Matters ▸ Attachment
FINAL ADOPTED Inclusionary Housing Ordinance — File 200102
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CITY OF SOMERVILLE
ORDINANCE NO. 2016-06
IN THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN: May 9, 2016
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE INCLUSIONARY HOUSING PROVISIONS OF
THE SOMERVILLE ZONING ORDINANCE AND INCREASING REQUIRED
AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN NEW DEVELOPMENTS
WHEREAS, Development pressure in Somerville is jeopardizing the affordability of our City’s
housing stock; causing displacement; threatening the socioeconomic and demographic diversity
that is so essential to our City’s character; jeopardizing the ability of Somerville families to
continue their children’s educations in the Somerville Public School system; and making it
increasingly unaffordable to live, work, play, and raise a family in the City we call home; and,
WHEREAS, Permits for new housing development continue to be approved and are subject only
to the existing and outdated inclusionary zoning requirements, while the City develops a new
zoning code which will likely include higher inclusionary requirements; and,
WHEREAS, any such new zoning will not be enacted until sometime after mid-2016, causing
Somerville to lose out on dozens and perhaps hundreds of new inclusionary units that would
have been developed under the anticipated higher requirements; and,
WHEREAS, we anticipate that certain other changes will be made to the inclusionary housing
provisions in the full zoning overhaul, but the following changes are urgent; now,
THEREFORE, be it adopted by the Board of Aldermen, in session assembled, that the below
listed sections of the Somerville Zoning Ordinance are hereby amended as identified.
1. Article 6, Table 6.5F, Row K is hereby deleted.
2. Article 9, Section 9.13, is amended as follows:
Where “a through f” appears: replace with “a through g”
Add, after item “f”, item “g” as follows:
g. Inclusionary Housing: Projects incorporating inclusionary housing per Article 13 may
reduce the total number of parking spaces. An applicant shall submit documentary
evidence that parking is adequate to serve the development.
3. Article 13 is hereby amended as follows:
Section 13.1. Purpose.
The purpose of this Article is to promote the public welfare by:
a) encouraging housing opportunities for people of mixed income levels;
b) increasing the supply of housing that is available and affordable to low- and moderate-
income people, with an emphasis on the type of housing currently most needed in the
City — housing for households with children and for low-income households;
c) ensuring that such housing is affordable over the long term; and
d) preventing the displacement of low-to-moderate income Somerville residents; and
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e) maintaining an economically integrated community; and
f) mitigating the impacts of market-rate housing on the supply and cost of low- and
moderate-income housing in that the creation of new market-rate housing:
1. decreases the available supply of future developable land in the City of Somerville;
2. creates upward pressure on the pricing of all housing in the City of Somerville;
3. exclusive of the creation of low- and moderate-income housing, impedes the goal of
maintaining an economically integrated community.
This Article provides incentive for the voluntary development of housing affordable to low- and
moderate-income households within applicable residential projects that are larger in terms of
total number of dwelling units and/or density than that normally permissible by right. Developers
may request approval of such development through the special permit with site plan review
process set forth in Article 5 and in accordance with the provisions of this Article 13. The
Special Permit Granting Authority (SPGA) shall have sole authority to review and approve such
requests under the provisions of Article 5 and 13 herein.
It is intended that affordable housing units provided under the terms herein be located on-site
within the proposed housing development. Off-site location or other in-lieu means of compliance
with this Article may be approved by the SPGA only in strict accordance with the provisions of
this Article authorizing such alternative means.
Section 13.2. Applicability.
The provisions of this Article shall apply to all residential developments seeking special permits
with site plan review to develop 6 or more dwelling units, whether new construction, substantial
rehabilitation, Planned Unit Development, residential conversion, or adaptive reuse.
Developments shall not be segmented or phased in a manner to avoid compliance with these
provisions. No provisions of this Article shall substitute for any other provisions of this
Ordinance.
Amendments to this Article shall become effective on the day of passage by the Board of
Aldermen, but shall not apply to any project that has received approval for a Special Permit with
Site Plan Review prior to date of the vote of the Board of Aldermen to adopt said amendment.
