NEWBURYPORT — Mayor Sean Reardon is excited to announce that the City will host a public forum on Wednesday, Sept. 11 to discuss initiatives to create more housing options in Newburyport and to preview the City’s new Housing Production Plan.
Due to new state laws, interest from private developers, and new zoning and projects being considered locally, there are many changes underway regarding our larger housing stock. The City wants to make sure the public is informed about what may be coming in the near future.
The Forum will begin at 7 p.m. at the Senior Community Center.
The Boston area is still experiencing major challenges in housing, as inventory remains low, and prices are climbing higher. This has implications for all communities in our region, and the City is working to address the housing crisis in a number of ways.
The Housing Production Plan (HPP) is a state-required document that is updated every five years and presents a blueprint for how to provide more affordable housing locally. The City has worked with the Merrimack Valley Planning Commission to update its HPP, and the plan is being finalized now.
The HPP analyzes local housing trends, looks for opportunities to address housing shortfalls, and recommends strategies moving forward. This plan has a number of strategy recommendations that will be discussed at the housing forum, including activating publicly owned property for affordable housing, expanding zoning to allow for the creation of more multifamily and accessory housing units, and expanding the support programs from the Affordable Housing Trust.
Potential private developments are in the works, including at the so-called Waterfront West site and the vacant Kmart at Port Plaza off Low Street. Both sites could accommodate more multifamily housing units should the zoning on the sites be updated or other measures taken to advance these projects.
The City is also advancing new zoning to comply with the State’s MBTA Communities Law, and updated regulations on Accessory Dwelling Units following the passage of the new Affordable Homes Act. The Housing Forum will cover these initiatives and more.
Due to the date of the Forum, officials will take a moment to remember the victims of the Sept 11, 2001 attacks.
Community members with questions are asked to contact Director of Planning and Development Andy Port at 978-465-4400, ext. 5, or aport@cityofnewburyport.com.
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