Ad Hoc Committee on Zoning and Regulatory Agreements | Jan 31, 2025

This meeting focuses on reviewing and assessing zoning regulations, specifically addressing public comments and proposed changes to parking minimums, and building height restrictions. A portion of the discussion centers on the potential impact of the Dover Amendment and a proposed homeless shelter relocation.

Watch the meeting. AI generated summary of meeting video below. Corrections are welcome; see contact page.

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Key Points

• Parking Minimums: The committee discussed increasing parking minimums from one space per unit to potentially 1.5 or 2, citing concerns about outdated parking studies and feedback from the community and property owners. A suggestion for a permitting system to address affordable housing parking needs was raised but was generally considered impractical.
• Building Height Restrictions: The committee proposed lowering maximum building heights from four stories to three, with a possible exception for three-and-a-half stories if the rooftop includes active space (restaurants, rooftop amenities). The discussion included exploring incentives for developers to increase affordable housing units in exchange for height bonuses.
• Short-Term Rentals: This topic was mentioned.
• Dover Amendment: A significant portion of the meeting addressed concerns about the Dover Amendment, which allows certain uses (like schools, churches, and now potentially shelters) to bypass local zoning regulations. The committee expressed uncertainty about its ability to directly address this issue.
• Homeless Shelter Relocation: A public commenter raised concerns about the planned relocation of a homeless shelter, highlighting the associated costs and lack of community engagement in the decision-making process. The commenter suggested exploring a pilot program for payments in lieu of taxes to better manage the relationship between the town and the housing assistance corporation.
• Climate Resiliency and Biodiversity: A committee member presented suggestions for incorporating climate resiliency and biodiversity considerations into the zoning ordinance, including tree preservation, native plantings, and bird-friendly building design. These suggestions emphasized the importance of mitigating the impacts of climate change and protecting local ecosystems.

Highlights

• Extensive public comment highlighting community concerns about the proposed zoning changes and the homeless shelter relocation.
• Detailed discussion of the Dover Amendment and its potential implications.
• A committee member's presentation on incorporating environmental considerations into the zoning ordinance, including tree preservation, climate resiliency, and bird-friendly building design.
• Lively debate about balancing the needs of developers, affordable housing, and the community's concerns.
• Scheduling of future committee meetings.