Nothing contained in this Article shall be construed to apply to the use of land or structures for
religious or educational purposes in the University District or in any other district if doing so
would violate the applicable provisions of M.G.L. Chapter 40A, Section 3.
Section 13.3. General Requirements.
13.3.1. Implementation Plan. Those developers seeking special permits with site plan review for
projects subject to compliance with this Article shall submit a full, written proposal of the
methods to be used in providing affordable dwelling units that conform with all requirements
herein. At the time of application for a special permit with site plan review for inclusionary
housing, the applicant shall submit, for SPGA review and approval, an implementation plan in
accordance with the Rules and Regulations established under Section 13.7.1, and shall include, at
minimum:
a) the methods of disposition of the affordable housing units,
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b) provisions for the selection of buyers or tenants of the affordable units,
c) plans for income verification of tenants and/or buyers,
d) plans for management of units, particularly with respect to maintenance and insurance of
long-term affordability,
e) financial information or analysis necessary to satisfy the provisions of this Article,
particularly Sections 13.3.3, 13.3.5 and 13.4.2,
f) a relocation plan for tenants affected by substantial rehabilitation projects,
g) and any additional information the Applicant desires to present that demonstrates
compliance with other provisions of this Article.
The SPGA may request additional information as an aid in its review, and may reject any
application not providing the minimum implementation plan elements noted above.
13.3.2. Household Income. Inclusionary dwelling units which will be available for rental shall be
affordable to low- and moderate-income households as defined below, adjusted to applicable
household size:
a) Tier R1 households, defined herein as earning income up to fifty percent (50%) of the
Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, MA-NH HUD Metro FMR Area published annually by the
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; and
b) Tier R2 households, defined herein as earning income of fifty-one percent (51%) to
eighty percent (80%) of the Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, MA-NH HUD Metro FMR
Area published annually by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
c) Tier R3 households, defined herein as earning income of eighty-one percent (81%) to
one hundred ten percent (110%) of Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, MA-NH HUD Metro
FMR Area published annually by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development.
Inclusionary dwelling units which will be available for purchase shall be affordable to low-
moderate and moderate- income households as defined below, adjusted to applicable household
size:
a) Tier P1 households, defined herein as earning up to eighty percent (80%) of the Boston-
Cambridge-Quincy, MA-NH HUD Metro FMR Area published annually by the U.S.
Department of Housing and Urban Development; and
b) Tier P2 households, defined herein as earning income of eighty one (81%) to one
hundred and ten percent (110%) of the Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, MA-NH HUD Metro
FMR Area published annually by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development; and
c) Tier P3 households, defined herein as earning income of one hundred and ten (110%) to
one hundred and forty (140%) of the Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, MA-NH HUD Metro
FMR Area published annually by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development.
The SPGA may adopt other Federal or State income guidelines, such as those of the U.S.
Department of Housing and Urban Development adjusted to applicable household size, but only
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after consideration of any comments offered by the Planning Board, Planning Office, and the
Office of Housing and Community Development on the appropriateness of any such alternative
method. The SPGA shall conduct a public hearing in accordance with its Rules and Regulations
to receive comment prior to adopting another standard. In adopting any such separate
standard(s), the SPGA shall cause such standard(s) to be published in a format available to the
public, and shall utilize such standard consistently among all similar projects it reviews.
13.3.3. Affordability. Housing affordability under this Article means:
I. Rental
Payment of housing and related costs for rental units shall be set at the following levels:
a) in the case of Tier R1 households, rental costs (including utility costs for heat,
electricity, water, and hot-water, and including access to all amenities that are typically
offered to a tenant in the building, such as parking, access to an onsite gymnasium, and
other such amenities) shall be set at a level not to exceed the then current "LOW
HOME" RENTS published by HUD for its Home Investment Partnership Program at
24 CFR 92 as they may be amended from time to time. These rents are set by HUD to
be affordable to households with incomes up to fifty (50) percent of area median
income.
b) in the case of Tier R2 households, rental costs (including utility costs for heat,
electricity, water, and hot water, and including access to all amenities that are typically
offered to a tenant in the building, such as parking, access to an onsite gymnasium, and
other such amenities) shall be set at a level not to exceed the then current "HIGH
HOME" RENTS published by HUD for its Home Investment Partnership Program at
24 CFR 92 as they may be amended from time to time. These rents are set by HUD to
be affordable to households with up to eighty (80) percent of area median income.
c) In the case of Tier R3 households, rental costs (including utility costs for heat,
electricity, water, and hot water, and including access to all amenities that are typically
offered to a tenant in the building, such as parking, access to an onsite gymnasium, and
other such amenities) shall be set at a level not to exceed the 30% of income for a
household making up to 110% of area median income. These rents are set to be
affordable to households with up to one hundred ten (110) percent of area median
income.
