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Council adopts narrowly tailored workforce-housing zoning changes after months of amendments and debate
Summary
After committee review and amendments, the council approved ZTA 2502 on a vote that split members. The measure allows optional-method duplexes, triplexes and townhouses along selected corridors, includes affordability requirements and a delayed effective date while staff finalize subdivision rules and a biennial impact report requirement.
The council on July 22 adopted ZTA 2502, a package of narrowly targeted zoning changes intended to expand workforce housing near corridors and transit. The ZTA applies to roughly 2,470 parcels along specified corridors and allows optional-method development of duplexes, triplexes and townhomes subject to site standards, planning-board review and a minimum workforce-housing contribution. The PHP committee and planning staff made multiple technical and substantive amendments during work sessions prior to the vote.
Key changes included clarifying corridor definitions, excluding certain controlled major highways and existing flag/through lots from eligibility, adding a planning-board review path for parking reductions in small‑lot neighborhoods only near transit, and delaying the ZTA's effective date to November 1 to align with an SRA that limits lot consolidations. Council Member Sales also secured a biennial impact report requirement (starting December 1, 2027) to track applications, parking waivers, stormwater impacts, demolition permits and the number of workforce‑housing units built. The roll-call vote recorded a majority in favor; several councilmembers objected on grounds of displacement risk, limited affordability guarantees for duplexes and stormwater/traffic concerns.
Supporters argued the limited corridor approach and optional-method review strike a balance between increasing housing supply and preserving neighborhood character, while opponents urged deeper affordability controls and broader master-plan‑level approaches. The council directed staff to continue outreach and to coordinate SRA work and implementation details before the delayed effective date.
