A communication transmitted from Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager, relative to Awaiting Report Item Number 18-25, regarding a timeline for the next Incentive Zoning Study

C I T Y O F C A M B R I D G E Community Development Department MEMORANDUM To: Louis A. DePasquale, City Manager From: Iram Farooq, Assistant City Manager for Community Development Date: March 13, 2018 Re: Policy Order O-18 dated February 26, 2018 regarding a timeline for the next Incentive Zoning Study In response to the above-mentioned policy order, we provide the following information. BACKGROUND On September 28, 2015, the City Council voted to adopt an amendment to the City’s Incentive Zoning Ordinance which significantly expanded the list of non- residential uses subject to the Incentive provisions and increased the Housing Contribution Rate to $12.00 per square foot of non-residential floor area, with three annual increases and annual CPI adjustment. The Housing Contribution Rate is now $14.95 per square foot, with provision for a final $1.00 annual increase scheduled in September 2018 and continued annual CPI adjustment. The 2015 amendment allows for a reevaluation of the Housing Contribution Rate three years from the time the rate was last amended by the City Council. TIMELINE AND NEXT STEPS Community Development Department Housing staff are now preparing to revisit the Incentive Zoning Nexus Study beginning in fall 2018, as allowed by the 2015 amendment. Funding for this study will be included in the City Manager's FY2019 budget submission. If the FY2019 funding is approved, we will initiate the procurement process to select a consultant for the Nexus Study in summer 2018, with a goal of initiating the study in fall 2018. We anticipate that the Nexus Study will take six to eight months, consistent with the duration of the 2015 study. A more specific schedule to complete the IRAM FAROOQ Assistant City Manager for Community Development SANDRA CLARKE Deputy Director Chief of Administration

study will be detailed in coordination with the study consultant, once they are selected. For the 2018 Nexus Study we plan to follow a methodology similar to that used in the 2015 study, which reviewed economic factors, housing trends, and the nexus between new non-residential development and the demand for affordable housing. We would be pleased to discuss the approach prior to issuing an RFP for the study to be sure that it is consistent with the City Council's goals.