Town of Arlington, Fair Housing Action Plan (July 2021)

Citation: Town of Arlington, Fair Housing Action Plan (July 2021)
Jurisdiction: Arlington (municipal)
Source: Official source
Original Source: https://www.arlingtonma.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/57214/637641171662530000 ↗

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• Strategy C: Reform the Zoning Bylaw to encourage development that increases fair housing choice.
o Reduce the overall complexity of the Zoning Bylaw through recodification.
o Allow two-family development by right in nominally single-family districts where two-family
dwellings were historically commonplace.
o Allow three-family, townhouse, and multifamily housing options by right in districts nominally
meant for them.
o In districts intended for higher densities, only allow single-family developments by Special Permit,
if at all.
o Amend restrictive dimensional and parking requirements for multifamily uses that make
development infeasible in districts where those uses are appropriate.
o Explore zoning amendments that would allow the conversion of large existing single-family homes
to two- and three-family homes.
o Explore zoning amendments that would allow two- and three-family homes in single-family
districts where the total building size is similar to that of abutting single-family homes.
o Ensure zoning conforms with new state-level requirements for MBTA communities.
o Provide loans or grants to homeowners to develop accessory dwelling units in exchange for
affordability restrictions.
o Raise the threshold for EDR review, particularly on major corridors, replacing that review with
performance standards for new developments.
o Limit subjective criteria in discretionary reviews, eliminate review standards that perpetuate
segregation, and define clear performance and design standards that projects will be reviewed
against.
o Consider distinct density and dimensional regulations for development that is 100% affordable
housing.
o Consider approvals by right for developments that are 100% affordable housing.