LOCAL HOUSING PARTNERSHIP

PROJECT REVIEW CONSIDERATIONS

The Tewksbury Local Housing Partnership serves in an advisory capacity to the Zoning Board of Appeals in Comprehensive Permit applications. The Zoning Board of Appeals is the statutory permit granting authority in approving Comprehensive Permits.

The Local Housing Partnership can add value to the Comprehensive Permit process by meeting with the applicant and discussing a number of issues regarding a comprehensive permit. In general, approval of a Comprehensive Permit is not contingent upon Local Housing Partnership acceptance of a project.

 The following considerations are discussion items that the Local Housing Partnership should address with the applicant:

 Pre-filing of Comprehensive Permit

1.  Location of project, name of applicant, form of entity

2. Existing conditions plan showing topography and environmental features.

3. Conceptual site plan showing building footprints, parking, roads, drives, buffers and environmental features. 

4. Density.

5. Housing types.

6. Proposed subsidy program(s).

7. Number and percentage of affordable units.

8.  Zoning and Subdivision rules and regulations conformity analysis.

9.  Preliminary development proforma.

10. Preliminary traffic analysis, including trip generation and distribution data and site drive evaluation, in order to determine scope of detailed traffic study.

11. Local Initiative Project Marketing guidelines.

12. Deed Restrictions in perpetuity.

Upon Filing of a Comprehensive Permit

1. Does the project meet all affordable housing program requirements?

2. Does the percentage of affordable units exceed the program requirement?
3. Are the sales prices and/or rent levels calculated to meet the need for housing for low and moderate income families in the community?
4. Are there a wide range or prices/rents to offer a variety of housing opportunities for households of different incomes?
5.  Does the housing type, number of bedrooms, living space and outdoor space address Town housing needs and objectives as most recently identified?
6.  Are affordable and market rate units indistinguishable from the exterior?
7. Are affordable units dispersed throughout the development?
8.  Are buildings sited in harmony with the topography, vegetation and any other natural features? 
9.  Is the development complementary to the character of the neighborhood?
10.  Are all units appropriate in size and do they provide facilities adequate to meet the needs of the households expected to occupy them?
11.  Are projected sales prices of market units within 10% of recent sales prices of similar housing units in community or in adjacent communities?
12.  Does the cost information reflect industry standards?
13.  Does the buyer selection plan for marketing the project conform to the Town’s guidelines?
14.  Draft regulatory agreement?