The planning department proposed some changes to our proposal. Here’s our response to those changes:
* AHOC continues to support an inclusionary zoning requirement of 20% for all developments with six or more units citywide, with the idea that a developer can seek parking relief and/or a density bonus if necessary to ensure financial viability. However, if the Board of Aldermen chooses to designate a lower inclusionary requirement for smaller developments, we would urge the following:6-12 units: 15%13 units and above: 20%
We chose this breakdown because reducing the inclusionary requirement from 20% to 15% for developments of 6-12 units would mostly not affect the total number of affordable units developed. It would lessen or eliminate those developers’ obligation to make a cash payment where the IZ requirement works out to less than .5 of a unit. Starting at 13 units, reducing the inclusionary requirement from 20% to 15% would reduce the affordable housing contribution by a full unit. (see chart)
| Size of project | Affordable units with 15% IZ | Affordable units with 20% IZ |
| 6 units | 1 unit | 1.2 rounded to 1 |
| 7 units | 1.05 rounded to 1 | 1.4 rounded to 1 |
| 8 units | 1.2 rounded to 1 | 1.6 rounded to 2 |
| 9 units | 1.35 rounded to 1 | 1.8 rounded to 2 |
| 10 units | 1.5 rounded to 2 | 2 units |
| 11 units | 1.65 rounded to 2 | 2.2 rounded to 2 |
| 12 units | 1.8 rounded to 2 | 2.4 rounded to 2 |
| 13 units | 1.95 rounded to 2 | 2.6 rounded to 3 |
We would consider this a reasonable compromise, if the aldermen determine it is necessary in order to achieve passage of a 20% requirement for developments of 13 or more units.
* One of the goals of our proposal is to substantially increase the amount of affordable units created for all income tiers: low-, moderate-, and middle-income. 1 out of every 6 inclusionary units should be allocated to the middle-income tier for rental projects, with the other units distributed between the low- and moderate-income tiers.
* AHOC does not support exempting the future Assembly Row housing development from the new 20% rate, since it has the potential to provide a large number of affordable housing units.