Ad Hoc on Zoning & Reg Agreements | Feb. 11, 2025
The meeting focused on proposed changes to the form-based code, parking requirements and height limitations. A significant portion of the meeting pertained to reviewing regulations for large ground-mounted solar installations.
Watch the meeting. AI generated summary below. Correction welcome; see contact page.
Key Points
- Parking Minimums: Significant discussion surrounds the potential increase in parking minimums from one to two spots per unit. A few public commenters argue against this increase, and advocated for car-independent towns like Provincetown.
- Height Limitations: The committee debates lowering height limitations. Existing non-conforming structures are referenced as evidence that taller buildings don't necessarily negatively impact aesthetics.
- Short-Term Rentals: Concerns are raised about the potential for a surplus of market-rate housing to be converted into short-term rentals, leading to housing shortages and other issues. The committee acknowledges this as an open issue to be addressed in future meetings.
- Regulatory Agreements: The use of regulatory agreements to ensure year-round rentals in affordable housing units is discussed. The committee explores the possibility of using these agreements to address short-term rental concerns.
- Ground-Mounted Solar: A significant portion of the meeting is dedicated to reviewing the town's regulations for large ground-mounted solar installations. The committee discusses the balance between promoting renewable energy and protecting public health, safety, and welfare. They review recent legal precedents and the town's current standards, identifying potential areas for improvement.
- Enforcement: The committee discusses the challenges of enforcing deed restrictions on affordable housing units and preventing the illegal conversion of these units into short-term rentals.
- Affordability: The committee grapples with the challenges of defining and addressing affordability, acknowledging the limitations of using Area Median Income (AMI) as a sole metric and the need for more localized data.
- Large-Scale Development: Concerns are raised about the impact of large-scale housing developments on infrastructure and resources, leading to a discussion about prioritizing smaller-scale developments with a higher percentage of affordable units.
Highlights
- Discussion about parking requirements.
- Discussion of the legal framework governing large ground-mounted solar installations.
- A commitment to addressing open issues in future meetings.