1. Inclusionary Zoning Solutions - May 14, 2014
Session A1: Effective Inclusionary Zoning
Moderator:
Madeline Colety AICP, Abt Associates
<Madeline_Colety@abtassoc.com>
Panelists:
Laura Wiener AICP, Director of Housing, Arlington
Michelle Collette AICP, Town Planner, Groton
Linda Prosnitz, Housing Planner, Cambridge
Kristen Las AICP, Principal Planner, Shrewsbury
ARLINGTON CAMBRIDGE GROTON SHREWSBURY
Mandatory or
voluntary
Mandatory Mandatory
Mandatory with Special Permit
projects
Voluntary, ability to build
dwellings on larger lots with
larger frontages as an exception
Minimum size of
project that triggers
bylaw
6 units 10 units or 10,000 square feet
2 units for Subsidized Elderly
Housing; 6 in TCOD; 10 in
subdivisions
5 lots or units
% of project that
must be affordable
15% 15% of base units
50% for Subsidized Elderly
Housing; 15% in TCOD;
15% in subdivisions
Varies based upon zoning district:
10-25%
(See PowerPoint)
Affordability
period
Perpetuity Life of the building Perpetuity Perpetuity
Maximum income
of occupants (% of
median income)
Rental: 70%
Ownership: 80%
80% of 100% of AMI
DHCD Guidelines:
Low income – 50% Moderate
income – 80%
80%
Buyout allowed?
Yes, in exceptional
circumstances
Never, would have to prove
significant hardship
No, not any more
Yes, by Special Permit with the
Planning Board
Incentives/offsets Reduced parking requirement Bonus unit and additional FAR Incentive lots or units
Smaller lot sizes for some zoning
districts
Total units created
52 units total:
10 ownership, 42 rental
767 total:
194 homeownership,
573 rental
100 units constructed units to
date; 12 approved & not yet
constructed
18 total since bylaw was adopted
in 2005

2. ARLINGTON CAMBRIDGE GROTON SHREWSBURY
Quick tip/
Words of advice
80% of median is too high for
renters.
Require comparable parking.
Require affordable units rather
than buy out; administer clear
and predictable process
Be flexible in working with all
parties
Education is key as inclusionary
zoning is confusing. You can
change the bylaw over time to
tweak what will work best for
your municipality.
Link to bylaw
http://www.arlingtonma.gov/Publ
ic_Documents/ArlingtonMA_Zoni
ngBylaws/article11.pdf
Section 11.08
http://www.cambridgema.gov/
~/media/Files/CDD/ZoningDev
el/Ordinance2/zo_article11_13
59.ashx
http://ecode360.com/9078542
http://www.shrewsbury-
ma.gov/egov/docs/1389212943_
415191.pdf
Section VII.K
Contact person
Laura Wiener, AICP
Director of Housing
<LWiener@town.arlington.ma.us>
Linda Prosnitz
Housing Project Planner
<lprosnitz@cambridgema.gov>
Michelle Collette, AICP Land Use
Director/Town Planner
<mcollette@townofgroton.org>
Kristen Las, AICP
Principal Planner
<klas@shrewsburyma.gov>