City Hall - 455 Main Street Worcester, Massachusetts

Chairperson Councilor Rose read the item and moved for a roll call vote to adopt the item. Order adopted on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays.

Chairperson Councilor Sean Rose read the item and recognized the following speakers:
1. Sue Mailman, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of amended ordinance proposed by the Affordable Housing Coalition group.
2. Steve Teasdale, no residence given, spoke in favor of amended ordinance proposed by the Affordable Housing Coalition group.
3. Fred Taylor, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of amended ordinance proposed by the Affordable Housing Coalition group.
4. David Sullivan, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of the item.
5. John O’Sullivan, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of amended ordinance proposed by the Affordable Housing Coalition group.
6. Margot Barnet, Worcester resident, spoke in favor of amended ordinance proposed by the Affordable Housing Coalition group.

Chairperson Councilor Rose recognized the Chief Development Officer, who provided a summary of the proposed Inclusionary Zoning ordinance, including information relative to the Administration’s dedication to prioritizing resident’s interests, market conditions and the need for affordable housing. The Chief Development Officer also discussed State affordability requirements, zoning code, and the need for an annual review of the Inclusionary Zoning ordinance.

Chairperson Councilor Rose discussed the proposed Inclusionary Zoning ordinance and stated his belief that no changes should be made to the Administration’s proposal, in an effort to expedite the process of passing an Inclusionary Zoning ordinance and allow the entire City Council to weigh in on any changes to the proposal.

Chairperson Councilor Rose moved to recommend the item be approved as presented. – Not Put.

Chairperson Councilor Rose brought forth the following Chairman’s Order: Request City Manager allocate up to $1,000,000.00 (One Million Dollars) to rental assistance through American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding.

Chairperson Councilor Rose recognized Councilor King, who discussed public-private partnerships, gentrification, and the importance of mixed development.

Councilor King then moved to recommend the item be approved as amended to include a 50/50 split between 60% of AMI and 80% AMI affordable units, 10% of units for multi-family developments of twelve units to more be set aside for income-restricted households, and affordability restriction extended from thirty (30) years to perpetuity ninety-nine (99) years.

Chairperson Councilor Rose recognized Councilor Rivera, who discussed the need for consensus between the city’s proposal and the Affordable Housing Coalition with the Chief Development Officer.

Chairperson Councilor Rose then recognized Steve Teasdale, who provided feedback on the ordinance on behalf of the Affordable Housing Coalition with Councilor Rivera.

Councilor Rivera then discussed gentrification in the city, as well as concerns regarding outside developers and potential developer plans with the Chief Development Officer.

Chairperson Councilor Rose then discussed the Inclusionary Zoning process and recognized Councilor King, who discussed the long-term effects of the plan proposed by the Affordable Housing Coalition.

Per Rule 27 of the City Council, which states the vote for an amendment to an item occurs prior to a vote to adopt, Chairperson Councilor Rose first moved for a roll call vote on Councilor King’s motion to recommend the item be approved as amended.

Recommend approval as amended to include a 50/50 split between 60% of AMI and 80% AMI affordable units, 10% of units for multi-family developments of twelve units to more be set aside for income-restricted households, and affordability restriction extended from thirty (30) years to perpetuity ninety-nine (99) years on a roll call vote of 2 Yeas, 1 Nay (Yeas – King, Rivera) (Nay – Rose).

Request City Manager allocate up to $1,000,000.00 (One Million Dollars) to rental assistance through American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding.

Chairperson Councilor Rose moved for a roll vote to recommend the item be filed. Recommend file on a roll call vote of 3 Yeas and 0 Nays.