II. Homeownership
The maximum sale price for an inclusionary unit shall be set at a level that allows a household at
the designated Tier to pay no more than twenty-eight (28) percent of household income for
housing costs. The maximum sales price shall be calculated as follows:
• Determine the maximum household size for an inclusionary unit based on one (1) person per
bedroom (one (1) person in the case of a studio).
• Determine the maximum monthly income (MMI) for such household size, using income figures
published annually by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for
households at eighty (80) percent and one hundred ten (110) percent of Boston area median
income.
• Multiply MMI by twenty-eight (28) percent.
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• Subtract the estimated cost of Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI), Real Estate Taxes (RET),
Condominium Fees (CF), Homeowners Insurance (HI) if not included in the CF, and required
parking fees (PF), if any, if not included in the CF, to arrive at a maximum monthly mortgage
payment (MMP).
• Calculate a maximum mortgage loan (MML) based on the MMP, assuming a 30-year term and
at the then current conventional interest rate.
• Multiple the MML by 1.03 to arrive at a Maximum Sales Price (MSP) based on a ninety-seven
(97) percent MML.
The SPGA may adopt other Federal or State affordability guidelines, such as those of the U.S.
Department of Housing and Urban Development adjusted to applicable household size, but only
after consideration of any comments offered by the Planning Board, Planning Office, and the
Office of Housing and Community Development on the appropriateness of any such alternative
method. The SPGA shall conduct a public hearing in accordance with its Rules and Regulations
to receive comment prior to adopting another standard. In adopting any such separate
standard(s), the SPGA shall cause such standard(s) to be published in a format available to the
public, and shall utilize such standard consistently among all similar projects it reviews.
13.3.4. Quantity and Distribution of Units. Developers shall provide a set percentage of the total
units in the subject development as affordable housing units. Nothing in this Article shall
preclude a developer from providing more affordable units than the minimum or from providing
deeper subsidies than established by the ordinance.
The percentage shall be as established in the Table 13.3.4.A, below:
Table 13.3.4.A: Required Inclusionary Units
Total Number of Units
Required inclusionary units
0 to 5 units
No inclusionary requirement
6 units
1 on-site unit OR fractional payment for 0.4 units
7 units
1 on-site unit OR fractional payment for 0.6 units
8 to 17 units
17.5%
18 or more units
20%
For projects in all zoning districts other than RA and RB zones, which contain all inclusionary
units on site, additional housing units may be permitted by adjusting the permitted lot area per
dwelling unit as established in Table 13.3.4.B, below:
Table 13.3.4.B: Unit Bonuses
Total Number of Units Permitted by the
Lot Area per Dwelling Unit as Established
Elsewhere in the SZO
Reduction in Lot Area per Dwelling Unit
(%)
up to 17 units
no bonus
18 or more units
17.5%
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Inclusionary dwelling units within a development shall be affordable to households based on the
income tiers, as set forth in Section 13.3.2 and provided as follows in Table 13.3.4.C:
Table 13.3.4.C: Unit Tiers
Number of
Affordable Units
Tier R1 or P1
Tier R2 or P2
Tier R3 or P3
Projects with 1 to 5 Units
1
1
-
-
2
1
1
-
3
2
1
-
4
2
2
-
5
2
2
1
Each Additional 8 Units
1st
+1
2nd
+1
3rd
+1
4th
+1
5th
+1
6th
+1
7th
+1
8th
+1
When a fractional unit is required, the developer may satisfy his/her obligation by means of the
alternative methods of compliance specified in Section 13.4.
