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a�a �riN Town ofLexington PLANNING BOARD Robert D.Peters, Chair 1625 Massachusetts Avenue Michael Schanbacher, Vice Chair j< f � ' Lexington MA 02420 Melanie Thompson, Clerk 'F t 1 ; ' ,�' Tel (781) 698-4560 Robert Creech,Member Charles Hornig, Member APRIL If � plannin CO,lexingtonma.goy www.lexingtonma.gov/planning Michael Leon, Associate Member RECOMMENDATION REPORT OF THE LEXINGTON PLANNING BOARD ARTICLE 35: AMEND ZONING BYLAW—SUPPLEMENTAL INCLUSIONARY HOUSING REQUIREMENTS RECOMMENDATION On Wednesday, February 15, 2023, after three public hearings, the Planning Board unanimously voted five (5) in favor and none (0) opposed, to recommend that Town Meeting refer Article 35 for Supplemental Inclusionary Housing Requirements to the Planning Board. RATIONALE FOR RECOMMENDATION The Department of Housing & Community Development (DHCD)'s Compliance Guidelines for Multi family Zoning Districts permit municipalities to require 10%of units in a project to be affordable units with a cap on the income of households not less than 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI). DHCD may approve a greater percentage of affordable units over 10%, but never more than 20%, if a third party provides an economic feasibility analysis of the zoning demonstrating that the variety of housing units can be feasibly be developed. The Planning Board initially placed this article on the warrant separately from Article 34 with the intent of performing the study and requiring more 10%of a project's units to be affordable. After consultation with Town Counsel, the Board has incorporated all affordable housing language into the motion under Article 34. PUBLIC PROCESS: On Wednesday, February 1, 2023, after publication of the legal advertisement in the Lexington Minuteman Newspaper on January 12, 2023 and January 19, 2023, the Planning Board opened the public hearing. Continued public hearings were held on February 8 and February 15. The public hearing closed on February 15 and the Board voted to refer the matter to the Planning Board. Over 200 people attended the February 1St public hearing. A total of 94 written comments were submitted during the public hearings and considered by the Planning Board. The Board carefully considered all testimony and comments to develop the zoning proposal being presented to Town Meeting. RECORD OF THE VOTE: Michael Schanbacher moved that the Planning Board recommend that Town Meeting refer Article 35 to the Planning Board. Melanie Thompson seconded the motion.The Planning Board voted in favor of the motion 5-0- Page 1 of 2 Planning Board Report with Recommendation to Town Meeting Article 35