DRI thresholds increased for R&D, light manufacturing in targeted areas

On May 8, 2014, the Cape Cod Commission approved the first increased thresholds under authority granted by the elected Assembly of Delegates last fall. Chapter H of the Commission’s Code of Regulations allows for increases in developments of regional impact (DRI) review thresholds by the Commission.

Approved  was a revised DRI threshold of up to 40,000 square feet for proposed Research & Development and Light Manufacturing Uses in the following designated areas:

• Jonathan Bourne Drive, Bourne                       • Edgerton Drive, Falmouth

• Falmouth Technology Park, Falmouth           • Sandwich Industrial Park, Sandwich

The Commission sought the authority to increase DRI thresholds to support its mandate to ensure balanced economic development in the region. Many of the original DRI thresholds included in the Commission Act changed through the adoption of county ordinances over the years. However, certain current DRI thresholds continue to require Commission DRI review of projects that would otherwise provide beneficial economic development and are sited in appropriate locations.

Chapter H was created in 2009 to allow towns the opportunity to raise or lower DRI thresholds within their borders. To date, no town has applied to raise DRI thresholds. Towns retain the right to refer any project to the Commission for review as a discretionary DRI if they saw a need based on the proposed development.

The limited areas for which threshold relief was provided represent an initial, but not last step for the use of Chapter H. Interest has already been expressed by several towns in pursuing other such designations at locations across the Cape.