Blue ribbon housing committee urges steps to add permanently below‑market units, recommends Sherburne land process

Councilors presented the Blue Ribbon Committee’s year-end report on affordable housing on Dec. 22, describing a multi-year effort to identify city-owned and private sites, recommend zoning changes and create financing tools to produce permanently below‑market housing.

Councilor Taber summarized the committee’s work: the group met 25 times with additional subgroups and recommended a process for reviewing applications to dispose of Sherburne School land and select a housing partner. The committee also endorsed zoning changes including a Gateway Neighborhood Overlay District (GNOD) intended to enable higher‑density and permanently below‑market housing and suggested exploring a 1% revolving loan fund to support smaller developments.

The presentation cited ongoing projects and targets: Sherburne phase 1 was described as 90 units approved and permanently below market; another project (referred to as Christchurch) was listed at 44 permanently below‑market units; the committee identified Sherburne phase 2 and other pipeline sites that together support the committee’s goal of permitting roughly 500 units over time with a majority below market rate. The committee also recommended expanding programs for first‑time homebuyers, reviewing parking-phase rules, and promoting accessory dwelling units and co‑living models.

Councilors thanked the committee for cross‑sector membership and staff support; the council did not take a formal action to adopt these recommendations on Dec. 22 but indicated they would consider committee recommendations during upcoming agenda items and planning-board referrals.