Committee approves senior-residential overlay with limits on non-age-restricted units after robust debate

The ordinance committee recommended favorably, as amended, a proposed R-5 senior residential community overlay that would allow purpose-built senior housing in specified areas and—under limited conditions—some non-age-restricted multifamily units on large parcels.

Councilor Jeff Thompson introduced the item and said negotiations since the committee's prior meeting produced updated language. Attorney James M. Burke, representing property interests including developer Charlie Macy, explained the proposal and defended allowing a limited amount of multifamily housing on parcels of 10 acres or more to improve economic feasibility for senior developments.

"In order to create the ability to bring in the multifamily housing, there has to be at least 10 acres," Burke said during discussion. The draft submitted to the committee initially included a formula that would have allowed multifamily units above the senior count; after debate the committee adopted an amendment that limits the number of non-age-restricted units so they do not exceed the number of senior residential units constructed and occupied (the committee accepted language that the total number of multifamily units "shall not exceed the total number of senior residential housing units").

Ward 4 Councilor Susan Nicastro spoke at length opposing language that would permit multifamily units as of right on parcels larger than 10 acres. Nicastro said she supports senior housing but objected to allowing multifamily as-of-right on large parcels and argued the draft should preserve senior-focused character and protections for adjacent neighborhoods. "If you're going to be devoted to... senior housing... that's what it should be. It shouldn't slide in multi families because the property is a certain size," she said.

Rob May, director of planning and economic development, told the committee staff had worked with counsel and developers to add safeguards including sequencing and planning-board oversight: certificates of occupancy for multifamily units would not be issued until the approved senior units had been constructed. He also said the overlay would be applied by map designation later; the ordinance currently establishes the rules rather than mapping parcels.

After lengthy debate over the appropriate cap and sequencing, the committee adopted the compromise amendment limiting multifamily units relative to senior units, accepted a package of technical edits, and voted to recommend the ordinance as amended to the full council.