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suggested amendments to the Cambridgeside Galleria PUD-8 Zoning petition. I believe that this is a good project that will help enliven a part of First Street that has long been dormant, and which will also continue to evolve into a critical corridor between Cambridge Crossing, the new Lechmere station and Binney Street and the larger Kendall Square area
November 26, 2019
RE: Amendments to Cambridgeside Galleria PUD-8 Zoning petition
Dear Colleagues,
Please find my suggested amendments to the Cambridgeside Galleria PUD-8 Zoning petition. I believe that
this is a good project that will help enliven a part of First Street that has long been dormant, and which will
also continue to evolve into a critical corridor between Cambridge Crossing, the new Lechmere station and
Binney Street and the larger Kendall Square area. I appreciate the petitioners willingness to seek alternatives to
simply converting the Mall to office space using existing zoning, and developing a larger plan for First Street
and the East Cambridge neighborhood that includes a significant portion of housing.
That said, the amendments I am proposing are based on careful conversations with many stakeholders, as well
as reviewing previous area studies and reviewing the Planning Board memos and videos carefully. As I
mentioned in the last Ordinance Committee meeting, I have specific concerns about the mix of housing and
whether the percentage of affordable and middle income housing that has been proposed is the correct one for
this level of upzoning. In order to better respond to the housing crisis we are in, both at low and middle
incomes, I have suggested an amendment to increase the total percentage of affordable and middle income
housing units within the 30% total GFA to go to 65% from the previous proposal of 50%.
I have also suggested a breakdown within that 65% for middle and affordable units, and asking for a
significant portion of the affordable units be family sized, 3 bedroom units. When we have the financial
analysis in front of us at the special meeting, I imagine we will have a lengthy discussion about the mix and the
percentages of total housing, affordable and middle income units with the petitioners and staff.
Additionally, regarding the middle income housing, responding to Planning Board concerns and CDD staff
suggestions, I have suggested an amendment that we increase the AMI band from 80-120% of AMI, to 70-
120% AMI as I believe we could capture those applicants at the outer edge of the Inclusionary Program and
ensure those residents would have a place to live as they increased their incomes to 120%.
I look forward to the conversation tomorrow, and to hearing my colleagues amendments on this petition as
well, to move forward in a positive direction for the City, and our needs.
13.100
PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT 8 DISTRICT
13.101
Purpose. The PUD-8 District is intended to provide for the creation of a vibrant mixed-
use district of high quality general and technical office and lab use, active commercial
use, including retail, fitness and restaurant, components of residential use and
enhancement of open space to serve residents of the District and the surrounding
neighborhoods, as well as workers, students and visitors. The PUD-8 District
encourages strong connections between the neighborhoods of eastern Cambridge and
new development in that area, particularly along First Street, the East Cambridge
riverfront (focusing on Lechmere Canal) and the PUD-8 area. It also promotes retail-
and service-oriented ground floors that will activate surrounding public streets and
spaces, such as First Street and Lechmere Canal Park. The expectation is for the District
to continue to be a recognizable center of activity and economic viability for East
Cambridge and the surrounding neighborhoods in light of the changing landscape of
brick and mortar retail. Development in the PUD-8 District is expected to meet
standards for urban design, architectural design, environmental sustainability and open
space design. To the extent reasonably practicable and subject to the provisions of
Section 13.107.5 below, new buildings shall be generally consistent with the policy
objectives set forth in the Eastern Cambridge Planning Study dated October 2001, the
guidance provided in the Eastern Cambridge Design Guidelines dated October 15,
2001, the East Cambridge Riverfront Plan dated May 1978 and the Cambridge
Riverfront Plan dated Spring 2011.
13.102
PUD-8 Special Permit.
13.102.1 Eligible Development Parcel. To further the purpose of this Section 13.100, an
applicant may submit a Development Proposal and obtain a special permit from the
Planning Board approving a Final Development Plan for the Development Parcel
located within the PUD-8 District which, at the time of application for a PUD-8 Special
Permit, (i) contains at least 100,000 sf of retail and/or restaurant space on the ground-
floor allowed pursuant to a valid special permit under the PUD-4 District, (ii) contains
at least 7.5 acres in area and (iii) is within 600 feet of 3 acres of Public Open Space.
The Development Parcel within the PUD-8 District may contain contiguous or
noncontiguous lots elsewhere in the PUD-8 District or within another PUD District that
are situated within twelve hundred (1200) feet of the boundaries of the PUD-8 District.
13.102.2 PUD-8 Special Permit Approval. The Planning Board may grant a PUD-8 Special
Permit approving a Final Development Plan for the Development Parcel upon finding
that the Final Development Plan is consistent with the criteria set forth below, all other
criteria applicable to approval of any other special permits being sought, and upon
consideration of the PUD-8 Guidelines and Principles (as hereinafter defined). Any
modification to a Final Development Plan, the need for which arises for any reason,
shall require a major or minor amendment in accordance with Section 12.37 of this
Zoning Ordinance and the provisions of the PUD-8 Special Permit. A PUD-8 Special
Permit approving a Final Development Plan may specify a range of modifications that
may be approved as minor amendments to the PUD-8 Special Permit, which are subject
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only to written approval of the Planning Board, if such modifications are found by the
Planning Board not to significantly alter the concept of the approved PUD.
