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Board asks how residential driveways and alternatives to concrete are treated under the code
Summary
Members asked whether shell, pavers or other permeable materials can substitute for concrete/paver driveways; staff said code changes would be needed and the city engineer would need to support exceptions, although case-by-case approvals are possible.
A board member asked whether the code allows alternatives to concrete and pavers for residential driveways and other impervious surfaces. Tony Palermo said such changes would require code amendments and the city engineer's support, though exceptions can be granted on a case-by-case basis.
"It would be a change in code that would need to be supported by our city engineer," Palermo said, adding that public works enforces parking-area and paving requirements but that alternatives such as shell, pavers and stone are sometimes allowed by public works as exceptions. Palermo said staff will coordinate with the city engineer and city attorney when exceptions are requested and that clarifying language could be introduced to the code to make permitted alternatives explicit.
The board discussed the potential environmental benefit of reducing impervious surfaces and encouraged staff to consider clearer guidance for homeowners and developers so that permeable options are easier to request and review.
