Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Environmental Regulation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Town code to follow DEP rules on synthetic turf; front‑yard placement could conflict with right‑of‑way
Summary
Staff said the draft ordinance incorporates Department of Environmental Protection rules on synthetic turf, which could allow artificial turf in private yards but may conflict with the town's 10‑foot public right‑of‑way and swale requirements.
Heidi Siegel told the committee that recent state legislation and DEP rules effectively opened the door to synthetic (artificial) turf, and the town's draft ordinance now refers to the DEP rules rather than attempting to reproduce each technical detail.
"They call it synthetic turf. Basically, they said it's anything goes within the rules that will be established by the Department of Environmental Protection," Siegel said, noting the town has been waiting for DEP rules and is now incorporating them into local code language. She warned that some outcomes could be unexpected: "Someone may elect to put artificial turf in their front yard. The first 10 feet of everyone's front yard is actually the right of way. That would still be subject per our rules, and then it would match up into artificial turf. Do not be surprised."
Committee members asked about permeability and swale function; staff said the town intends to preserve drainage function by tightening language around swales and by referencing DEP technical standards where necessary. The ordinance draft removes a local permeability test and instead points directly to DEP regulations, making the town's rules adaptive to future state rule changes.
The committee did not finalize policy but discussed potential impacts on appearance and stormwater performance and directed staff to refine mandatory swale language. Final language will be considered by the commission at the statutory readings.