13.102.3 PUD-8 Special Permit Requirements. Within the Development Parcel, the locations of
streets and open spaces, the quantities of proposed land uses, and general PUD-8 lots,
building envelopes, locations and heights shall be indicated in sufficient detail that the
Planning Board can reasonably assess the impact of the PUD-8 Special Permit and its
general consistency with the PUD-8 Special Permit Criteria set forth in Section
13.102.4 below. At a minimum, a Development Proposal and subsequent Final
Development Plan must contain the following components:
(a)
Site Development Plan — describing how the Development Parcel is divided
into distinct PUD-8 lots, streets, and open spaces and their development characteristics,
including potential uses and Gross Floor Area (“GFA”).
(b)
Site Massing Plan — illustrating the height and massing of building volumes for
each proposed building site, including representative ground-level views from selected
vantage points, and studies of anticipated shadow and wind impacts resulting from
building mass.
(c)
Parking and Loading Plan — identifying the locations of all parking facilities,
bicycle parking facilities and facilities for loading or other vehicular service functions,
and the number of spaces proposed at each location.
(d)
Connectivity Plan — illustrating all pedestrian, bicycle and vehicular circulation
routes within the Development Parcel, their connections to nearby public circulation
routes and destinations outside the Development Parcel, and approximate locations of
access and egress points on each building and parking facility within the Development
Parcel.
(e)
Open Space Plan — illustrating and quantifying the areas of all open space areas
utilized by the development in satisfaction of Section 13.105, including, without
limitation, pedestrian ways providing connectivity to the riverfront.
(f)
Ground Floor and Activation Plan — illustrating the conceptual arrangement of
functions such as retail establishments and other active uses, and residential and office
lobbies at the ground floor of each building in the Development Parcel, as well as the
locations and anticipated sizes of Active Uses that may be required by the specific
provisions of this Section 13.100 and strategies for programming and activating those
spaces.
(g)
Housing Plan — providing the approximate number and mix of housing unit
types proposed on the residential site, and identifying the anticipated location of
dwelling units that may be required by specific provisions of this Section 13.100.
(h)
Phasing Plan — describing the general sequence in which development is
proposed to proceed.
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(i)
Sustainability and Resiliency Plan – describing: (1) how the sustainability
requirements set forth in Section 13.107.4 below will be met; (2) how the proposed
development will promote best practices for environmental sustainability and
resiliency; (3) how the proposed development serves nearby East Cambridge
community-wide needs for emergency refuge or shelter during heat or storm
emergencies in coordination with the Cambridge Climate Vulnerability Assessment
dated February 2017.
(j)
Net Zero Plan – describe how the proposed development will evaluate the
feasibility of achieving the goals set forth in the Net Zero Action Plan, including the
potential incorporation of enhanced commissioning for newly constructed or renovated
office and lab buildings and opportunities for bio-fuel emergency power fuel, battery
storage, airtightness and additional methods to reduce fossil fuel usage, including in
the context of relevant energy initiatives implemented through the City of Cambridge.
(k)
Transportation Plan – incorporating: (1) a Transportation Impact Study required
by Section 19.20 of this Ordinance; (2) a Shared Parking Study required by Section
13.106.5 below; (3) a study of the impacts of increased demand on public transportation
services in the East Cambridge area; (4) a description of the development’s relationship
to future regional rail, bus, pedestrian/bicycle and other transportation system
connections in the area; and (5) a Transportation Demand Management and Mitigation
program describing measures which may be incorporated by the Planning Board into a
condition of a PUD-8 Special Permit to offset or mitigate the development’s impacts
on transportation systems, including measures set forth in this Zoning Ordinance and
the City’s planning efforts to be linked to milestones, thresholds or performance
standards. Such studies (and the recommendations set forth therein) shall account for
the proposed scale and phasing of development and the limitations on system capacity
to accommodate new vehicle, transit, and other trips.
(l)
Environmental Comfort Plan – describing or showing screening, building
elements, or other site improvements designed to reduce impacts from wind and
shadows, provide adequate lighting for safe use while minimizing excessive light,
mitigating urban heat island effect, and controlling noise generated by mechanical
systems and by truck traffic, particularly on First Street.
(m)
Architectural Character Plan – describing general approaches to the design of
buildings, landscaped areas, streets, and pathways, identifying the type of visual
character that the development will aim to achieve, with the expectation that specific
designs of individual buildings and spaces will be reviewed in further detail as they are
developed.
(n)
Comprehensive Signage Plan – providing the approximate number, type and
characteristics of signage to be installed within the District; the Planning Board,
through its approval of the Comprehensive Signage Plan as a component of the PUD-
8 Special Permit, may waive provisions of Article 7 that would otherwise apply to
signage in the District.
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(o)
Utilities Plan – analyzing existing infrastructure and demonstrating that each
proposed building site at the time of development will be adequately served by water,
sewer, gas, and electric infrastructure capacity or describing appropriate infrastructure
capacity improvements that will be implemented to ensure such building site will be
adequately served upon the completion of such improvement.
