Ipswich 3A Task Force Holds Public Forum
Posted on
March 29th at 12:08pm.
March 29th at 12:08pm.
The Ipswich 3A Task Force held a public forum on March 22nd to discuss the multifamily zoning requirements for MBTA communities. The task force began the forum by providing an overview of 3A, and the task force’s role in developing a plan to reach compliance. While discussing 3A compliance, the Ipswich Public Task Force highlighted the following points:
- This is a mandate set by the state and there are repercussions to not complying, including potential liability from violating fair housing laws and a loss of access to state grant funding.
- The Task Force is charged with producing the best plan to reach compliance that benefits residents.
- Residents will choose to approve the plan created by the task force at the Spring 2024 Town Meeting.
- The committee is in favor of requiring a site plan for construction in the newly created 3A district(s)
- There can be multiple districts where multi-family zoning is allowed by-right. There does not have to be 1 continuous district.
- Construction in the proposed district(s) would still be subject to the State Wetlands Act.
- Demolition of historic buildings (built before 1915) in the proposed district(s) would still require review and approval from the Architectural Commission Preservation Committee.
- Ipswich will seek to implement a 20% affordability requirement on all new development projects in the zoning districts. To do this, they would need to conduct an economic feasibility study.
- State grants are funding the analysis process towards reaching compliance.
After the presentation, residents had the opportunity to ask questions and provide comments on 3A. A variety of viewpoints were shared by those in attendance, with some for and some against the zoning requirements. To watch the entire presentation, please click HERE.