[Massplanners] Single, Two, & Multi "Family" Uses

[andre at leroux.solutions]

Here in Medford, we’re doing a zoning recodification with Attorney Mark Bobrowski to modernize and clarify our ordinance, and this was an issue of significant discussion. Many residents felt strongly that “family” should not be defined and regulated, since they come in all flavors regardless of blood relation: https://www.wickedlocal.com/story/medford-transcript/2021/11/23/medford-proposed-zoning-changes-target-how-many-can-live-together/8679882002/

 

However, being a college town (Tufts), there is concern by neighbors about students, overcrowding, and related issues. Regulating occupancy by number of family members has been the legacy approach, but after exploring the issues with our building inspector and Attorney Bobrowski, it’s clear that it cannot be enforced in court, so we need to shift away from that and toward clearly enforceable matters like health, safety, noise, and parking.

 

As a result, we moved to more neutral terminology like “dwelling” and “household” and defining “lodgers” and most people seem happy with that outcome. 

 

We also removed language throughout the document referring to ambiguous and potentially exclusionary concepts like neighborhood character, and replaced it with concrete language relating to performance standards. Happy to share our 26-page memo of recommendations to the City Council with anyone who wants to see the actual language.

 

Andre Leroux

Chair, Medford Community Development Board

andre at leroux.solutions <mailto:andre at leroux.solutions> 

 

 

From: MassPlanners <massplanners-bounces at masscptc.org> On Behalf Of Andrew Groff via MassPlanners
Sent: Tuesday, February 8, 2022 9:35 AM
To: massplanners at masscptc.org
Subject: [Massplanners] Single, Two, & Multi "Family" Uses

 

Good Morning Planners -

Have any communities out there modified their bylaws or ordinances to remove the term "family" from use designations such as single family, two family, and multi family to describe different dwelling unit types? Williamstown's Planning Board is looking into replacing these terms with more inclusive language. These terms seem to be embedded in other aspects of state law including Ch. 40A and the State Building Code, so curious to see how other communities might have accomplished this. 

 

Thanks all, 

Andrew Groff 


 

-- 

Town of Williamstown
Community Development Dept.
Andrew Groff, A.I.C.P.
Director
31 North Street
Williamstown, Mass. 01267
(413) 597-8284
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