13.102.4 PUD-8 Special Permit Criteria. In approving a Final Development Plan, the Planning
Board shall consider the following objectives with respect to any Net New GFA (as
defined below) or construction of a new building:
(a)
Providing a mix of commercial, including research and technology, and
residential uses, with particular emphasis on ground-floor retail along First Street, to
encourage activity throughout the day and evening.
(b)
For residential uses, incorporating a diversity of dwelling unit sizes that are
appealing and accessible to a variety of users, including families with children and
households from a variety of socioeconomic backgrounds.
(c)
Improving the network of connections that integrate the PUD-8 District with the
surrounding urban fabric of the East Cambridge neighborhood and the activity
surrounding the East Cambridge Riverfront, and maintaining existing ground level
pedestrian connections between Charles Park and Lechmere Canal Park, including
interior connections with active retail uses.
(d)
Enhancing the existing network of high-quality streets, landscaping and open
spaces, including significant space for public gathering and recreation, that serves the
surrounding communities as well as the development on the site by encouraging and
fostering a sense of community, civic engagement, social interaction, economic
development, and environmental sustainability.
(e)
Integrating development with open space physically and functionally by means
of building orientation, active frontages, location of building entrances, pedestrian
linkages between major activity centers, enhanced landscaping and similar techniques.
(f)
Providing a strong street edge and active ground floors that animate streets and
open spaces, including through the presence of Active Uses (defined below) on the
first-floor fronting on First Street and Cambridgeside Place.
(g)
Enhancing the architectural diversity and aesthetic qualities of the PUD-8
District to harness the spirit of growth and change in East Cambridge and reinforce a
Cambridge sense of place.
(h)
To the maximum extent practicable, promoting best practices for environmental
sustainability in establishing design objectives for individual buildings and sites, in
accordance with the City’s ongoing planning efforts and current Massachusetts
Department of Environmental Protection standards.
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(i)
Demonstrating a commitment to implementing a Transportation Demand
Management and Mitigation Program.
(j)
Activating surrounding streets by incorporating Active Uses on the portion of
the ground floors of new buildings immediately fronting on First Street, Cambridgeside
Place and Lechmere Canal Park (excluding those areas of such ground floors utilized
for lobbies, mechanical areas and/or entrances to parking and/or loading areas).
(k)
Strengthening pedestrian access from First Street to retail establishments and the
Riverfront.
(l)
Demonstrating a commitment to implement programming for proximate Public
Open Space.
13.102.5 PUD-8 Lot. A lot within the PUD-8 District is a parcel of land that may be in more
than one ownership, provided that the developer thereof has control over the entirety
of the parcel, whether via fee ownership, long-term lease or enforceable easement
rights, which parcel is bounded by other lots or by streets, and which is designated by
the developer thereof to be used, developed or built upon as a unit.
13.102.6 Condominium Property Regime. Nothing in this Section 13.100 shall prevent a
developer from submitting a building(s) subject to a PUD-8 Special Permit to a
condominium property regime. The violation of the conditions of a PUD-8 Special
Permit by one owner or occupant of a condominium unit within a development shall
not be deemed to be a violation by any other owner or occupant within the development,
but shall be deemed to be a violation by the owner or occupant of the condominium
unit(s)/premises violating the conditions of the PUD-8 Special Permit. Nothing herein
shall limit the rights of a condominium association against a violating owner or
occupant.
13.102.7 Applicability of Requirements to Development Parcel. The requirements of this
Section 13.100 may be satisfied for the entire Development Parcel on any lot(s) located
within the limits of such Development Parcel or, with respect to Section 13.105 (Open
Space), on other land within 1,000 feet of the PUD-8 District; provided, however, the
requirements of this Section 13.100 shall not be applied to individual PUD-8 lots or
ownership units comprising such Development Parcel, but shall be applied as if such
Development Parcel were a single conforming PUD-8 lot whether or not such
Development Parcel is in single or multiple ownership. A violation, with respect to a
lot or ownership unit or leased premises within the Development Parcel, of any
provision of this Section 13.100 shall not constitute a violation with respect to any other
lot or ownership unit or leased premises within the Development Parcel.
13.102.8 Phasing Plan and Lapse. Any development within the Development Parcel shall
commence and, to the extent built in multiple phases over a period of time, be
constructed in accordance with the time limits set forth in the Final Development
Plan. Any changes to the Phasing Plan after issuance of the PUD-8 Special Permit are
subject only to written approval by the Planning Board.
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In no event shall any portion of the development approved by a PUD-8 Special
Permit for which a building permit has been issued and construction has commenced
be deemed to have lapsed due to the fact that any other phase of the approved
development has not been commenced or completed.
13.102.9 Relationship to PUD-4. With respect to the Development Parcel, the rights granted
pursuant to a PUD-8 Special Permit shall be in addition to any rights previously granted
under a PUD-4 special permit and the PUD-8 Special Permit shall govern with respect
to such additional rights. The previously issued PUD-4 special permit shall remain
valid and in full force and effect for, and govern with respect to, any remaining land
outside of the Development Parcel subject thereto, provided that the terms of such
PUD-4 special permit shall be applied to such remaining land without regard to any
rights granted to the Development Parcel pursuant to the PUD-8 Special Permit.
