PLANNING BOARD MINUTES

Inclusionary Zoning Subcommittee

November 1, 2022, 3:00pm

Planning Department – Town Hall

350 East Main Road

Middletown, RI 02842

 

Members present:                                                                        

John Ciummo

Paul Croce

Art Weber

 

Others present:

Ron Wolanski, Town Planner           

Anita Guo, Principal Planner

 

 

1.    Review, discuss, and make recommendations to the Planning Board regarding possible amendments to the Middletown Zoning Ordinance, Town Code Chapter 152, to implement inclusionary zoning for affordable housing.

a.    The subcommittee discussed the distribution of affordable units within a development, the differences between market-rate and affordable units, and eligibility requirements.

b.    Mr. Croce raised concerns with the Alternative Compliance section in the draft Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance. Mr. Wolanski addressed that the option allows the Planning Board some flexibility to allow the applicant to comply through alternative means. The subcommittee by consensus agreed that the section will be removed if there is no conflict with State requirements. The subcommittee noted that inclusionary zoning should focus on integration into neighborhoods.

c.     There was discussion about excluding the R-40 and R-60 zoning districts from the inclusionary zoning requirement due to concerns that these residential zones are in rural areas, have limited access to utilities, are within a watershed district, and have limited transportation options.

d.    The subcommittee agreed to have the Planning Department review the State requirements on alternative compliance and will continue the conversation at the next meeting.

 

Meeting adjourned by consensus at 3:45pm.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Anita Guo, Principal Planner