Proposed Amendment No. 8 - Section 2200 Housing for Older Persons

Section 2200

Reasons for proposed changes

First, the Ordinance needed a clear definition of Housing for Older Persons Developments.

Second, the definitions of Impact Fees and Off-site Improvement Fees was removed. These fees have their own sections in the Ordinance and don’t need to be redefined here.

Third, in Brookline, the minimum dwelling size is 576 square feet. This proposed change makes all the minimum dwelling sizes in Brookline the same for primary dwellings.

Many of the remaining changes are designed to require a Housing for Older Persons Development to be built with Older Persons in mind by requiring accessible first floor bathrooms and primary bedrooms, and covered parking. The Community Center is required to be accessible as well.

Finally, with recent changes in State laws, any density bonuses or procedural bonus given to Housing for Older Person must be provided to Workforce Housing. With these changes, no housing development will be exempt from the Growth Management Ordinance.