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Partnership hears state bond bill update and MassHousing assistance on zoning and conversions
Summary
Members received updates that the broker-fee home rule petition was not included in the state housing bond bill and would require reintroduction; staff reported MassHousing technical assistance to evaluate commercial-to-residential conversions and underused parcels.
Members discussed the status of the state housing bond bill and related local efforts, including a broker-fee home rule petition and zoning reform possibilities.
Hannah Schaffer reported she had contacted Representative Sabadosa about the broker-fee home rule petition and said the petition did not make it into the state bill; it would need to be reintroduced if local advocates want to pursue it again. "If we wanna continue with it, that it has to be reintroduced," Schaffer said, and she offered to reach out to groups working on the issue to determine next steps.
On zoning reform, staff said the Partnership had secured technical assistance from MassHousing to assess underused parcels and evaluate programs for converting second- and third-floor commercial space to housing. "We were awarded technical assistance... MassHousing is looking at our parcels... to see how many of those can be converted to housing," staff member Keith said, noting the work is in early stages and a consultant will report back when analysis is complete.
Members suggested future meetings could drill down on which bond-bill line items are most relevant to Northampton and how commercial-conversion incentives or tax credits could be combined to support local projects. No formal actions were taken on zoning or the bond bill at this meeting.