In general, affordable units provided under terms of this Article shall be provided on-site in the
subject residential development. The affordable housing units shall be intermixed with the
market rate units, dispersed throughout the building(s) on the development site, and shall be
comparable to market-rate units in every respect, including location, quality and character, room
size, and external appearance. The bedroom distribution in the affordable units should be
consistent with the purposes of this Article and should include two- (2) and three- (3) bedroom
units.
Construction of off-site units or other alternative methods of compliance with the normal
requirement for construction of on-site affordable units is strongly discouraged, and shall be an
exception to the City's policy and intention to require construction of affordable units on the
same site as the proposed market rate development. The SPGA may authorize or require that
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affordable housing units be provided off-site, or that an alternative method of compliance be
used, consistent with Section 13.4 of this Article.
13.3.5. Disposition and SPGA Right of First Refusal/Option to Purchase. Affordable housing
units may be either for sale or for rent, consistent with the method of disposition of market-rate
units. Developers may propose any method(s) of disposition of affordable units consistent with
the intent and specific standards of this Article, but the SPGA alone shall have the authority to
approve any proposals and may require specific methods of disposition related to its findings
under special permit with site plan review.
The SPGA or its designee (the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, Somerville Housing Authority,
or other entity) reserve the right of first refusal or option to purchase all "affordable" for-sale
units at the point of original sale or any subsequent resale. This also applies to any subsequent
sale of a rental property or units in a rental property.
A. Rental Units. Developers may rent affordable units to eligible low- and/or moderate- income
tenants consistent with the provisions of Sections 13.3.2, 13.3.3 and 13.3.4 of this Article.
Priority shall be established by the SPGA and incorporated in the Rules and Regulations per
Section 13.7.1. Priority for units shall be granted to current or recently displaced residents of the
City of Somerville to the extent permitted by state and federal law; however, in the case of a
substantial rehabilitation, current resident tenants meeting appropriate income qualifications of
Section 13.3.2 shall be given priority.
B. For-Sale Units. The SPGA may require developers to sell inclusionary affordable units to the
Somerville Housing Authority (SHA) or its designee (the Affordable Housing Trust Fund or
other entity) at a price per unit equivalent to that price affordable to a household with an income
of eighty-five percent (85%) of the Boston SMSA median income. The SPGA/designee may
resell the units to low/moderate- or moderate-income households at a price which shall not
exceed the maximum sales price calculated in accordance with § 13.3.3-II. Alternatively, the
SPGA/designee may rent the units to low income households, consistent with Sections 13.3.2
and 13.3.3.
If the SPGA/Designee does not exercise its right of first refusal/option to purchase inclusionary
units, the developer/owner shall submit a plan of disposition for SPGA approval, and such plan
shall ensure that the required percentage of low-income affordable units will be maintained in the
development and made available for sale to low moderate and moderate- income households as
defined in this Ordinance.
Priority shall be established by the SPGA and incorporated in the Rules and Regulations per
Section 13.7.1. Priority for units shall be granted to current or recently displaced residents of the
City of Somerville to the extent permitted by state and federal law.
13.3.6. Long-term Affordability. Units required by and provided under the provisions of this
Article shall remain affordable to the designated income group in perpetuity, or for as long as
legally permissible. Sales prices, resale prices, initial rents, and rent increases for the affordable
units shall be restricted by legally permissible instruments such as, but not limited to, deed
covenants or restrictions, contractual agreements, or land trust arrangements to ensure long-term
affordability and compliance with this Article.
The SPGA, or its designee (Office of Housing and Community Development or other entity),
shall require that buyers or lessees of affordable units meet income and other certification
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requirements initially and then upon any subsequent resale of an ownership unit or renewal of
lease terms (at least annually), of a rental unit with income based on the provisions of Section
13.3.2. The SPGA or its designee may require a developer or property owner renting directly to
low and low moderate-income tenants to submit an annual statement and documentation as to the
rental income derived from the affordable housing units. In the longer term, a developer or
owner shall be responsible for reporting compliance to the enforcement entity(-ies) established
per Section 13.7.1 of this Article. The SPGA shall administer these provisions through Rules and
Regulations established under Section 13.7.1 herein.
Section 13.4. Alternative Methods of Compliance.
