HomeMy Public PortalAbout2019-08-13 Assisted Living Memo_Draft
To: The Honorable Town Council
Michael J. Driscoll, Town Manager
From: Steve Magoon, DCDP Director, and Assistant Town Manager
Date: July 31, 2019
Subject: Changes to Section 5.11 – Assisted Living Overlay District
In December, 2018, the Honorable Town Council changed Section 5.07 of Watertown’s Zoning
Ordinance (WZO), by adding new requirements for affordable Assisted Living units in private, for-
profit projects with more than 10 units.
In March 2019, Council Economic Development and Planning Committee held meetings on the
requirements for affordable Assisted Living Units in Section 5.07 (Inclusionary Zoning) in
comparison to those in the Assisted Living Overlay District (WZO Section 5.11).
The owner of the former Parker School expressed concern that he cannot comply with the
requirement to provide a 10% set-aside of units as affordable regardless of project size currently
required by the Assisted Living Overlay District. He noted, however, that he could obtain the
necessary financing and make the project work if the affordable unit set-aside was 5% as it is in
Section 5.07 for all other zoning districts.
DCDP staff noted that Section 5.07 had two tiers of set-aside by project size: 5% for projects of 10-
75 units, and 10% for project of 76 or more units. The Committee’s discussion turned on why, and
to what types of properties the Assisted Living Overlay District (ALOD) would be applied. The
Committee’s consensus was that the ALOD was designed as an incentive to preserve and repurpose
unique properties via a relatively low intensity use.
The Committee reported its findings to the full Council on May 14, 2019, noting they had voted
unanimously to recommend the Town Council move forward with a Text Amendment to Section
5.11. The Text Amendment would add two bullets to the Intent/Purposes of Section 5.11,
strengthening it by including adaptive reuse of Historically Significant buildings, and/or former
municipal buildings, and to facilitate projects that involve public/private partnerships. The
Amendment would also made make Sections 5.11 and 5.07 consistent in terms of the affordable
unit set-aside requirements. See attached language.
I would therefore respectfully request that this Text Amendment be placed on the Honorable Town
Council agenda for a first reading and referral to the Planning Board for a public hearing.
DRAFT REVISED LANGUAGE FOR ASSISTED LIVING OVERLAY DISTRICT
SECTION 5.11 ASSISTED LIVING OVERLAY DISTRICT (ALOD)
(a) Intent and Purposes:
To encourage and guide the redevelopment of land for residential purposes and to
promote its revitalization and value to the community.;
To encourage the adaptive reuse of Historically Significant buildings and/or former
municipal buildings; and
To facilitate projects that involve public/private partnerships.
(b) Permitted Uses: Any use permitted in the underlying zone and Assisted Living as
defined in §2.05, subject to special permit provisions under §9.04, 9.05, and 9.09.
(c) Dimensional Criteria:
Min.Lot Size: 10,000 sf Max.Building Coverage: 35%
Min.Frontage: 80 ft Max.Height: 3 stories or the height allowed
in the underlying district,
whichever is greater, provided
however that more than 3
stories may be allowed within
existing structure.
Front Setback: 25 ft Min.Lot/unit: 1,200 sf
Side Setback: 20 ft Max.FAR: 1.0
Rear Setback: 20 ft Min.Open Space: 20%
(d) Parking Requirement: For Assisted Living, one space per every 4 units plus one per
employee on largest shift. All other uses must follow the provisions of §6 of this Zoning
Ordinance.
(e) Signage: The provisions of §7.05 of this Zoning Ordinance shall apply.
(f) Affordable Housing Requirements: A total of 10% of the units must be set aside as Any
project developed under this Section shall meet the affordable housing requirements
pursuant to the provisions of §5.07 of this Zoning Ordinance.