Council pushes for zoning change to boost affordable housing

During a recent government meeting, a subcommittee proposed sending a housing development proposal to the full council for a vote at the next meeting. The proposal includes a significant zoning amendment for a parcel located at 234 to 263 Mount Vernon Street and 5 Farnum Street. This parcel was originally part of an urban revitalization plan initiated in 1972 and was previously zoned for light industrial use. However, the Department of Planning and Development (DPD) is now advocating to revert the zoning back to Urban Multifamily (UMF) to facilitate the development of more affordable housing in the area.

The subcommittee expressed a strong preference for the full council to approve this zoning change, emphasizing its potential to enhance affordable housing options.

In a related discussion, a council member raised concerns about the distribution of materials related to the subcommittee's discussions. The member noted that while subcommittee members received presentations and packets, other council members who arrived late were left without access to this crucial information. This lack of communication was described as a recurring issue, with the member advocating for all council members to receive the same materials to ensure informed participation in discussions and votes.

The council member requested that the Chief Financial Officer and another official ensure that all council members receive the relevant documents ahead of the upcoming vote, highlighting the importance of transparency and equal access to information within the council.