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2026 Annual Town Meeting, Town of Arlington, MA
Article: 55
Warrant Article Title:
ZONING BYLAW AMENDMENT / ADMINISTRATIVE
CLARIFICATION TO BONUS PROVISIONS FOR MULTI-FAMILY
DEVELOPMENT
Warrant Article Text:
To see if the Town will vote to amend Section 5.8.4.E(2) Bonuses
of the Zoning Bylaw, to clarify language specific to the calculation
of the number of affordable units that must be constructed in
order to qualify for the 1-floor and 2-floor bonus provisions of this
section in either of the MBMF overlay districts.
Requested By:
Aram Hollman and ten registered voters
Report Excerpt:
That No Action be taken (5-0).
Article 55 proposes to clarify how the number of affordable units
needed to qualify for additional floor bonuses in the MBMF
Housing Overlay District is calculated, by amending Section
5.8.4.E.(2) of the Zoning Bylaw to add the following: “In
determining the total number of affordable units required,
calculation of a fractional unit shall be rounded up to the next
whole number, to ensure that at least 22.5% of all units are
affordable.” This proposal seeks to clarify language in section
5.8.4.E.(2) that states, in part: “In the MBMF Overlay District, one
additional story may be added if the total percentage of affordable
units exceeds the requirements in Section 8.2.3 Requirements of
this Bylaw for a total of at least 22.5% of all units.”
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Currently, Section 8.2.3.A., Affordable Housing Requirements,
states, in part: “In determining the total number of affordable units
required, calculation of a fractional unit of 0.5 or more shall be
rounded up to the next whole number.” The Board interprets this
to mean that calculation of a fractional unit of 0.5 or less shall be
rounded down to the next whole number. Several Board members
expressed concern about introducing a different method of
rounding or calculating affordable units than the existing standard
in the Zoning Bylaw under Section 8.2.3.A.
The Board generally agreed that the Zoning Bylaw has an existing
standard for converting percentages into whole units, and it is
preferable to have a single uniform standard throughout the Bylaw
rather than different standards in different places. The Board also
agreed that maintaining a single, consistent method of calculation
of affordable units throughout the Bylaw is preferable to avoid
confusion.
Vote Language:
That no action be taken on Article 55.
Redevelopment Board Report
