The City Council convened Tuesday evening for a public meeting that brought together state officials and developers to discuss the 40R Smart Growth overlay zoning. This zoning designation is essential for Chelsea to qualify for a minimum of $11 million in state funding for the proposed 330-unit mixed-income redevelopment of the Innes Housing Development on Central Avenue.
Beyond the primary funding, passage of the 40R zoning would make Chelsea eligible for an additional $1 million from the state’s Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). Approximately half of that supplemental funding would be directed to Corcoran Development, which is collaborating with the Chelsea Housing Authority (CHA) on this two-phase redevelopment initiative. The project will transform 96 public housing units into a mix that includes 40 middle-income units (80 to 120 percent of the AMI) and 194 market rate units, with phasing designed to minimize resident displacement.
“We’re having this meeting so we can have
more understanding about the 40R zoning amendment for smart growth,” stated District 5 Councillor Judith Garcia.
The Planning Board is slated to offer its recommendation on the smart growth zoning at its next meeting on Tuesday night, which would pave the way for a final City Council vote.
According to William Reyelt of the DHCD, a 40R district must meet basic requirements including an eligible location near public transportation or a city center, with minimum by-right density of eight single-family units, twelve 2-3 family units, and 20 multi-family units per acre.
“It has to be primarily a residential
district, but we do encourage mixed-use development,” explained Reyelt.
He noted that age restrictions are prohibited in smart growth districts and that 20 percent of total units must be affordable.
Following state verification of the zoning, the city will receive its first incentive payment, Reyelt indicated. Communities with smart growth zoning also qualify for additional density bonuses and school reimbursement payments. The state currently has 47 smart growth districts across 41 communities.
During the question and answer session, parking emerged as the primary concern among City Councilors, despite the 40R zoning containing no specific parking requirements or regulations.
“The project is great, but not at the
expense of the citizens in the area,” remarked Council President Damali Vidot. “We
need to have a very serious conversation about it.”
The site plan includes 276 parking spaces. Ronnie Slammin of Corcoran noted that while developers initially proposed 226 spaces, they have now incorporated an additional 50 spaces. The developer has also expressed willingness to conduct traffic and parking studies that could benefit street parking in the surrounding neighborhood.
Current CHA residents maintain eligibility for street parking permits and will continue to park at the redeveloped Innes housing at no cost, a provision secured through the CHA’s 99-year lease with Corcoran.
Nonetheless, multiple councilors voiced ongoing concerns regarding parking’s potential neighborhood impact.
“Before the Council moves forward, that will
definitely have to be on the table,” expressed District 8 Councillor Calvin T. Brown.
District 1 Councillor Robert Bishop emphasized his desire to ensure current CHA residents can park on-site rather than being relegated to street parking. District 4 Councillor Enio Lopez sought guarantees that the 96 public housing units would remain under CHA control.
“Those 96 units
will always be filled by public housing tenants,” CHA Director Al Ewing assured.