To the extent the Development Parcel is subject to the provisions of one or more PUD
District(s), special permit(s), site plan approval(s) and/or variance(s) issued prior to
the issuance date of a PUD-8 Special Permit granted hereunder and the provisions of
such PUD District(s) or existing approval(s) conflict or are inconsistent with the
PUD-8 Special Permit, the provisions of the PUD-8 Special Permit shall govern.
13.102.10 Pre-Application Conference. In the course of preparing a Development Proposal, the
developer shall be required to participate in at least one PUD Pre-Application
Conference as established in Section 12.33 of this Zoning Ordinance and a similar
conference with the full City Council or Ordinance Committee. The purpose of the
conference will be to discuss the conceptual alternatives for site arrangement, building
massing, circulation systems and public space arrangement, as well as general
approaches to architectural and landscape design, and for the developer to receive
informal feedback from the Planning Board prior to preparing the materials required
by Section 13.102.3 above. As set forth in Section 12.33.2, any statement made by the
Planning Board or the developer at the Pre-Application Conference shall not be legally
binding. Notwithstanding Section 12.33.3, the developer shall present graphic and
written materials as needed to illustrate and describe conceptual development
alternatives
13.102.11 Design Review. In approving a Final Development Plan, the Planning Board may
incorporate criteria and additional guidelines for future design review of individual
building sites and open spaces in support of its findings, including with respect to:
streetscape activation, amenities, and dimensions; the provision of canopy street trees;
coordination with the City’s plans for vehicular, pedestrian, and bicycle movement in
East Cambridge; ground floor design; sidewalk widths and features; the location of
the ground floor façades relative to the plane of the streetwall above; the height and
façade expression of ground floors; façade length; modulation of the streetwall
façade; the continuity of the streetwall; bay widths; window-to-wall ratios; the
massing and façade expression of towers, mechanical penthouses and their stepbacks;
screening of mechanical systems; architectural details; building materials;
incorporation of art; lighting design; sustainability; and universal access.
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13.103
Uses Allowed in a PUD-8 District. The uses listed in this Section 13.103, alone or in
combination with each other, shall be allowed, provided that the amount and extent of
uses may be further regulated and limited as set forth elsewhere in this Section 13.100.
This Section 13.103 shall refer to uses as they are listed in Article 4.000 and otherwise
defined in this Zoning Ordinance as of the effective date of the enactment of this
Section 13.100. For the avoidance of doubt, the Planning Board shall be the sole permit
granting authority with respect to determining uses allowed under this Zoning
Ordinance in the PUD-8 District.
(a)
Residential Uses. All uses listed in Section 4.31 a-h, and i.2.
(b)
Transportation, Communication and Utility Uses. All uses listed in Section 4.32,
which are allowed or conditionally allowed in the base zoning district.
(c)
Institutional Uses. All uses listed in Section 4.33, which are allowed or
conditionally allowed in the applicable base zoning district.
(d)
Office and Laboratory Uses. All uses listed in Section 4.34.
(e)
Retail Business and Consumer Service Establishments. All uses listed in Section
4.35.
(f)
Open Air or Drive in Retail & Services.
i.
Sales place for flowers, garden supplies, agricultural produce conducted
partly or wholly outdoors; commercial greenhouse or warehouse;
ii.
Open air place of entertainment.
(g)
Light Industry, Wholesale Business and Storage. All uses listed in Section 4.37.
(h)
Other Uses. Any use not listed in subsections 13.103(a) through 13.103(g)
above, otherwise allowed in a Business A District, may be allowed by the Planning
Board upon written determination by the Board that such use is consistent with the
objectives of the PUD-8 District and is consistent with the predominant uses in the
PUD-8 District.
13.104
Dimensional Regulations.
13.104.1 Permitted Gross Floor Area (GFA). The following GFA shall be permitted within the
PUD-8 District:
(a)
Existing GFA. The GFA that exists on a lot(s) to be covered by a PUD-8 Special
Permit on the date of application for such PUD-8 Special Permit, which shall be
calculated in accordance with the definition of Gross Floor Area under the Zoning
Ordinance in effect at the time of adoption of this Section 13.100, except that the GFA
of above-ground structured parking facilities in existence on or before September 15,
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2000 shall be included in the calculation of Existing GFA (notwithstanding the
exemptions under Section 5.25.3).
(b)
Net New GFA. A maximum of 575,000 square feet of Net New GFA shall be
permitted within the Development Parcel. For purposes of this Section 13.100, Net
New GFA shall be calculated as the total Gross Floor Area proposed within the
Development Parcel, less the Existing GFA pursuant to Section 13.104.1(a) above.
(c)
Assignment of GFA to PUD-8 Lots. A Development Proposal for the PUD-8
Development Parcel including all PUD-8 lots within such PUD-8 Development Parcel
shall describe how all of the permitted GFA will be assigned to PUD-8 lots within such
PUD-8 Development Parcel. However, with the exception of the 100,000 square feet
that comprises the core retail component of the PUD-8 District, all permitted GFA shall
be assignable among PUD-8 lots within such PUD-8 Development Parcel, subject to
approval by the Planning Board.
(d)
Required Residential Development. A Development Proposal for the PUD-8
Development Parcel shall be required to provide a plan for the provision of at least
thirty percent (30%) of its Net New GFA as residential development, subject to the
following provisions.
