Boston Mayor Michelle Wu proposed targeted adjustments to Boston zoning policies in an effort to reduce monetary and logistical barriers to development in the city.
Generally, the changes simplify or reduce benchmarks set for developers in the mayor’s Inclusionary Development and Linkage policies.
Specific adjustments would entail:
- An extension to the payment schedule for affordable housing payments from two to seven payments.
- A reduction of the condominium payment-in-lieu fee from 75% to 50% of the difference between market-rate and income-restricted unit values.
- A temporary change that would exempt projects with fewer than 10 units from complying with inclusionary zoning policies. The former benchmark was seven units.
- A widening of the off-site radius, which currently sits at 0.5 miles. This means a development’s off-site affordable units could now be built further away from its associated market-rate units.
Wu cited economic pressure as the impetus for simplifying the development process.
“In the face of continued economic headwinds exacerbated by federal actions, we are making targeted adjustments to help more projects move forward and create more affordability,” said Wu in a press release. “This balanced approach is part of our administration’s broader strategy to build more homes, remove barriers to development and ensure Boston remains a city where residents can afford to stay and thrive.”
Local developer Abe Menzin expressed approval of the proposal.
“We support the proposed changes to [the Inclusionary Development and Linkage] policy as a creative approach to encouraging more development while preserving the policy’s commitment to affordable housing,” said Menzin, who serves as executive vice president of development and principal at Samuels & Associates.
He continued, “Creating a more sustainable framework for developers to meet their affordable housing obligations, while also supporting development of market-rate housing in challenging conditions, is critical to addressing the city’s housing needs.”