Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Inclusionary Zoning topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Middletown planning board reopens inclusionary zoning discussion, forms subcommittee and delays action to Oct. 8
Summary
The planning board discussed a draft inclusionary zoning ordinance revised to follow recent state changes, formed a subcommittee to work through details, and continued the item to Oct. 8 for further consideration and potential council coordination.
The Town of Middletown Planning Board revisited a draft ordinance to implement inclusionary zoning and voted to continue the item to the board’s Oct. 8 meeting while a small subcommittee refines recommendations.
Planning staff presented a revised draft that incorporates recent state legislative changes: the state lowered the statutory minimum affordable housing requirement from 25% to 15% and reduced the bonus-unit ratio for market-rate units. The draft before the board applies the statute's maximum threshold so projects of more than 10 residential units would be subject to the requirement, and it proposes 80% area median income (AMI) for rental affordability and 120% AMI for ownership units as starting points for discussion.
Board members debated policy choices. Leon said the prior statutory framework had forced a doubling of density in many cases and that the new law “makes it a lot more attractive,” but cautioned that adopting inclusionary zoning could affect the town’s use of the comprehensive permit process. Another board member raised concerns that making inclusionary requirements mandatory for small developers could chill housing production and suggested the requirement be elective for developers. Several members said the ordinance allows flexibility — for example, a developer might satisfy requirements with off‑site units, in‑lieu payments, fee reductions, or other incentives — and noted the state law permits a range of policy designs.
The board agreed to form a subcommittee to examine options and details. Leon volunteered to chair the subcommittee and named Mike and Joe as members. The subcommittee will review affordability thresholds, whether to allow in‑lieu options, bonus density calculations, and interactions with the comprehensive permit pathway.
After discussion, the board voted to continue the inclusionary zoning item to Oct. 8 to allow staff, the subcommittee and council contacts time to refine the draft and confirm whether the Town Council intends to request a recommendation. The motion to continue passed by voice vote; the chair recorded an aye.
Why it matters: Inclusionary zoning would change how residential developments of 10 units or more are conditioned for affordable housing in Middletown. Board members emphasized choices about mandatory vs. elective requirements, affordability targets, in‑lieu payments, and how the ordinance would interact with the comprehensive permit option.
Next steps: The subcommittee (Leon, chair; Mike; Joe) will meet to prepare recommendations for the planning board ahead of the Oct. 8 meeting; staff will also check with Councilmember Paul Rodriguez about council interest and report back.
Ending note: The board deferred action to allow the subcommittee and staff to clarify policy tradeoffs and to confirm council interest before forwarding any recommendation.
