Commission debates allowing milled asphalt and recycled materials in residential driveways

Staff member introduced a discussion about driveway and parking-surface materials and told commissioners the key question: "The discussion up for you, tonight is the extent to which we should allow milled asphalt in residential zones." The item was framed as a change to the code definition of "hard surface" so the ordinance could explicitly list acceptable materials.

Supporters argued milled asphalt is an improvement over loose gravel, reducing dust and tracking onto streets. "You wouldn't be tracking that gravel, that junk onto the sidewalk," a committee member said, noting milled asphalt had performed well in other local uses. Staff also explained that milled asphalt is permitted now in light and heavy industrial zones but is not currently counted as a hard surface in residential rules.

Opponents and cautious commissioners raised quality and safety concerns. The Chair noted a risk with crushed concrete: "a lot of crushed concrete can have chunks of rebar in it as well," and other participants warned that recycled asphalt lacks structural longevity without an appropriate base. Staff recommended changing ordinance language to enumerate acceptable methods — for example, listing hard surface, milled asphalt, or crushed concrete where appropriate — and said enforcement and permitting details (compaction, thickness, approved sources) would need to be defined.

The commission agreed staff should draft ordinance language for further refinement before sending it to council; no final policy change was adopted at the meeting.