La Transversalidad

Southwick’s Board of Health could apply for a loan under the State Revolving Fund Pollution Abatement Trust Program to enable the Board of Health to provide low-interest loans for needed septic system repairs to keep homes affordable.

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Zoning to Allow Development of Duplexes and Multi-family Housing

Southwick’s current zoning regulations allow duplexes in zone R-40, R-20, R-20-A. Other forms of housing are allowed by Special Permit:

ƒ Residential apartment houses by Special Permit in the R-20-A district; ƒ Elderly housing is allowed by Special Permit in the R-20-B District.

The town could consider making some of these uses by-right uses, perhaps with Site Plan Approval, and allowing elder housing close to the town center where access to services and shopping is more readily available.

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Update Cluster Zoning Regulations to Allow Flexible Residential District by right Southwick has adopted Cluster Zoning regulations in the form of the Flexible Residential District.

ƒ Provide a density bonus for cluster housing developments that provide affordable housing units.

ƒ Since Massachusetts has now amended the State Zoning Act, Chapter 40a, to allow by-right cluster development, Southwick should update its Cluster Zoning Regulations to allow this use by right, rather than by Special Permit.

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Affordable Housing Zoning Bylaw

The adoption of an Inclusionary Zoning Bylaw for Affordable Housing would promote the construction of affordable housing for low and moderate-income residents. Inclusionary housing bylaws promote the private market development of affordable housing by offering developers residential density bonuses. In return, the developer must set aside a percentage of housing units in the development for low and moderate- income residents. In existing inclusionary bylaws, the percentage of affordable units generally ranges from 10 to 25% of the total units being developed. As alternatives, communities may allow developers to construct some of the required affordable units off-site, or allow the developer to make a cash payment to the community equal to the value of the affordable units to be used by the community to develop affordable units.

Formation of a Local Housing Partnership

The formation of a Local Housing Partnership would make Southwick eligible for DHCD technical assistance grants and other programs. The partnership should include, or report to, the chief elected municipal official.

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Planned Unit Development

Planned Unit Developments (PUDs) provide opportunities for developing a mix of housing types within a single clustered residential development. PUDs can include single family homes, townhouses, apartments and other residential uses.

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Traditional Neighborhood Development

Traditional Neighborhood Developments (TNDs) are new residential developments designed to replicate the pedestrian-friendly densities and layouts of the older residential neighborhoods found in many New England communities. Typical features of TNDs are compact lots, well-designed but modest size homes, front porches, sidewalks, street trees, on-street parking. Because land costs are lower and homes are modest in size in TNDs, this can be a strategy for creation of affordable housing.

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Mixed Use Village Center Development

Mixed Use Village Center Development can include a variety of uses, such as retail, office, and housing in a single planned development. Housing options could include second story apartments, townhouses or multi-family complexes.

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Transfer of Development Rights

Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) is a tool, which is employed primarily to protect open space and farmland. However, it can also promote creation of affordable housing. This is because development rights are transferred to a receiving area near a village center, where greater density can be allowed due to the availability of town services. This receiving area could be targeted for affordable housing.

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Accessory Apartments

Accessory apartments can provide improved rental housing opportunities by allowing “mother-in-law” or accessory apartments in single- family homes, without altering the character of neighborhoods.

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Conversion of Vacant Mills or Industrial Buildings into Multi-family Housing Conversion of vacant mills or industrial buildings can provide affordable apartments or rental housing units.

Zoning for Live-and-work Units

Live-and-work units can include artisan studios, housing for seasonal employees and dormitories. They can provide an affordable housing alternative to owner-occupied single-family homes.

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Zoning for Congregate Care and Assisted Living Facilities

There are several forms of elderly housing, such as life care facilities, senior apartments and congregate elderly housing, which are not addressed in many community bylaws. These are vital housing opportunities for elders and can be allowed by Special Permit in most residential areas.

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Co-housing

Co-housing projects are clustered residential units with some shared facilities, such as dining or recreational facilities, with cooperative management.

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Apply for State Housing Grant Funds for Site Preparation or Brownfields Improvements

Southwick could apply for one of many available state grant programs which provide funding for housing site preparation of improvements on brownfield sites, in order to promote affordable housing.

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Work with Banks on Financing for Affordable Housing

The town should work with local or regional banks or other financial service establishments to make available concessionary financing or other mechanisms that improve housing affordability.

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Formation of a local Affordable Housing Trust

An Affordable Housing Trust can receive tax-deductible, charitable and other donations that would be used to develop or rehabilitate housing.