1. Timing. Such residential component may be provided on any portion of such
Development Parcel and may be provided during any phase of a multi-phase
development, provided, however, that construction of such residential component shall
have commenced prior to or simultaneous with the earlier to occur of (i) issuance of a
final certificate of occupancy for more than 325,000 square feet of non-residential Net
New Gross Floor Area or (ii) issuance of a building permit for the second new building
within the PUD-8 District (for the avoidance of doubt, a building permit for a new
building shall mean a building permit authorizing the ground-up construction of a new
structure that did not previously exist on the subject property
2. Inclusionary Housing Requirements. GFA assigned to residential use shall be subject to
the Inclusionary Housing Provisions of Section 11.203 of this Zoning Ordinance, except
that at least twenty-five percent (25%) thirty percent (30%) of the total Dwelling Unit Net
Floor Area constructed shall be devoted to Affordable Dwelling Units created through
Inclusionary Housing.
i.
Not less than forty percent (40%) of the total Dwelling Unit Net
Floor Area constructed shall be devoted to Inclusionary Family Sized Units, as
three bedroom units. Units shall be distributed throughout the residential
development in a manner approved by City staff, in order to ensure that the
Inclusionary Family Sized Units are of an appropriate location, size, configuration
and quality for households intended to occupy such units.
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3.
Middle Income Housing Requirement. The following requirements for Middle
Income Housing Units shall apply in addition to the Inclusionary Housing Requirements
set forth above:
i.
Twenty-five percent (25%) Thirty-five (35%) of the total Dwelling
Unit Net Floor Area constructed shall be devoted to Middle Income Units
(as defined below). Such Middle Income Units shall be distributed
throughout the residential development in a manner approved by City staff,
in order to ensure that the Middle Income Units are of an appropriate
location, size, configuration and quality for households intended to occupy
such units.
ii.
For the purposes of this Section 13.104.1, Middle Income Units
shall be defined as residential dwelling units for which:
(a) The occupancy is restricted to households whose total income is
not below seventy percent (70%) and which also does not exceed
one hundred and twenty percent (120%) of the Area Median
Income (AMI); and
(b) The rent (including utilities) does not exceed thirty percent
(30%) of the income of the renting household or, in the instance
of home ownership units, the monthly mortgage payment
(including insurance, utilities and real estate taxes) does not
exceed thirty percent (30%) of the income of the purchasing
household, or such other equivalent standard as may be
determined by the Board of Trustees of the Affordable Housing
Trust Fund.
iii.
Except as otherwise provided in Section 13.104.1(d)(4), GFA
devoted to Middle Income Units shall be subject to the provisions of
Sections 11.203.3 and 11.203.4, provided that such provisions shall be
applied in a manner that reflects the income restrictions for Middle Income
Units provided above (rather than the income restrictions for Inclusionary
Housing provided in Sections 11.203.3 and 11.203.4).
4.
Family-Sized Dwelling Units. The required residential development shall
include a range of dwelling unit types and sizes, including Family-Sized
Dwelling Units. The total number of Affordable Family-Sized Dwelling
Units required under Section 11.203.3(g) shall be determined based on the
total Dwelling Unit Net Floor Area devoted to Affordable Dwelling Units
required by Section 13.104.1(d)(2). To the extent legally permissible
under Section 11.200 of this Zoning Ordinance and other applicable legal
requirements, all Family-Sized Dwelling Units will be Middle Income
Units and Affordable Dwelling Units, allocated in accordance with the
following: (i) those units required under Section 11.203.3(g) shall be
Affordable Dwelling Units created through Inclusionary Housing; and (ii)
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any additional Family-Sized Dwelling Units shall be Middle Income
Units.
(e)
Housing Contribution. To the extent that a development proposed within the
PUD-8 District is considered an Incentive Project, it shall comply with the requirements
of Section 11.202 of this Ordinance.
13.104.2 Residential Density. There shall be no required minimum Lot Area Per Dwelling Unit
in the PUD-8 District.
13.104.3 Maximum Building Height.
(a)
As shown on the attached Building Height Map for the PUD-8 District, Map
13.101, the maximum height of buildings permitted in the PUD-8 District shall be
eighty-five (85) feet except as hereinafter provided.
(b)
The height of buildings or portions thereof may be increased by issuance of a
PUD-8 Special Permit by the Planning Board upon a finding that all of the criteria in
Section 13.102.4 have been satisfied and that the proposed height complies with the
following distance parameters and the design guidelines in Section 13.107.5(a)
(including stepbacks and materials):
i.
The height of buildings or portions thereof that are less than three hundred
(300) feet from the centerline of First Street and more than four hundred
eighty (480) feet from the centerline of Charles Street may be up to ninety-
five (95) feet in a location that is setback from the nearest boundary of the
PUD-8 Development Parcel to the Lechmere Canal by greater than one
hundred eighty (180) feet;
ii.
The height of buildings or portions thereof that are less than three hundred
(300) feet from the centerline of First Street and between four hundred
eighty (480) feet and three hundred fifteen (315) feet of the centerline of
Charles Street may be up to one hundred forty-five (145) feet; and
iii. The height of buildings or portions thereof that are less than three hundred
fifteen (315) feet of the centerline of Charles Street and either (i) less than
three hundred (300) feet from the centerline of First Street or (ii) more
than four hundred twenty-five (425) feet from the centerline of First Street
may be up to one hundred fifty-five (155) feet.
