COMMUNITY BENEFIT AGREEMENTS: A NEW LOCAL GOVERNMENT TOOL OR ANOTHER VARIATION ON THE EXACTIONS THEME?June 16th, 2009
FiledJune 16th, 2009A community benefits agreement (“CBA”) results from negotiations between a developer proposing a particular land use and a coalition of community organizations that claims to represent the individuals and groups affected by the proposed development (or seeks to do so).1 In a typical CBA, community members agree to support the developer’s proposed project, or at least promise not to oppose the project or to invoke procedural devices or legal challenges that might delay or derail the project. In return, the developer agrees to provide to the community such benefits as assurances of local jobs, affordable housing and environmental improvements.2