Housing Partnership Committee signs off on Local Initiative application for 134 Fischer Street

The Housing Partnership Committee voted March 13 to authorize the chair to sign the Local Initiative Program (LAU) application for local action units at 134 Fischer Street.

Staff reported the planning board issued a special permit on May 21, 2024 for an 18-unit multifamily development of one-bedroom units (each roughly 624 sq. ft.) with one parking space per unit; that permit and the current Local Initiative submission cover the first phase of a larger site that could in a future phase total 40 units. Under the zoning and permit as issued, four units in the phase-one project are designated affordable.

Staff and trustees clarified residency preference rules after discussion with the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC): a resident veteran would be eligible for resident preference but the current permit cannot grant a separate local preference for non-resident veterans because the law allowing veterans’ local-preference status was not in effect when the permit decision was made.

A motion to authorize the chair to sign the LAU application 'as presented' was moved, seconded and approved by roll-call vote (4–0). The decision documents will be executed by the chair and returned as part of the Local Initiative application process.