13.4.1. Establishment and Finding of Need. Though it is intended that affordable units be
included on-site in a subject development, the SPGA may authorize or require that the provisions
of this Article be met through an alternative method(s) of compliance in cases where there is
establishment of a need(s) including, but not limited to:
a) a finding that provision of on-site units is not in the best interest of the City and
low/moderate-income households in particular, or
b) a finding that provision of off-site units or some other method of compliance is desirable
and in keeping with the intent of this Article and with the plans, goals and objectives of
the City.
c) those projects where the number of affordable units to be provided is calculated to
include a fractional number not rounding up to the next whole number (see Section
13.3.4), in which case a cash payment shall be made for the fractional unit in accordance
with Section 13.4.2. As an example, a twenty-six (26) unit project would require 5.2 units
(20% of 26), and the last 0.2 unit would require the appropriate cash payment described
in Section 13.4.2.
In making its finding, the SPGA shall consider such factors as location, accessibility to schools
and other services, whether off-site units would provide more appropriate family housing than
on-site units would, availability of parking, proximity to public transportation, availability of
usable open space, etc.
13.4.2. Compliance.
A. Alternative Methods. The SPGA may approve compliance through one or more of the
methods below or through a combination of these methods and provision of on-site units. In all
cases utilizing said alternative methods, the SPGA shall find that any proposed alternative
method of compliance is advantageous to the City in creating or preserving affordable housing
and does not result in undue geographic concentration of affordable units.
Affordable units provided through the alternative methods below shall comply in all respects
other than on-site location with the requirements of this Article.
1) Off-site location. Affordable units may be located on an alternative site(s) in Somerville
suitable for housing use, preferably in the same neighborhood as the on-site development.
Affordable off-site units may be located in an existing structure, provided that their construction
constitutes a net increase in the number of affordable dwelling units contained in the structure.
The number of off-site units shall be, at minimum, equal to that number of units otherwise
required to be provided on-site. Off-site units shall be compatible in all respects with the market
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rate units built on-site, including quality and character, construction value, and site amenities
(yards, parking, laundry facilities, etc.); however, inclusionary units should generally be
designed to house three- (3) person or larger households, even if the market rate units are
designed primarily to house one- and two- person households. Any units provided in an off-site
development should also be compatible with the off-site neighborhood, in terms of design, to the
degree practical.
2) Cash payment. Developers may make a cash payment to the SPGA or its designee. Cash
payments shall be used only for purposes of providing affordable housing for low- and moderate-
income persons as defined by and pursuant to this Article, with payment determined by the
SPGA using the method below as a guideline.
3) Conveyance of land and/or buildings. Developers may donate to the SPGA or its designee
(Affordable Housing Trust Fund or other entity) land and/or buildings suitable for housing use,
preferably in the same neighborhood as the on-site development. Developers shall document fee
simple title ownership of said land and/or buildings at the time of application for a special permit
with site plan review for inclusionary housing development. Such land and/or buildings shall
have a current appraised fair market value no less than that value determined in accordance with
the method below. Donations of land and/or buildings shall be conveyed to the SPGA or its
designee and shall be used only for purposes of providing housing affordable to low and
moderate income persons as defined by and pursuant to this Article.
Calculating Dollar Value. For alternative methods (2) and (3) above, the following shall serve as
guidelines for determining dollar value of any cash payment or donation of land/buildings:
1) Cash payment (or equivalent value in land/buildings) in lieu of providing fractional
affordable units (see Section 13.4.1.(c)) shall be based on the formula below.
2) Cash payment (or equivalent value in land/buildings) in lieu of providing entire
affordable units shall be based on the formula below multiplied by two (2), and shall use
sales of new construction units only to calculate “B” in the formula below.
3) Formula
For rental units: (A x B x C) where:
"A" equals the number of affordable units not constructed, in lieu of a cash payment
and/or donation of land/buildings.
“B” equals current low HOME rent for the average bedroom size in the project/market
rate rent charged for the average bedroom size in the project
“C” equals Net Operating Income/Capitalization Rate = Market Value of the
Property/total number of bedrooms in the project = per bedroom price x average
bedroom size
For ownership units: "A" multiplied by ("B" minus "C") where:
"A" equals the number of affordable units not constructed, in lieu of a cash payment
and/or donation of land/buildings.
