Government Central
Legislative Affairs Update by Terrence F. Smith
The Council met on August 2 in their special summer meeting. At that meeting they passed amendments to the zoning ordinance proposed by the City’s Green Building/Green Zoning Task Force and passed an amendment proposed by Boston Properties to the zoning ordinance in Kendall Square that will allow for the expansion of the Broad Institute. The Green Building/Green Zoning
Task Force amendments establish requirements that large new developments and major rehabilitations meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green building criteria, exclude green roofs from the calculation of gross floor area (GFA) even when access to the rooftop is provided, eliminate some impediments to building green in the zoning ordinance and define solar energy systems as mechanical equipment in the zoning ordinance. The amendments proposed by
Boston Properties will allow for the expansion of the Broad Institute on an abutting parcel on Ames Street in Kendall Square. The amendments allow for the development of office/laboratory space on this parcel and allow for a larger building on this site. The parcel had been zoned for housing. Boston Properties has identified several sites it is considering for housing development in Kendall Square. Proposed changes to the sign ordinance are before both the City Council and the Planning Board. The major change would allow the Planning Board, through the Special Permit process, to review and recom- mend approval for some signs at the top of buildings in a limited number of commercial areas in the City.
To receive a weekly summary of government affairs activity, please subscribe to the Government Affairs Update by visiting
www.cambridgechamber.org/business/government_monthly.html#gcamail. The 2010 Government Affairs program is sponsored by Genzyme Corporation. For more information on GAC activities, contact Director of Government Affairs Terrence Smith at
tsmith@cambridgechamber.org or (617) 876-4213.
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