.
The board did not take formal action on either the green‑space definition or on private gas lights during the meeting; staff said they would arrange follow‑up with planning staff.
