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Planning board recommends comp-plan language referencing Live Local Act after discussion on local authority
Summary
The Planning and Architectural Review Board recommended a comprehensive-plan amendment that incorporates references to the state's Live Local Act and related statutory preemptions; board members discussed parking reductions, administrative review for qualifying affordable housing and the limits of local authority.
The Planning and Architectural Review Board on May 6, 2025, recommended approval of comprehensive-plan language that incorporates the state's Live Local Act and calls attention to areas where state law preempts local review.
Drew (staff member) explained the amendment is primarily a cross-reference so staff will remember to apply state requirements when reviewing applications. He said Live Local can convert some development reviews that would otherwise be discretionary into an administrative review if the project qualifies for Live Local incentives.
Board members discussed specific policy language, including a provision (policy C.16) that would allow reduced parking requirements for affordable housing. Scott asked whether that parking change is already required by state law; Drew said it is a local policy that implements state thresholds for qualifying affordable housing.
Board member Hannah asked about a mixed-use threshold in Exhibit A that requires at least 65% of total square footage to be residential for certain Live Local qualifications; Drew confirmed that threshold comes from the Live Local Act and applies only to developments seeking Live Local designation, not to all projects.
A motion to recommend approval of the ordinance incorporating these references was made and approved by roll call.
