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Planning board reviews 55+ housing bylaw edits, flags enforcement questions
Summary
Planners circulated a revised 55-plus housing bylaw (January 13 draft) incorporating Affordable Housing Trust feedback; the board discussed occupancy thresholds (80% versus one occupant per unit 55+), enforcement concerns and scheduled a public hearing to open Feb. 9.
The Town of Southborough Planning Board reviewed a revised draft of a 55-plus housing bylaw at its Jan. 26 meeting and advanced the article to public hearing status.
Staff said feedback from the Affordable Housing Trust and board members was incorporated into a January 13 draft that will be available to the public and discussed at the board’s Feb. 9 hearing. Board members thanked staff and trust representatives for their work and said they would continue to refine the language ahead of the hearing.
A substantive point of discussion was an occupancy standard that would require 80% of units to meet certain age restrictions versus a more enforceable approach requiring at least one occupant per unit to be 55 or older. Several board members noted enforcement could be difficult if occupancy rules were set at a percentage level and suggested the statutory federal definition (Housing for Older Persons Act of 1995) constrains local alternatives.
Staff said the draft and accompanying materials will be circulated to the Select Board for agenda placement; the legal ad for the article has already run and the public hearing opens Feb. 9. No formal vote on the bylaw took place on Jan. 26; the matter will be considered at the public hearing.
