Ordinance committee approves amended R‑5 senior residential zone; recommends rezoning of three parcels

Brockton City Council’s Ordinance Committee voted Thursday to pass amendments to an ordinance reestablishing an R‑5 senior residential community zone and favorably recommended a zoning‑map amendment to reclassify three identified parcels from R‑1 to R‑5.

The amended ordinance, introduced and described at the committee meeting by Councilor Jeff Thompson (Ward 5), aims to create age‑restricted housing for residents 55 and older while incorporating aspects of the underlying R‑1 zone. Thompson, a co‑sponsor, said the change "meets this committee's goals of providing age‑restricted housing for our senior population" and removes a previously contentious multifamily‑housing supplement.

Committee members said the change is intended to reduce hardships for seniors who wish to age in place near family, health care and social networks. The committee approved technical amendments by voice vote, then voted to pass the ordinance as amended and to recommend rezoning parcel IDs 133‑002, 133‑003 and 175‑160 from R‑1 to R‑5.

The ordinance text and the amendments read into the record by legislative counsel, Attorney Resnick, revise numerous zoning details. Key changes described at the meeting include adding tenant‑association language (so rental developments could be governed by tenant associations as well as homeowners associations); clarifying allowed dwelling types to…