Article 45 - Zoning Bylaw Amendment: Section 10.2.3.6 Planned Residential Development - Density Bonus

ARTICLE 45. To determine whether the Town will amend Zoning Bylaw Section 10.2.3.6 (Density bonus) to delete a category of affordable units that would qualify for a density bonus, so that paragraph (a) of the Section reads as follows (deletions are shown in grey highlighted strikeout and changes in grey highlighted bold italics for emphasis only. Where a portion of a section is quoted, other sections shall remain unchanged); or take any other action relative thereto:

10.2.3.6 Density bonus: Increases beyond the basic density within the Planned Residential Development may be authorized by the Board based upon one or more of the following:

(a) If at least ten percent (10%) of the units are made available as described in subsection 10.2.3.1 and 10.2.3.2. If only one unit is required, it shall be made available as described in subsection 10.2.3.1 10.2.3.2 paragraph (a), and if two or more units are required, then at least 50% of the affordable units shall be made available as described in subsection 10.2.3.1 10.2.3.2 paragraph (a).

Article Explanation

Recent development projects in Concord have increased the number of housing units countable on the Town’s Subsidized Housing Inventory (SHI) above the 10% required by Mass. Gen. Laws. Chapter 40B to 12.8% of Concord’s 7,172 year-round housing units. While there is still a need for “affordable units” (those made available only to households making below 80% of area median income (AMI)), there is also a need for “workforce” units (which are available to households making between 100% and 150% of AMI). Currently, Concord has only 36 workforce units compared to 421 affordable units.

To address this, the Select Board adopted a FY 2025 goal to enhance the diversity of the Town’s affordable housing stock by adding more workforce housing. The Town has also committed $500,000 in ARPA funds to subsidize the development of workforce housing. 

This proposed zoning bylaw amendment revises the criteria for density bonuses in Planned Residential Developments to align with the Town’s workforce housing objectives. It removes the existing requirement that provides a density bonus for 80% AMI units only, so applicants could qualify for additional density with a combination of starter-priced housing (up to 110% of AMI) and moderately priced housing (up to 150% of AMI) as well. These units would require a smaller developer investment than 80% AMI units, which could motivate applicants to include them to gain Board approval for higher density.

Article Motion

Mr. Johnson moves that the Town take affirmative action on Article 45 as printed in the Warrant.