Innovations in LU Planning and Zoning - Mass Audubon Working for the Green Conference 2012 Innovations in Land Use Planning and Zoning: Incentives, Guidelines and Regulations to promote Sustainable Development Neil Angus, AICP CEP, LEED AP BD+C, ND Environmental Planner Devens Enterprise Commission Innovations in LU Planning and Zoning - Mass Audubon Working for the Green Conference 2012 Devens Overview • 4400 ac. Former military base • Superfund Site • MassDev. – Landowner • DEC – Regulatory Authority • 5.4 million sq.ft. of development & 2,500+/- jobs created Top eco. development site in region (national model) • Sustainable redev. directive Innovations in LU Planning and Zoning - Mass Audubon Working for the Green Conference 2012 Why Sustainable Redevelopment? •Job loss and economic re-development •1993 BSA Planning Charette with Surrounding Towns •Strong emphasis on cleaning up the site and ensuring environmentally responsible redevelopment •Remediation, monitoring •Focus on industrial ecology as a strategy – mimic ecological processes (system of industries) •Environmental protection integrated from the beginning Innovations in LU Planning and Zoning - Mass Audubon Working for the Green Conference 2012 Devens Overview 1994 Reuse Plan • Focus: job creation • Created large industrial/R&D districts(8.5 msf buildout) • Emphasis on open space, conservation and sustainability • Provided for up to 282 housing units (the “cap”) • Basis for Devens Bylaws Innovations in LU Planning and Zoning - Mass Audubon Working for the Green Conference 2012 Devens Today Community Amenities: • New and expanding town center amenities • 1,100+ ac. Protected open space • 18-hole Red Tail Golf Club • Mirror Lake • Parker Charter School • Social Equity – Guild of St. Agnes, Transitions, Veterans Housing, Shriver Job Corps. • 70 businesses, over 2,500 jobs Innovations in LU Planning and Zoning - Mass Audubon Working for the Green Conference 2012 How we Fostered Innovation in LU Planning&Zoning: •Education and awareness •Build Community Vision (BSA) •Communication/Partnerships •Strong leadership (Gov., MD, DEC) •Build on Progressive Strategy (education, incentives, guidelines, regulations) Innovations in LU Planning and Zoning - Mass Audubon Working for the Green Conference 2012 Green Guidelines Devens Eco-Efficiency Center • Mission: assistance to reduce environmental footprint and building operating costs through education, enabling collaboration and technical assistance – EcoStar – Eco-Efficiency – Workshops – Roundtables – Dedicated support – Marketing/Value-added – Triple bottom line Innovations in LU Planning and Zoning - Mass Audubon Working for the Green Conference 2012 Transportation Guidelines •TDM – Devens EIR Goal: trip reduction of 15% •Reduce peak traffic flows, SOV, increase options for alt. trans. •MassDevelopment TMA – Devens Businesses Join Strategies: •Guaranteed Ride Home Program/Ride Sharing •Employee Education on transportation options •Flexible work hours/compress work weeks •Devens Shuttle Bus •Fitchburg Line Reverse Commute http://www.nrdc.org/energy/movingcooler/files/movingcooler.pdf Innovations in LU Planning and Zoning - Mass Audubon Working for the Green Conference 2012 Incentives: Expedited Permitting • Massachusetts Chapter 43 D • Modeled on DEC • Comm./Ind. Priority Development Sites • Community ID priority development sites (single or multiple lots) • Community establishes joint hearing board to issue permits within 180 days of application for the site (Con Com, ZBA, Planning Board). • State Funding and TA Innovations in LU Planning and Zoning - Mass Audubon Working for the Green Conference 2012 Incentives •Expedited Permitting (75 days) - combined board and more Stringent site plan Standards •Relaxed frontage requirements for more EE dev. Adaptive building re-use •RE Building and Electrical Permit Fee Reductions (Eglomise Designs) •Net Metering policy (municipal utility) •Building Reuse (expedited permitting 30 days) •GB Incentive Program (USGBC’s LEED Suite) LEED® certification = 15% fee refund •Education: LID and ZNE case studies Bio-filtration landscape Islands in New Parking Lot of Office Complex