Page 10 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, April 28, 2023 Malden, Melrose, Medford issue guidelines for sustainable and resilient building design M alden, Melrose, and Medford worked with the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) to collaboratively develop sustainable and resilient building design guidelines for residential and mixed-use developments and retrofi ts. The voluntary guidelines are intended to help these communities encourage developers to build more aff ordable housing that is energy-effi cient and climate-resilient. The guidelines highlight best practices to promote multifamily and mixed-use buildings that are aff ordable to build and to live in while allowing each community to consider their unique housing needs. They also include design elements that can help residents reduce energy use or save on energy costs; in turn, these energy saving measures can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and might provide other benefits as well. Developers should use the guidelines in tandem with local ordinances and state building codes and in coordination with local building and sustainability departments. Community members gave their input to develop the guidelines through a series of interviews, focus groups and workshops. Residents told the MAPC project team that they value living spaces with outdoor access that are close to community resources like transit, groceries and health centers. They voiced their interest in seeing more green space in their communities, including gardens, green roofs, and decks. Aff ordability across the three municipalities is a key concern, as the price of housing and utilities has increased rapidly in recent years. Residents expressed that they want to make sure aff ordable housing is climate resilient, built with sustainable materials and addresses concerns related to fl ooding, water drainage, extreme heat and other hazards. An interactive webinar on the guidelines was scheduled for April 26, 2023. Resources and guidance for cities and towns to tackle their climate goals can be found at mapc.org/net-zero/playbook/. This project was supported by a Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) Action Grant from the Executive Offi ce of Energy and Environmental Aff airs. It is said... in Malden hat we apologize to the beloved Judie (Brandano) Sullivan for misplacing her real maiden name when trying to congratulate her in this column recently. **** That we could have mistakenly called her Gennetti, Fermano, Cagno or Puleo, Angelo or any of a number of well-known Edgeworth family names and none would be a negative thing, nor was Spadafora, of course. **** That Councillor-at-Large Karen Colón Hayes and Ward 3 Councillor Amanda Linehan along with Ward 4 Councillor Ryan O’Malley invite everyone to the Friends of Oak Grove Inc. Fishing Derby in July at Fellsmere Pond. **** That an Arbor Day–themed tree planting day is planned at Forestdale Cemetery on April 29 (tomorrow), hosted by City Council President Barbara Murphy and others. **** That a “Tree Walk” for kids is also planned tomorrow. **** That City Council President Murphy also reports that discussions have been underway with Mayor Gary Christenson and his staff on extending yard waste collections into the summer months and that budgetary resources are being sought, since it costs approximately $80,000 per weekly, citywide pickup. **** That this year’s municipal budget deliberations are already being referred to as “challenging”... as they are in more years than not. **** That Councillor-at-Large Craig Spadafora said that he spotted a bald eagle “having his dinner” in his backyard in the city’s West End neighborhood last week. **** That an R.I.P. goes out to the now late, great Jerry Springer, whose death was reported yesterday; whether you loved him or hated him, the original reality TV show host (which people wonder if it was a real as the WWF) was a “real character.” Malden Public Library hosts networking program for people 50 years and older. T 50+ Job Seekers Networking Group info Sign up dates
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