Description: Consider an Inclusionary Zoning ordinance
For prior reports refer to past Quarterly Reports on Council Goals.
February 28, 2005 Status: Revised Goal.
May 9, 2005 Status: On April 27, 2005, the Council held a work session on the Comprehensive Plan Housing Strategies. The Council decided to initiate a process to consider drafting an inclusionary zoning ordinance, and established a Council Committee to draft a proposal. The Council also decided to appoint a citizen’s committee to review the draft.
September 12, 2005 Status: On June 27, 2005, we reported to the Council with a proposed work plan for affordable housing initiatives. The Council adopted resolutions to: (1) establish a process and schedule for developing an inclusionary zoning ordinance; and (2) call a public hearing for September 26, 2005 to consider amending the Town’s Comprehensive Plan to include additional language for the payment-in-lieu option. On tonight’s agenda, there is an item asking that the Council adopt a charge for an Inclusionary Zoning Task Force.
November 21, 2005 Status: On September 21, 2005, the Council adopted a charge for an Inclusionary Zoning Task Force. To date, the Council has appointed 15 members to the Committee. We expect the Committee to hold its first meeting before the end of this year. On October 10, 2005, the Council adopted a resolution to amend the Comprehensive Plan better define the payment-in-lieu option. The Comprehensive Plan now states that payment-in-lieu fees are calculated as follows: “where the amount of the payment shall be calculated by multiplying the number of affordable housing units to be provided as calculated in option 1 (without dropping fractions) by an estimate of funding that would be needed to make a homeownership opportunity in the proposed development available to individuals and families with annual income at or below 80 percent of the area median income”.
February 13, 2006 Status: The Inclusionary Zoning Task Force continues to meet. There are currently 22 members on the Task Force. The Task Force expects to complete its work in March 2006, forward a recommendation to the Planning Board for review in June 2006, and recommend that the Council schedule a public hearing in September 2006 to consider a proposed ordinance.
May 8, 2006 Status: The Inclusionary Zoning Task Force continues to meet to discuss the potential components of an Inclusionary Zoning ordinance. The Task Force expects to forward a recommendation to the Planning Board for review in June 2006.
September 11, 2006 Status: The Inclusionary Zoning Task Force continues to meet to discuss the potential components of an Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance. A Committee met regularly over the summer. The Task Force expects to forward a recommendation to the Planning Board for review in the fall.
November 6, 2006 Status: The Task Force is in the process of developing its final report to present to the Planning Board. The final report will include a proposed ordinance and other suggestions for the Council’s consideration.
February 12, 2007 Status: The Task Force presented its final report to the Council on November 20, 2006. On January 22, 2007, the Council adopted a schedule to develop an inclusionary zoning ordinance, and authorized the Manger to enter into a Performance Agreement with the law firm of White and Smith, LLC to prepare an ordinance in final form for public review that is consistent with the elements proposed by the Task Force.