The higher commercial cap for Devens approved by the Legislature earlier this month is now law.
The provision, one of many in the $3.76 billion economic development package signed by Gov. Charlie Baker Nov. 10, increases the amount of land that can be developed for commercial use at Devens from 8.5 million square feet to 20.5 million square feet, more than doubling the previous cap. But that development must not exceed a dozen environmental metrics, from water use to paving for parking, set by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection in 2008 and managed by the Devens Enterprise Commission.
In a statement to the Press, MassDevelopment President and CEO Dan Rivera, head of the agency overseeing development of Devens, sought to reassure residents that further commercial development would have no detrimental effect on their community.
“The work of redeveloping Devens from Fort Devens has been effective because of the work of MassDevelopment, our partnership with the Devens Enterprise Commission, and the strict adherence to the reuse plan,” said Rivera.
“I can assure everyone that no increase in the commercial cap will change that discipline, which to date has resulted in thoughtful and responsible development.
“The passage of the new development cap will ensure that projects currently in the pipeline and future commercial development will continue to grow jobs and businesses at Devens. MassDevelopment will continue to work side by side with neighboring communities, residents, businesses, and all of our partners towards accomplishing the mission of the Devens Redevelopment Enterprise Zone.”
The economic development bill signed last week amends the 1994 law that established Devens by replacing the original 8.5 million commercial cap with language that allows the development of up to an additional 12 million square feet. Harvard, with the support of Ayer and Shirley, had sought to limit the new cap to 12 million square feet in total. The Devens Enterprise Commission had asked that the cap be removed entirely.
Chapter 498, as amended by House bill 5374 and signed into law by Gov. Baker on Nov. 10, 2022
SECTION 142. The ninth paragraph of section 10 of chapter 498 of the acts of 1993 is hereby amended by adding the following two sentences: Notwithstanding any general or special law or provision of the Reuse Plan or the Bylaws to the contrary, the total commercial and industrial building space to be developed in the Devens Regional Enterprise Zone shall be not more than 12,000,000 net new square feet. The commission may issue regulations regarding the calculation of total commercial and industrial building space.
