Northborough Council proposes affordable housing bylaw to address zoning and developer concerns

In a recent meeting held by the Northborough Select Board, discussions centered on the introduction of an affordable housing bylaw aimed at addressing the town's housing needs. This initiative comes in response to ongoing conversations about the town's housing stock and the necessity to maintain a minimum of 10% affordable housing to comply with state regulations.

The proposed bylaw would require developers to include affordable units in any new development of ten or more units. Specifically, developers would need to allocate 15% of their units as affordable housing. This figure was determined based on a feasibility study that indicated such a requirement would be manageable for developers. To incentivize compliance, the bylaw also includes a density bonus, allowing developers to build additional units beyond the minimum requirement, thereby offsetting the costs associated with the affordable units.

The Select Board emphasized the importance of this bylaw in preventing developers from circumventing affordable housing requirements by constructing smaller projects with fewer than ten units. By setting the threshold at ten units, the town aims to capture larger developments that can significantly contribute to its affordable housing inventory.

During the meeting, board members discussed the implications of the proposed bylaw, including its potential to enhance the town's subsidized housing inventory. It was confirmed that any affordable units created under this bylaw would count towards the town's compliance with state housing mandates, which is crucial for maintaining Northborough's status above the 10% threshold.

Community members expressed support for the bylaw, recognizing its role in ensuring that new developments contribute to the town's affordable housing stock. However, concerns were raised about the impact of smaller market-rate developments that could still threaten the town's compliance if not balanced with ongoing affordable housing projects.

In addition to the affordable housing discussions, the board also addressed the acceptance of $30,000 in economic development earmark funds for the Blake Pierce Street Streetscape Improvement Project. This funding, which must be utilized by June 30, 2025, is part of the town's efforts to enhance its infrastructure and community spaces.

Overall, the meeting underscored Northborough's commitment to addressing housing challenges while balancing development needs with community interests. The proposed affordable housing bylaw represents a proactive step towards ensuring sustainable growth and compliance with state housing requirements.