[Massplanners] Family definition

[janetmcgowan30 at comcast.net]

Limiting the number of unrelated people living together—whatever the definition—hits differently in a college town where approximately 70% of residents are students. The goal here in Amherst is to keep neighborhoods from being overrun by student housing, so bylaw limits to 4 unrelated people.  Mixed results, partly due to lack of enforcement but mostly due to the higher rents students (or their families) can pay. 

> On Feb 29, 2024, at 4:54 PM, andre--- via MassPlanners <massplanners at masscptc.org> wrote:
> 
> In Medford, we also eliminated “family” from our definitions last year when we updated our zoning code and replaced it with household.
>  
> Household: All the people who occupy a single housing unit, regardless of their relationship to one another.
>  
> Andre Leroux
> Medford Zoning Board
>  
> From: MassPlanners <massplanners-bounces at masscptc.org> On Behalf Of Charles Hornig via MassPlanners
> Sent: Thursday, February 29, 2024 4:44 PM
> To: 'Jamie Webb' <jwebb at easthamptonma.gov>; 'Listserv Listserv' <massplanners at masscptc.org>
> Subject: Re: [Massplanners] Family definition
>  
> From Lexington’s zoning:
>  
> HOUSEHOLD
> One or more individuals living together as a single housekeeping unit and occupying one dwelling or rooming unit.
> 
>  
> Charles Hornig
> Lexington Planning Board
>  
> From: MassPlanners <massplanners-bounces at masscptc.org <mailto:massplanners-bounces at masscptc.org>> On Behalf Of Jamie Webb via MassPlanners
> Sent: Thursday, February 29, 2024 15:10
> To: Listserv Listserv <massplanners at masscptc.org <mailto:massplanners at masscptc.org>>
> Subject: [Massplanners] Family definition
>  
> Hi all,
> We are working to reduce bias present in our zoning ordinance and are looking at the definition of Family. How have other communities dealt with revising this definition? If you have a good definition of family in your ordinance, please share. 
>  
> Currently, our ordinance seems to be biased against nontraditional housekeeping units and would seem to have a disparate impact on nontraditional families, immigrants, foster care households, etc. Our current definition of Family is:
> "A number of individuals related by blood, marriage, and/or adoption or a group of unrelated individuals not to exceed four (4) who are occupying a dwelling unit and living as a single nonprofit housekeeping unit. This definition, however, does not apply to non-related disabled persons as defined by any applicable federal and/or state law and/or regulations."
>  
> Thank you!
>  
> Jamie Webb
> Senior Planner
> City of Easthampton - Planning Department
> 50 Payson Avenue, Easthampton, MA 01027
> 413.529.1405  /  Website <https://easthamptonma.gov/176/Planning>  /  Facebook <https://www.facebook.com/Easthampton-Planning-Department-380076865424358>
> Please be aware that the Massachusetts Secretary of State considers e-mail to be a public record subject to the provisions of the MA Public Records Law, MGL ch. 66. 
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