Manchester planning board sees shift toward more affordable units as city advances zoning rewrite
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Summary
Planning and housing commissioners discussed several large projects, including a reduced-but-all-affordable Pearl Street proposal, the Hallsville school repurpose, and a citywide zoning rewrite that would change parking and ADU rules.
Commissioners reviewed recent planning-board activity and an on‑going zoning rewrite aimed at easing development constraints and increasing affordable housing production.
Members said NeighborWorks and Lincoln Avenue Capital adjusted an earlier proposal for city-owned Pearl and Hartnett street lots: the overall number of units was reduced but the developer will deliver all units as affordable, a change commissioners said increases the net count of affordable apartments in that block. The revised Pearl Street plan was described as roughly 125 units in a single building; previously the larger proposal had been larger and included fewer affordable units.
Commissioners also discussed three other projects in process: a 220-townhome proposal on Lucas Road that the planning board kept open for further comment, a multi-site development (three sites total) with an estimated combined project cost discussed informally as between $2.6 million and $2.7 million, and a repurposing of the Hallsville School into approximately 40 affordable units. The Hallsville plan drew public opposition during a zoning-board hearing that resulted in a 2–2 tie and a carryover to the board’s next meeting.
Separately, commission members described the city’s zoning-rewrite process. City staff compiled public input from ward meetings and an online survey and convened a committee that includes a housing commission representative. Commissioners said a revised draft ordinance is expected to be released for public review after the committee’s next meeting; they described a planned 60‑day public comment period before the Board of Mayor and Aldermen considers adoption.
Members spoke in detail about parking and accessory-dwelling-unit (ADU) rules. The draft changes would allow lower parking minimums (for example allowing one space for a one-bedroom unit in some zones) and would align local ADU rules with changes being considered at the state level (including modest increases in allowable ADU size). Commissioners noted those state-level changes will affect how the city finalizes its local ordinance.
No formal votes were recorded at the commission meeting on these items. Commissioners said staff will continue outreach and expect revised ordinance language to be released for public review.
Ending: Commissioners emphasized public education on specific projects — particularly Hallsville — to explain rationale and financing to neighbors ahead of upcoming zoning and planning hearings.