Fiscal Impact Analysis Burlington Mall Road Rezoning Burlington, MA

The Burlington Mall Road began to take shape as a regional retail center in the 1960s and transformed to a highly desirable district with anchor institutions, commercial offices, and amenities by the 1980s. Today, the district, at the crossroads of Route 128 and Route 3, remains a strong regional job hub and the Town of Burlington wants to ensure it evolves and remains relevant long-term. The existing zoning excludes residential uses, provides limited capacity for additional square footage, and has resulted in a sprawling physical form.

Landwise undertook a fiscal impact analysis to demonstrate how a new mixed-use zoning could shape the Town's future fiscal landscape. Landwise prepared a series of market-driven development assumptions in coordination with design consultants. Our team also developed a set of cost and revenue factors in coordination with Town staff. A report and presentation materials summarize the assumptions underpinning the analysis and ultimately conclude that both the existing zoning and proposed mixed-use zoning will produce net-positive revenues to the Town, with the mixed-use zoning resulting in additional build-out capacity, higher property values, and higher net-positive revenue.

Ancillary benefits foreseen with the mixed-use zoning include additional housing supply, enhanced physical development patterns, and increased attractiveness of Burlington as an employment hub with lower vacancy rates. Despite the expenses that come with residential land use and population, mixed-use is advantageous for Burlington's long-term fiscal health. This analysis supported its enactment, and amendments to the Zoning Bylaw were approved by Town Meeting.