A Planning Board Zoning Petition to consider adoption of the attached Climate Resilience Zoning

To the Honorable, the City Council, We are pleased to transmit the attached Climate Resilience Zoning Petition for the Council’s consideration. On November 15, 2022, the Planning Board (the “Board”) held a discussion of a Draft Climate Resilience Zoning Text with members of the Climate Resilience Zoning Task Force and City staff who were involved in its drafting. The text is based on the recommendations in the Final Report of the Climate Resilience Zoning Task Force.

Board members found the proposal to be well thought-out, reflecting years of effort by many parties representing different perspectives. It is forward-thinking, groundbreaking, and addresses complicated matters that are of great importance. Board members acknowledge that adjustments could be considered, but that it would be appropriate to begin the hearing process to involve the City Council in considering any substantive amendments.

The attached text includes some suggested corrections and clarifying edits that were raised during discussion and in written comments submitted to the Board. All eight Board members voted in favor of transmitting the attached petition.

Respectfully submitted for the Planning Board,

Catherine Preston Connolly, Chair. Introduction This proposed Climate Resilience Zoning is part of the Resilient Cambridge Plan, an effort to make the city more prepared for and resilient to the impacts of climate change while improving the quality of life and enhancing the city. The Climate Resilience Zoning proposal, which deals with regulations for urban development like residential and commercial buildings, is just one part of this effort. You can read more about the Resilient

Cambridge Plan here:

https://www.cambridgema.gov/Departments/communitydevelopment/resilientcambridgeplan The attached zoning text comes from the recommendations of the Climate Resilience Zoning Task Force (CRZTF), a group of stakeholders representing residents, homeowners, institutions, residential and commercial developers, and subject matter experts from the Cambridge community.

This group met over about two years to discuss shared principles, consider options, and recommend zoning changes that would promote resilient urban development over time.

As described in the Final Report of the Task Force, this zoning proposal has four components: (1) New standards for flood-resilient design (2) New standards for heat-resilient design (3) Relaxed zoning standards to remove impediments to resilient development (4) Additional resilience considerations as part of development review The recommendations of the Task Force balanced many different points of view to arrive at this set of recommendations.

You can read more in the Final Report here: https://www.cambridgema.gov/CDD/Projects/Zoning/climateresiliencezoning

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CRZTF Recommendations by Zoning Section

Zoning Section

Recommendations to Incorporate

Article 2.000 Definitions

Revisions to existing terms to reference new standards (e.g., Flood Resilience Standards, Green

Factor Standard)

Moving terms defined elsewhere in Zoning Ordinance (e.g., Sections 22.30, 22.40, 22.50) Definitions of new terms as needed o Flood elevations o Green Factor Standard strategies

Article 2.000 Definition of GFA

Exempt outdoor shade canopies and shaded area. Exempt exterior flood-resilience measures (e.g., stairs, ramps). Exempt usable green roof areas and rooftop access headhouses. Exempt basement area as-of-right, if designed to Flood Resilience Standards.

Article 2.000 Definitions of Open

Space Allow shade canopies in Green Area Open Space, Public Open Space, and Private Open Space Allow exterior flood-resilience measures (e.g., stairs, ramps) in Private Open Space

Section 5.10 General Regulations

Require adherence to Flood Resilience Standards.

Section 5.22 Private Open Space

Exempt exterior flood-resilience measures (e.g., stairs, ramps). Require adherence to Green Factor Standard.

Section 5.23 Height

Exempt usable green roof areas and rooftop access headhouses as-of-right. Allow a compensating increase in height limit (up to 4’) if the ground story is elevated, up to the 2070 1%-Long Term Flood Elevation (LTFE) standard, provided Flood Resilience Standards are met.

Section 5.24 Yards

Exempt exterior flood-resilience measures (e.g., stairs, ramps, window wells). Section 19.24 Require applicants for a Project Review Special Permit to submit a Resilience Narrative with their application that includes projections for flood risk and heat risk as well as a description of adaptation strategies, including flood protection, heat island mitigation, passive resilience measures, and operational preparedness. Section 19.30 Revise mechanical equipment indicator to reflect Flood Resilience Standards. Revise green building indicator to reflect current Green Building Requirements.

Page 3 of 43 Add a Resilience Objective that notes that development should be planned to respond to anticipated effects of climate change, with indicators related to flood protection, heat island mitigation, passive resilience measures, and operational preparedness. Section 19.40 Require adherence to Flood Resilience Standards for Small Project Review and Large Project Review. Require adherence to Green Factor Standard for Small Project Review and Large Project Review. Article 22.000 Create Flood Resilience Standards. o Describe process for promulgating LTFE standards o List standards for determining if a building is Flood Resilient (e.g., location of uses relative to

LTFE standards)

o Describe process for administration and promulgation of regulations by the City Engineer Create Green Factor Standard. o Identify site features that contribute to a Green Factor Score o Quantify how each site feature is evaluated o Describe the process for calculating the Green Factor Score for a site o Include procedures for administration and promulgation of regulations Section 22.20 Require adherence to Flood Resilience Standards. Require adherence to Green Factor Standard.

Section 22.30 Add descriptions of types of green roofs. Allow usable green roofs as-of-right. Require submission of an operation and maintenance plan. Section 22.40 Delete section and move provisions to Article 2.000 and Article 5.000, as applicable. Section 22.50 Delete section and move provisions to Article 2.000 and Article 5.000, as applicable.