Deer Street garage offers leadership opportunity

Feb. 27 — To the Editor:

Thank you Councilor Brad Lown for introducing the well-drafted, legally sound, single-use, carry-out plastic bag ordinance that residents spent years working on. The proposed 165 Deer Street parking garage presents another sustainability leadership opportunity.

I am pleased Gary’s Beverage’s first reading is on March 16, not just because I suggested the site as a Worth Lot alternative during my 2013 City Council bid, but because of its unique location. Gary’s Garage would be in a form-based zone, yet outside the Historic District where solar arrays are not allowed to be visible from primary street fronts, Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) arrays can double as rooftop shingles, building facades, and skylight glazings. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory recommends Historic District Commissions allow BIPVs after other energy efficiency building upgrades are made. BIPV arrays should be visible on Gary’s Garage’s mixed-use, form-based code compliant liner from the primary street front to demonstrate these solar arrays can embrace our historic character.

Sustainable initiatives have gained momentum across the greater Seacoast. On Sunday, March 8, from 4 to 5 p.m., Rye's library will host a discussion on its pay as you throw warrant article and Mr. Fox’s Food Waste Collection Program that will soon open to all town residents. Meanwhile, as York’s Board of Selectmen discuss the single-use, carry-out plastic bag ordinance on March 23, and as Newburyport’s goes into effect March 29, Portsmouth residents will be donning plastic bag monster outfits to continue to educate and build support for the Port City’s own ordinance.

Josh Denton

Portsmouth