"B" equals the median market sales price for comparable unit types over the preceding
four quarters. This data shall be available to the public through a published source
identified in the SPGA Rules and Regulations.
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"C" equals the purchase price affordable to a moderate-income household with an
income of sixty-five percent (65%) of the Boston-Cambridge-Quincy, MA-NH HUD
Metro FMR Area published annually by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development, consistent with the provisions of Section 13.3.3.
The above is meant to serve as a guideline. The SPGA may approve use of another accepted
method of valuation, but only after consideration of any comments offered by the Planning
Board, Planning Office, and the Office of Housing and Community Development on the
appropriateness of any such alternative method.
Section 13.5. Incentives for Provision of Additional Affordable Housing Units.
Developers providing more than the required percentage of the total units in the development as
affordable units may apply for an additional density bonus under the terms of this Article, and in
accordance with the special permit with site plan review provisions of Article 5. Bonuses may be
awarded on the basis of a two-to-one ratio of market rate units to affordable housing units. For
every additional affordable unit provided beyond the minimum percent required, two (2)
additional market rate units may be authorized. The additional affordable units provided shall
continue to be offered at the rate of not less than fifty percent (50%) affordable to lower income
range households and the remainder affordable to moderate income range households, as
stipulated in Section 13.3.4. Any bonus may be awarded only by the SPGA, and shall not exceed
twenty percent (20%) of the number of units otherwise permissible under the lot area per
dwelling unit requirements of Article 8 and Article 16 and Table 13.3.4.B of this Ordinance. This
incentive shall not apply in Residence A or Residence B zoning districts.
In determining any density bonus, the SPGA shall consider relevant facts and make findings as
to the following:
a) that the affordable units provide housing to households with children;
b) that the affordable units provide rental units;
c) that analysis of the financial feasibility of the project demonstrates that award of bonus
market-rate unit(s) will in part finance the affordable unit(s) such that there need not be
full reliance on public subsidies to support rent payments for the affordable unit(s),
regardless of whether such subsidies are available;
d) that the proposed development site plan is designed in its site location, proportions,
orientation, materials, landscaping and other features as to provide a stable and desirable
character, complimentary and integral with the site's natural features and neighborhood
context;
e) that such development is generally consistent with the purposes of the Somerville Zoning
Ordinance, and the density increase or relaxation of zoning standards has no material
detrimental effect on the character of the neighborhood; and
f) that the proposed development is consistent with relevant municipal plans and objectives.
Section 13.6. Procedures.
13.6.1. General. All developments subject to the provisions of this Article require special permit
with site plan review. Applicants shall submit applications in accordance with the procedures for
special permit with site plan review specified in Article 5 of this Ordinance. In reviewing
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applications under this Article, the SPGA may require modifications, conditions and safeguards,
including documentation regarding permanent affordability and funding commitments,
reasonably related to the requirements of this Article.
The Applicant(s) are strongly encouraged to meet with the Planning Director or his/her designee
and the Office of Housing and Community Development's Housing Director or designee at least
three (3) weeks prior to formal submission of an application, to help determine applicable
informational requirements and discuss project compliance in a preliminary sense. At the time of
such meeting, the applicant is encouraged to submit plans showing the number and size of the
affordable units, their proposed sale prices and/or rent levels, method(s) of financing and/or
subsidy, proposed mechanisms to ensure long-term affordability, proposals for alternative
methods of compliance (if applicable), and such other information as the Planning Director,
his/her designee, or the Office of Housing and Community Development may request as
pertinent to the SPGA's review of the merits of the application.
13.6.2. Fast-Tracking of Permit Process. Development proposals providing affordable housing
units in the following amounts shall qualify for fast-tracking of the permit process:
a) Projects including more than the required number of affordable housing units, provided
that all affordable units (excluding a fractional unit of less than 0.5) are on-site with the
market rate development and provided the developer is not seeking an additional
density bonus under the provisions of Section 13.5.
b) Projects including twenty percent (20%) or more Tier R1 affordable units as set forth
in this Article 13, provided that all such units (excluding a fractional unit of less than
0.5) are on-site with the market rate development.
c) Projects including twenty-two percent (22%) or more affordable housing units,
provided that a minimum of half of the inclusionary units shall serve Tier R1
households as defined in this Article 13.
d) Projects including forty percent (40%) or more affordable housing units.
