On July 21, 2014, the Planning Commission made a recommendation that the City Council approve, with suggestions, the Commonwealth Corporate Center project at 151 Commonwealth and 164 Jefferson Drive. The proposed project is a 259,920 square-foot office and/or research and development complex. As part of the recommendation, the Planning Commission deferred the discussion of public benefit to the City Council as a policy issue. In the proposal, the applicant is offering a number of public benefits, including a minimum sales tax guarantee of $75,000 per year for a 10-year period after the building is occupied. The Commission indicated they could not determine the appropriate amount, but thought the City Council would best determine the optimal outcome for the community. The applicant also offered to construct the building at the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold standard or equivalent. The Planning Commission recommends that the City Council consider greater energy efficiencies for the project.

The City Council consider the Planning Commission’s recommendations (and be the final decision-making body on the application) at its August 19, 2014, meeting. Since the proposal is requesting rezoning, the meeting of August 19th would serve to introduce the ordinance and a second meeting (tentatively scheduled for August 26) would be required to  formally adopt the rezoning of the property.