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Date: 1/3/2023
HADLEY – The conclusion of Colony Estates’ inclusionary zoning requirement was pushed back to the Hadley Planning Board’s Jan. 17 meeting so that the board could work out how much it would require in lieu of payment.
The inclusionary zoning requirement necessitates that any new subdivision built with seven or more lots must include one house that is considered affordable housing. If the land owner doesn’t want to do that then they may make another owned property available as affordable housing or make a payment in lieu of either.
Attorney Alan Seewald said that Valley Real Estate Company has already lost four of its planned lots due to environmental concerns and would prefer not to lose another lot. Although the company does have an apartment that it could offer as affordable housing, it would prefer to make the payment in lieu because of all the logistical requirements that go along with affordable housing.
According to Seewald, this is the first time that the inclusionary zoning requirement has come into play in Hadley and not all of the logistics have been worked out. The Planning Board does not have a set formula for how much the payment would be.
Planning Board member James Maksimoski said that the board did have numbers in mind and that this option would not be inexpensive. Board member Michail Sarsynski said that he felt like the payment should be close to what it would cost to build a unit.
Seewald noted that given that there are no regulations right now it’s really within the board’s “purview to come up with a more moderate number.”
However, that would be unlikely, according to the board.
“With the current cost of everything, it’s going to be pretty high,” said Maksimoski.
The board’s rough estimate was roughly $130,000, according to Sarsynski. Pioneer Valley Planning Commission Senior Planner Ken Comia said it might actually be higher.
The board and Comia intend to work out the details and a formula at the Jan. 3 meeting.
Permitting
Comia also ran through the most recent version of a permitting guide that he is working on for the town. This would help town members know which boards are responsible for issuing which licenses and permits as well as any special circumstances to be aware of.
In addition, the board discussed its plans to have special event permitting ready for the spring Town Meeting. This permit would be for events that would bring about increased traffic or people at a certain location, such as a food truck event or the link.