Fast-tracking of projects begins when the first application for special permit with site plan review
is submitted. The applicant must identify the project as qualifying for and request fast-tracking at
the point of this application. No project shall be allowed to request fast-tracking after the review
process has begun, unless the review process begins again with a new application for the project.
Fast-tracked projects shall be subject to every legal requirement for notices and hearings, but
every effort shall be made to expedite public review. The project shall be scheduled for
appropriate review on the first available agenda (of the appropriate Board) after the application
date which allows for proper notifications to occur. The SPGA shall adopt additional measures to
streamline and expedite review of a fast-track project within its Rules and Regulations.
Section 13.7. Implementation, Compliance and Enforcement.
13.7.1. Rules and Regulations. The SPGA shall promulgate Rules and Regulations necessary to
implement the requirements of this Article, including designation of an appropriate entity (Office
of Housing and Community Development or other entity/entities) to enforce such Rules and
Regulations.
13.7.2. General Compliance and Enforcement. All deed covenants, contractual agreements, and
other documents necessary to ensure compliance with this Article shall be submitted to and
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approved by the SPGA or its designee (Office of Housing and Community Development or other
entity). Such documents shall be executed prior to and as a condition of the issuance of any
occupancy permit.
No certificate of occupancy shall be issued for any market-rate units in a development subject to
the requirements of this Article until:
a) all of the required affordable units have obtained a certificate of occupancy, or bonding
or other equivalent security arrangements have been made satisfactory to the SPGA to
ensure the provision of such units;
b) any required cash payment has been made to the SPGA or its designee or, in the
alternative, the SPGA has approved a definitive schedule for payment(s); and/or
c) any land required to be donated to the SPGA or its designee has been conveyed in fee
simple title, or contracted for conveyance in fee simple, or in a manner acceptable to the
SPGA and the City Solicitor.
Any violation of this ordinance either prior to or following the issuance of a Certificate of
Occupancy is subject to the maximum fine per day set forth in Section 3.1.8 and the other
penalties contained in Article 3. Violations of this Ordinance following issuance of a Certificate
of Occupancy imposed as the result of proceedings brought under Article 3 must be imposed at
the maximum level set in Section 3.1.8. Fines imposed as a result of proceedings brought under
Article 3 must be paid to the Somerville Housing Trust to be used for affordable housing
purposes.
Section 13.8. Needs Assessment Review.
The Planning Board, in cooperation with the SPGA, the Office of Housing and Community
Development, and relevant agencies, shall undertake an economic and housing market needs
assessment and financial feasibility analysis prior to June 30, 2018, and then not less than every
fifth calendar year thereafter. The purposes of said assessment shall be to assess the performance
of the provisions herein in terms of resultant affordable housing units, to assess any need for
improved rules and regulations regarding implementation, and to ascertain the need for revision
of any provisions of this Ordinance relative to the provision of affordable housing units in the
City. Provisions subject to review shall include, at minimum: revisions to applicability
requirements of this Article, revisions to percentage requirements of affordable units in
inclusionary housing developments, revisions to income and affordability guidelines, and
revisions to methodologies for monetary payments or other in lieu of means of compliance with
provision of on-site units.
Upon completing its assessment, the Planning Board shall recommend to the Board of Aldermen
any amendments to this Ordinance deemed necessary to improve the means of providing
affordable housing in the City. The Planning Board shall also recommend to the SPGA any
improvements deemed necessary in the SPGA's Rules and Regulations pertaining to this Article.
Section 13.9. Reinstatement.
If any section, sentence, clause or phrase of this ordinance is held invalid by a Court of
competent jurisdiction, the section, sentence, clause or phrase in effect prior to the effective date
of this ordinance shall be reinstated in full force and effect for that individual section, sentence,
clause or phrase, without further action by the Board of Aldermen.
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Approved:
President