Ad Hoc Committee to Assess and Recommend Strategies for Housing Creation | March 28, 2025

The main focus of this meeting is finalizing a report to present to the Town Council.

Key Points

• Public Comment: Public comments raise concerns about the lack of affordability in smaller housing developments (under 10 units).
• Inclusionary Zoning: A significant portion of the discussion centers on inclusionary zoning, specifically the percentage of affordable units required in developments of different sizes. The committee grapples with whether to adjust the current threshold of 10 units.
• Funding Sources: The committee explores potential funding sources for affordable housing, including a transfer fee on houses sold above a certain price and increasing the percentage of Community Preservation Act (CPA) funding allocated to housing.
• Town Resources: The committee discusses utilizing town-owned property and land for affordable housing development and the need for dedicated staff to assist developers, monitor compliance, and market affordable housing initiatives.
• Enforcement: Concerns are raised about the lack of effective enforcement mechanisms for affordability obligations in existing developments.
• Last-Minute Suggestions: Several new items are proposed at this last meeting, at the last minute in the committee process. Committee members objected to new items and any changes to items voted previously. The committee decides to table many of these due to the fact that they were not raised during the committee process and the lack of prior committee discussion.
• Report Finalization: The committee works to finalize the report's language, ensuring accuracy and consistency with previous votes and discussions. The meeting concludes with a plan to finalize the report and present it to the Town Council, with opportunities for public comment.