Cambridge Incentive Zoning Ordinance Nexus and Jobs Linkage Study Completed

Analysis of projected non-residential development on affordable housing and jobs in Cambridge


12/10/2019 • 4 years ago

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The City’s Community Development Department recently released the Incentive Zoning Ordinance Nexus and Jobs Linkage Study, which analyzes the impact of projected non-residential development on the need for new low, moderate, and middle-income affordable housing.  It also analyzes the projected jobs that will be generated by new non-residential development, and the potential demand for occupational training to meet resident employment goals.  The study is a reevaluation of the 2015 Incentive Zoning Nexus Study, and is the first time a jobs linkage component has been considered.  

Commercial developments of more than 30,000 square feet are subject to the Cambridge Incentive Zoning Ordinance to mitigate the impact of the project on the need for affordable housing in the city.  Incentive zoning provisions allow for large non-residential developments to make housing contributions to the Affordable Housing Trust, which creates and preserves affordable housing in the city.  The Nexus Study recommends an increase of the housing contribution rate for non-residential development from the current $17.10 per square foot to $19.10 per square foot, with subsequent annual increases. 

The study was completed by a consultant team, led by Karl F. Seidman. The City Council’s Ordinance Committee will be considering the recommendations in the study in 2020.

Click here to read the Incentive Zoning Nexus Study and Jobs Linkage Study.