City Council set to decide on major zoning changes

In a recent government meeting, officials discussed a significant zoning proposal that could reshape a vacant property in the city. The proposal involves the CMX 5 and CMX 8 zoning classifications, which allow for varying building heights and densities, particularly incentivizing affordable housing development.

Under the CMX 5 zoning, buildings can reach up to five stories, with a potential increase to seven stories if affordable housing is included, translating to a maximum height of 95 feet. However, within a designated protected district buffer, the height is capped at 75 feet. The CMX 8 zoning, applicable to the northern portion of the site, permits up to eight stories, with the possibility of extending to 12 stories under similar affordable housing incentives, reaching heights of up to 150 feet, though again limited to 75 feet within the buffer zone.

The property in question has undergone a Large Development Review (LDR), a process that, while not mandatory, was voluntarily pursued by the applicant. This review includes a comprehensive concept plan detailing proposed land uses, open spaces, and circulation networks, with a strong emphasis on affordable housing and infrastructure improvements. The LDR process began with a pre-application meeting in May of the previous year, followed by a community information session in October, and culminated in the approval of the signed large development framework in February.

Currently, an Infrastructure Master Plan is underway, and the proposal has been disseminated for informational notice since May. It was presented to the Planning Board last month and is set for a public hearing at the City Council on September 16th. This meeting marks a crucial step in determining the future development of the site, with community input and council decisions poised to influence the landscape of the area significantly.