Inclusionary Zoning Update
At a glance
Based on auto-generated captions; names, numbers and addresses may be misheard.
- What: proposed changes to the inclusionary zoning ordinance (papers 334-26 and 335-26, numbers per captions), including a lower affordability requirement (10 percent at 60 percent of area median income, replacing 15 percent) and reduced parking minimums.
- Where it stands: several residents wrote in support on October 20, citing almost no market-rate projects of eight or more units since 2021. The ordinance committee did not report the papers out that night, so the council did not vote on them.
From the video (October 27, 2026)
The committee report was received. The Council amended and enrolled the inclusionary zoning paper (335-26B) with one councillor opposed after a motion to split out the affordability percentage failed, then enrolled the incentives paper (335A-26) unanimously: no height bonuses in Resident A districts, location bonuses struck, parking at 1.1 spaces per market-rate unit and 0.7 per affordable unit. Discussion supported a 10% set-aside in place of 15%. See 2026-10-27 - City Council.
Sources
Log
- 2026-10-20 - City Council - Public comments in support; placeholder papers not taken up.
- 2026-09-08 - City Council - Staff presented cuts to the requirement from 15% to 10% and lower parking for affordable projects; some councillors wanted more data; referred to Rules and Ordinances (from auto-captions).
2026-10-27 - Rules and Ordinance Committee
335-26 and 335A-26 listed as tabled, with the OSPCD and Planning Board reports and the RKG feasibility study; the full Council took up committee report 434-26 the same evening (2026-10-27 - City Council).
- 2026-11-10 - City Council - Enrolled ordinances 335-26 and 335A-26 (12.12.300 rewrite and incentives) on the agenda for final enactment.