The Zoning & Planning Committee voted to hold the following (see report and watch the meeting video):
- Requesting re-evaluation and possible amendments to Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance (8–0) Planning & Development Director Barney Heath, Housing Program Manager Shaylyn Davis-Iannaco, and Kyle Talente from RKG Associates discussed their recommendations:
- Recommendation 1 – Elimination of the two-tier systems of affordability from the Current Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance by simplifying the definition of an inclusionary unit to mean any deed restricted housing unit priced to be affordable to households with annual gross incomes at or below 80% of Area Median income (AMI). Developers are choosing the other tier (110% of AMI) because they are able to charge more for rent. Committee agreed with recommendation.
- Recommendation 2 – Keep a graduated IZ Percentage Formula Based on Project Size. The chair suggested that the Planning Department do more analysis of this recommendation and come back to Z&P before the public hearing.
- Recommendation 3 – Leave the Area Median Income (AMI) threshold at an average of 65% of AMI for rental projects. The committee agreed with this recommendation
- Recommendation 4 – Keep the minimum unit threshold for Inclusionary Zoning applicability at 7 units and allow a by-right cash-in-lieu payment option for 7-19 units. The committee was divided on this recommendation.
- Recommendation 5 – Adjust the current “round up” rule when calculating the number of inclusionary units required to a “partial unit payment rule”. The committee agreed with this recommendation.
- Recommendation 6 – Keep the total development cost (TDC) cash in-lieu standard at $650,000 and revisit calculation in 3 years
- Recommendation 7 – Provide a concrete definition of “unusual net benefit”. “The Chair noted a majority of the Committee supported leaving “unusual net benefit” as it currently is in the ordinance.”
- Recommendation 8 – Remove the second requirement of under the Public Funding Limitation provision. The Committee supported the recommendation.
- Recommendation 9 – Remove supportive services agreement from Extremely Low-Income (ELI) provision . To the City’s knowledge, the services have not been used.
- Recommendation 10 – Replace the cash payment-in-lieu calculation under Elder Housing with Services with the standards set forth in 5.11.5, The City said “the current alternative compliance or cash payment in-lieu option for the elder housing with services option under the IZ ordinance is confusing” and recommended returning to the previous standards. The Committee supported the recommendation.
- Discussion and Possible Amendment to Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance to include Training (8-0) Discussed with the above item.
- Discussion and possible amendments to remove or reduce parking minimums for commercial uses in commercial centers (8-0) Held for discussion at the July Z&P meeting.
- Reappointment of Harvey Schorr to the Newton Historical Commission (8-0) Term of office ends on June 21, 2028.
Present: Councilors Baker (Chair), Oliver, Albright, Wright, Krintzman, Kalis, Getz, and Danberg
Also Present: Councilors Farrell, Lucas, Malakie, Greenberg, and Block
City Staff: Deputy Director of Planning Jen Caira, Senior Assistant City Solicitor Andrew Lee, Planning & Development Director Barney Heath, Housing Program Manager Shaylyn Davis-Iannaco, Director of Housing and Community Development Lara Kritzer, Economic Development Director John Sisson, and ADA Coordinator Jini Fairley
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