SWAMPSCOTT — The Climate Action Plan Committee and Renewable Energy Committee both voted unanimously to recommend several environmental design standards for Vinnin Square’s redevelopment.
Town Meeting voted to rezone Vinnin Square, the lot of land between Essex Street and Paradise Road, for use as a mixed-use residential and commercial hub in May. In October, Metropolitan Area Planning Council Urban Planner Josh Fiala and the Planning Board joined forces to draft a list of standards, which are design elements required by the town and suggested guidelines for the future lifestyle center.
In a joint meeting between the Climate Action Plan Committee and the Renewable Energy Committee Wednesday night, the two committees reviewed the Vinnin Square design guidelines draft and finalized a letter to the Planning Board recommending additional environmental standards — required renewable energy sources in buildings, electric vehicle charging stations, and limited parking spaces — to be added to the guidelines as standards, which require a Town Meeting vote to approve the proposed bylaw amendments.
One of the committees’ recommended standards is for the site’s developers to adhere to the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources’ Specialized Energy Code, which encourages electric utilities and solar panels on buildings to work toward a net zero carbon commercial and residential hub.
In a written statement, Climate Action Plan Committee and Select Board member Doug Thompson said he was pleased with the recommended standards, as they align with the town’s Climate Action Plan.
“Integrating standards for the design that is consistent with our Climate Action Plan — that was unanimously passed at Town Meeting — to get to net zero carbon emissions by 2050 are smart for our environment, our health, and the financial success of the development,” Thompson said. “I look forward to working with all parties to ensure we create a superior livable community that is very climate-friendly.”
The recommendations also include a standard limiting the number of proposed parking spaces in the new Vinnin Square development to only one per residential unit. Climate Action Plan Committee member Sam Snitkovsky, who suggested the standard, said that constructing parking spaces will only encourage driving in the area and, consequently, greenhouse gas emissions.
“Transportation is the second biggest cause of emissions in Swampscott, so I think this is one of our bigger targets,” Snitkovsky said.
Renewable Energy Committee and Climate Action Plan Committee Chair Martha Schmitt said the proposed Vinnin Square environmental standards will go a long way toward a more energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly future in Swampscott.
“Buildings currently are responsible for 52% of the emissions in our town. The Vinnin Square project presents a unique opportunity to make a positive choice that eliminates fossil fuels in new construction and therefore reduces emissions in our building stock going forward,” Schmitt said.
