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Green Building/Zoning Task Force
What's Happening Now
On August 2, 2010, the City Council adopted a green building zoning amendment based on the Green Building/Zoning Task Force Recommendations. The amendment includes the following key elements.
Green Building Standards for Large Development/LEED
All major new construction and significant rehab of existing buildings already subject to special permit or development consultation would be required, at a minimum, to meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green building criteria at the following levels:
- 25,000 to 49,999 sq. ft. to meet LEED ‘Certified’ level
- 50,000 sq. ft. and larger to meet LEED ‘Silver’ level
Formal certification from US Green Building Council (USGBC)/ Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI) would not be required.
Green Roofs
Green roofs would be excluded from the calculation of gross floor area (GFA) even when access to the rooftop is provided. Currently, access to a rooftop, when located above the third floor, triggers the roof area being included in the GFA calculation.
As an incentive to create green roofs, decks or patios less than or equal to 15% of the green roof area and set back 10’ from all building edges may also be excluded from the calculation of GFA. This would be permitted as of right in non residential districts and high density residential districts (Residence C-1A, C-2, C-2A, C-2B, C-3, C-3A, and C-3B). A special permit would be required in the remaining residential districts.
Impediments to Building Green in the Zoning Ordinance
Certain green elements that may reduce a building’s energy consumption and improve indoor environmental quality would be excluded from the calculation of GFA. These include:
- double skin facade exterior walls
- extensive exterior wall insulation
- shading devices such as overhangs, eaves, awnings, pergolas, and arbors
Solar Energy Systems
Building mounted solar energy systems would be defined as mechanical equipment in the zoning ordinance and hence would not be subject to FAR and height restrictions. Installation of solar systems would require a building permit and a list of solar energy system permits, including addresses and dates of issue, would be maintained at the Inspectional Services Department.
New development projects adjacent to existing solar systems would be encouraged to minimize shadow impacts on those solar systems. In addition, the impact of tree planting and landscape improvements on neighboring solar energy systems should also be considered.
Wind Energy Systems
The wind energy systems component of the Task Force zoning recommendations was adopted by the City Council in September 2009 and is now Section 11.40 of the Zoning Ordinance.
Review
the Task Force's Zoning
Petition. This file is in PDF format and requires use of the free
Adobe Acrobat viewer.
Study Description
The City Manager appointed the Green Building/Zoning Task Force in April 2008 to work with City staff and analyze various approaches and to encourage energy efficient building practices. Key issues that the group will look at include adopting green building requirements such as LEED criteria for large scale developments, approach to green roofs, solar access, and identifying and addressing any impediments to building green in the zoning ordinance.
Appointees to the task force represent diverse perspectives and include architects, residential owners, developers, solar installers, and representatives of advocacy groups, local universities, and the Cambridge Planning Board. City staff from Public Works, Inspectional Services, Historical Commission, and Community Development are participating in this effort.
The Task Force will meet approximately monthly for six to eight months and is expected to develop recommendations for submission to the City Manager.
Go
to list of Task Force Members
Go
to Green Building/Zoning Task Force Recommendations
Task Force Materials
These files are in PDF format and require use of the free Adobe Acrobat viewer.
Over the past year there has been significant discussion regarding green buildings at the City Council, including a council order to form a task force to address green buildings. Relevant Council Orders are as follows:
- Zoning Petition based on the recommendations of the Task Force
- Task Force Recommendations
- Council Order establishing the task force - December 10, 2007
- Council Order on protection for solar energy systems - January 14, 2008
- Council Order on green roofs - July 30, 2007
For More Information
For more information, please contact Iram Farooq, Senior Project Manager, ifarooq@cambridgema.gov, at 617/349-4606 or John Bolduc, Environmental Planner, jbolduc@cambridgema.gov, at 617/349-4628. The Community Development Department TTY line is 617/349-4621.
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