13.104.4 Other Dimensional Requirements. There shall be no minimum lot area for PUD-8 lots
located within the PUD-8 Development Parcel. There shall be no minimum width for
the PUD-8 Development Parcel and no minimum width for PUD-8 lots located within
such Development Parcel. There shall be no minimum required front, rear and side yard
requirements for the PUD-8 Development Parcel or for PUD-8 lots located within such
Development Parcel. There shall be no minimum required distance between buildings
on the PUD-8 Development Parcel and no minimum required distance between
buildings situated on the same PUD-8 lot within such Development Parcel. The
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Planning Board shall approve all such PUD-8 lot sizes and building setbacks in
accordance with the PUD-8 Design Guidelines and Principles set forth in Section
13.107.5.
13.105
Open Space.
13.105.1 Subject to the provisions of 13.105.2 below, at a minimum, twenty percent (20%) of
the land area within the PUD-8 Development Parcel shall be Public Open Space or
Publicly Beneficial Open Space, which may be located in the PUD-8 District and/or
within 1,000 feet of the PUD-8 District, subject to the further standards set forth below
(the “Minimum Open Space”).
13.105.2 To the extent that the Minimum Open Space requirement is to be satisfied, in whole or
in part, with Public Open Space or Publicly Beneficial Open Space that is located
outside of the PUD-8 District, the developer shall demonstrate that the developer (or
its affiliates) has historically contributed to, or is committed to contributing to, the
creation of such Open Space (e.g., through a financial contribution to, or development
of, such Open Space).
13.106
Parking and Loading. Development in the PUD-8 District shall conform to the off-
street Parking and Loading Requirements set forth in Article 6.000, and in the Schedule
of Parking and Loading Requirements applicable to the Residence C-3, Office 3,
Business B and Industry B districts, except as modified by this Section 13.106 below.
13.106.1 With regard to uses contained within new commercial buildings, provided that the
requirements of Section 6.23 of the Ordinance are met, the parking requirements of this
Section 13.106 may be satisfied (a) anywhere in the PUD-8 District or, if located
outside of the PUD-8 District, within 2,000 feet of the use being served,
notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in Article 6.000; and (b) in total or
in part by a lease agreement, occupancy agreement, license or other comparable legal
instrument between the developer and the City, other public entity or private owner or
consortium for use of parking spaces in the public or pooled private parking facilities
within said area.
13.106.2 Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Article 6.000, this Ordinance shall not
restrict the management and assignment of parking spaces in a way that will most
efficiently utilize the existing and proposed parking spaces to serve all approved uses.
13.106.3 Minimum Parking. There shall be no minimum parking requirements within the PUD-
8 District; provided, however, in approving a Final Development Plan, the Planning
Board may specify a minimum parking requirement based on review and analysis of
Transportation Impact Studies and other relevant information on parking demand
provided in application documents, including the Shared Parking Study as required
below, and with the guidance of City agencies. The Planning Board, through its
approval of a Final Development Plan, shall make a finding that the Final Development
Plan provides adequate parking for proposed residential uses.
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13.106.4 Maximum Parking. Maximum allowed parking for a PUD-8 shall be limited by
applying the rates set forth below to each use within the PUD-8 and taking the
summation of the result for all uses. For any use not listed below, the maximum parking
ratio set forth in Article 6.000 shall apply.
(a)
Maximum of 5.0 spaces per 1,000 square feet of retail, consumer service and
restaurant use.
(b)
Maximum of 0.9 spaces per 1,000 square feet of GFA for office use.
(c)
Maximum of 0.8 spaces per 1,000 square feet of GFA for laboratory use
(d)
Maximum of 1.0 space per residential dwelling unit.
In approving a Final Development Plan, the Planning Board may waive any maximum
parking requirements applicable in the PUD-8 District and the underlying Zoning
District.
13.106.5 Shared Parking Study. A Development Proposal for development in the PUD-8 District
shall include an analysis of existing and anticipated parking demand for all uses in the
development throughout the course of a typical day and week. The purpose of this
analysis is to consider parking demands for different land uses that have peak parking
demands at different times of day, thus enabling parking facilities to be used more
efficiently. Accordingly, this analysis may identify opportunities for reducing the total
amount of parking required to serve all uses through the sharing of parking spaces by
multiple uses. Based on this analysis, the Planning Board, with guidance from City
staff, may approve a reduced minimum or maximum parking requirement upon finding
that the approved amount of parking will be sufficient to serve all permitted uses. This
analysis may be approved by the Planning Board as a working study that can be
adjusted by written approval of the Planning Board over time, as dictated by changes
in parking demands.
13.106.6 Loading. The Planning Board, in its approval of a Final Development Plan, may waive
any requirements for the amount, location and design of loading facilities within the
PUD-8 Development Parcel, and may permit loading facilities to be shared across
various uses and PUD-8 lots within the PUD-8 District or adjacent PUD-4 Districts.
13.106.7 Bicycle Parking. Bicycle parking shall be provided in accordance with Section 6.100
of this Zoning Ordinance, provided that, in accordance with Section 6.108, any of the
requirements in Section 6.100 may be modified by the Planning Board through its
approval of a Final Development Plan.
