MARLBOROUGH – The latest version of the zoning ordinances for the city’s Village District has been approved by the City Council.
During the council’s Urban Affairs Committee meeting on Nov. 15, the council discussed recommendations from the Planning Board, including:
- Consider whether the affordable housing requirements in the proposed amendment will make redevelopment projects along Main Street cost prohibitive.
- Consider excluding Main Street from Maple Street to Mechanic Street from the requirement.
- Keep a tabulation of the number of parking spaces waived in exchange for fee payments.
- Designate an account for the funds received from the parking space fees to be used to create additional parking in the downtown area.
“There are some interesting pieces to it,” said Councilor Sean Navin. “It would be helpful to know which parking spaces are waived.”
RELATED CONTENT: City Council takes another crack at zoning amendments
Some councilors questioned whether to exclude Main Street, as well as the increase in the one-time fee for parking spaces. The current fee is $10,000 per space; the council wants an increase to $25,000 per space.
The proposed changes to Chapter 650 zoning for the Village District will set regulations for affordable housing, including which projects would require a special permit; the number of affordable units required per project; the dropping of alternative sites for developers; design standards, including masonry construction; the use of public garage space toward projects’ parking requirements; minimum and maximum heights; and roof decks.
The proposed amendments, with the recommendations from the Planning Board and Legal Department, were approved by the City Council on Monday, Dec. 4.
