Woburn planners advance housing production plan review to maintain 40B compliance

The Woburn City Planning Board received an update Oct. 14 on the city’s housing production plan designed to help the city maintain compliance with Chapter 40B housing rules.

Planning Director John told the board the draft update is on schedule and that consultant Jen Golson will present the draft to the planning board on Nov. 12 and to the city council on Dec. 3. Casey and the mayor joined John on a conference call with the consultant the same day, John said.

John described the primary purpose of the housing production plan as ensuring the city remains on track to meet its affordable‑housing percentage requirement: “It’s of utmost importance, you know, if the city maintains its 10% housing stock in the affordable category in accordance with state statutes, then we don't get surprised with 40B projects,” he said. He also noted the city’s current affordable housing percentage is 10.7, as reflected in the director’s report.

Board members discussed the relationship between local zoning and state requirements; John explained that affordability requirements are enforced both through statute and local zoning when projects are permitted. He said the last housing production plan update was in February 2017 and that the current update responds to recent multifamily development trends.

Casey confirmed the consultant will appear before the planning board on Nov. 12 to present the draft report and said the consultant has also scheduled a presentation before the city council on Dec. 3 for further public input.

No formal board vote was taken on the plan at the Oct. 14 meeting; the item remains in the planning and public‑review stages, with subsequent approvals required by the planning board and city council before signature by the mayor.