13.107
Special Requirements, Conditions and Standards Applicable to Certain Development
Authorized by the Planning Board in East Cambridge.
13.107.1 Active Uses. Final Development Plans shall enhance the public pedestrian usage of the
sidewalks and create a sense of neighborhood continuity by providing an interesting,
lively and active presence at street level. Accordingly, the portion of ground floors of
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new buildings in the PUD-8 District immediately fronting on First Street,
Cambridgeside Place and Lechmere Canal Park (excluding those areas of such ground
floors utilized for lobbies, mechanical areas and/or entrances to parking and/or loading
areas) shall be planned, designed, and constructed to contain Active Uses as required
below.
(a)
Definition of Active Uses. For purposes of this Section 13.100, “Active Uses”
means:
1.
Any use listed in Sections 4.35 and 4.36; and
2.
Any other use which the Planning Board determines meets the goals of this
Section 13.107.1(a).
13.107.2 Rooftop Mechanical Equipment Noise Mitigation. Sound emanating from rooftop
mechanical equipment on all new or substantially altered structures in an approved
Final Development Plan shall be minimized by the adoption of best available and
feasible practices regarding the location and sizing of equipment, the selection of
equipment and sound attenuation measures. At a minimum, any noise or vibration
emanating from new commercial or substantially altered commercial buildings shall
not be normally perceptible without instruments at a distance of one hundred (100)
feet from the source lot line and shall comply with the provisions of the City of
Cambridge Noise Ordinance applicable to Commercial Areas (as such term is defined
in the Noise Ordinance).
In order to enforce these requirements, the developer shall provide, in addition to a
Noise Mitigation narrative required as part of Article 19.000 review, acoustical
reports prepared by a professional acoustical engineer as described below:
(a)
Prior to and as a condition of the issuance of the first certificate of occupancy
for a new or substantially altered commercial building, an acoustical report, including
field measurements, demonstrating compliance of such building with all applicable
noise requirements; and
(b)
Prior to obtaining any building permit to add any new equipment having a
capacity greater than five (5) horsepower to the rooftop, a narrative report
demonstrating that there will be continued compliance with all applicable noise
requirements after such addition, and upon completion of such addition and as a
condition thereof, an acoustical report, including field measurements, demonstrating
such compliance.
With respect to any new commercial or substantially altered commercial building that
will contain laboratory use, the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC)
design shall adopt Best Available Noise Control Technology (BANCT) in the sizing
and selection of equipment, its placement on the roof, and the use of effective sound
attenuation design elements, including through the following measures: (i) fans shall
be provided with variable speed drives to conserve energy when airflow is not needed
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to condition the space, and sound attenuators will be installed in the ductwork; (ii)
cooling towers shall be provided with large diameter, slow speed whisper quiet fans
and variable speed drives for capacity control and energy conservation, and such
towers will be located within a sound absorbent screen wall; (iii) air cooled chillers
shall use variable-speed compressors, variable-speed fans and integrated compressor
mufflers; and (iv) air handling units shall be in a sound-insulated penthouse that is
ventilated through acoustical louvers. Any PUD-8 Special Permit may contain
conditions with respect to noise mitigation consistent with this Section 107.2 for any
building containing laboratory use.
Additionally, appropriate screening for any rooftop mechanical equipment shall be
provided to the fullest extent permitted by law.
13.107.3 Light Mitigation. Any new commercial or substantially altered commercial building
that will contain laboratory use shall install a Building Automation System (BAS) that
is programmed to dim or turn lights off and to lower shades after 9:30 pm to reduce
light pollution to the surrounding neighborhoods. Any PUD-8 Special Permit may
contain conditions with respect to light mitigation consistent with this Section 107.3
for any building containing laboratory use.
13.107.4 Sustainability. New buildings constructed within the PUD-8 District shall comply with
the provisions of Section 22.20 of the Zoning Ordinance and all sustainability and
resiliency guidelines that have been adopted by the City as applicable to the proposed
building’s location at the time that a PUD-8 Special Permit application is filed with the
Planning Board. Core and shell of newly constructed office and lab buildings within
the PUD-8 District will be required to meet the LEED framework requirements in place
at the time that a PUD-8 Special Permit application is filed with the Planning Board at
the Gold level or better to the maximum extent practicable.
New buildings in the PUD-8 District must incorporate a comprehensive design
approach and incorporate the best practices for meeting sustainability in the following
seven (7) areas:
(a)
Energy and Emissions. Each new building must conserve building energy and,
to the extent practicable, reduce carbon/GHG emissions. The developer, with each new
building within the PUD-8 District, will evaluate the potential for on-site energy
generation within the PUD-8 District in the context of ownership, economic viability
and phasing constraints. The Developer will conduct a greenhouse gas emissions
analysis for each new building and will implement energy efficiency mitigation for
such building to achieve the percentage of CO2 emissions reduction suggested in such
analysis.
(b)
Urban Site and Landscaping; Water Management. The Developer, for each new
building, must explore opportunities for potable water use reductions and the ability to
enhance indigenous plantings in and around the development site.
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(c)
Cool Roofs. All new buildings approved in the PUD-8 District must employ
Functional Green Roofs (as such term is defined in Article 22.000 of this Zoning
Ordinance), high-albedo “white” roofs, or a functionally equivalent roofing system.
(d)
Monitoring. All new buildings in the PUD-8 District shall be required to
conform to the requirements of the Cambridge Building Energy Use Disclosure
Ordinance, Chapter 8.67 of the Municipal Code.
(e)
Healthy Living and Working. All new buildings in the PUD-8 District shall
provide people with access to daylight and enhance the visual and thermal comfort of
people living within the PUD-8 District.
(f)
Transportation. Final Development Plans within the PUD-8 District shall
encourage multimodal transportation, provide facilities for cyclists and provide an
infrastructure to support alternative energy vehicles.
13.107.5 PUD-8 Design Guidelines and Principles.
(a)
To the extent reasonably practicable, new buildings constructed within the PUD-
8 District shall be generally consistent with: (i) the policy objectives set forth in the
Eastern Cambridge Planning Study dated October 2001; (ii) the guidance provided in
the Eastern Cambridge Design Guidelines dated October 15, 2001; (iii) the East
Cambridge Riverfront Plan dated May 1978; and (iv) the Cambridge Riverfront Plan
dated Spring 2011 (collectively, the “PUD-8 Guidelines and Principles”); provided
however that new buildings constructed within the PUD-8 District shall be generally
consistent with the following provisions in lieu of the provisions pertaining to height,
setback, stepbacks and materials in the PUD-8 Guidelines and Principles:
i.
Height and Setbacks: A diversity of height and massing as permitted in
Section 13.104.3 is encouraged to be located in buildings immediately
fronting on First Street, Cambridgeside Place and Land Boulevard and
designed to create a rich and varied skyline along streets abutting the
Development Parcel.
1. Buildings fronting on First Street are encouraged to establish a
recognizable base, activated by commercial, residential, retail, dining
and entertainment uses, of a scale and proportion to support an active,
pedestrian-oriented public realm.
2. New buildings fronting on First Street will enhance the public realm
by providing an approximately 10-foot setback in order to benefit the
use, enjoyment and safety of the area (including street furniture,
bicycle parking, tree plantings and other streetscape features). Bays,
balconies, tapers, cornices and other architectural elements may project
5 feet into this setback zone, beginning at the second floor, to establish
scale compatible with the neighboring structures and to modulate the
massing of the buildings so that they are read as distinct and individual
buildings.
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3. Buildings along First Street are encouraged, when possible, to create
separation between buildings and to adopt massing strategies within
the building facades to create visual interest on the street.
4. Mechanical penthouses, attic stories and other architectural treatments
may be utilized to create tops to the buildings that will contribute to a
varied skyline and unique reading of each building.
5. Maintaining the existing pedestrian atrium, which provides a connection
between Charles Park and Lechmere Canal Park, at its height as of the
effective date of the enactment of this Section 13.100 is encouraged.
ii.
Stepbacks.
1. New or renovated buildings within the PUD-8 District that exceed 85
feet in height shall provide (a) a 10-foot stepback of the building
façade at an elevation of approximately 65 feet in height and (b) a 10-
foot stepback of the building façade at an elevation of approximately
135 feet in height (if applicable), provided in each case that bays,
balconies, tapers, cornices and other architectural elements may
project 5 feet into this stepback zone to establish scale compatible
with the neighboring structures, and to modulate the massing of the
buildings so that they are read as distinct and individual buildings.
2. New or renovated buildings within the PUD-8 District that do not
exceed 85 feet in height are encouraged to provide a distinct
horizontal articulation at a datum height of approximately 65 feet,
through means other than a stepback (significant change in material,
projecting cornice/fin/shade, etc.).
3. New or renovated buildings within the PUD-8 District shall provide a
15-foot stepback of the rooftop mechanical penthouses.
iii. Building Spacing: New buildings shall be designed to provide for
appropriate spacing to preserve adequate light, air and view corridors for
the benefit of the East Cambridge neighborhood. New buildings should,
to the extent feasible, be separated by courtyards or other significant
breaks to avoid long lengths of unbroken building mass.
iv. Materials: A diversity of materials is encouraged to further contribute to
the reading of individual buildings along First Street, Cambridgeside Place
and Land Boulevard.
1. Exterior finishes may include high quality and durable materials such
as, but not limited to, brick, terra cotta, natural and cast stone, high
performance concrete panels and cast shapes, flat and patterned metals,
and curtain wall.
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(b)
In its approval of a Final Development Plan, the Planning Board may (i) make a
determination that one or more provisions of the PUD-8 Guidelines and Principles are
inapplicable to new buildings to be constructed within the PUD-8 District, or (ii) waive
or modify any provisions of the PUD-8 Guidelines and Principles set forth above upon
making a determination that such waiver or modification maintains an architectural
character consistent with the planning and design goals of this Section 13.107.5.
13.107.6 Letter of Commitment. The Letter of Commitment dated _____________ by
_____________is incorporated herein by reference and made part of the Cambridge
Zoning Ordinance and shall be binding upon _______________ and its successors and
assigns. To the extent the provisions of the Letter of Commitment are inconsistent
with the provisions of this Section 13.100, the more stringent provisions shall govern.