[Massplanners] Family definition

[Dwight Merriam]

Good morning.  It's good that you are addressing this problem, Jamie.



See:

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/dwightmerriam_definition-of-family-activity-7169338724453990400-jTen?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop
<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.linkedin.com_posts_dwightmerriam-5Fdefinition-2Dof-2Dfamily-2Dactivity-2D7169338724453990400-2DjTen-3Futm-5Fsource-3Dshare-26utm-5Fmedium-3Dmember-5Fdesktop&d=DwMFaQ&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=EaWBFhlgouCM-eqEWgXO8um7Dw-706JXLWQdmGem7AY&m=8RAqmUjnBpkN8DeZVlJx3BVKuZ2DRWwYftZVJ1PA6pgsDn3LwUiWvz6ibFHEJdry&s=FtiNEsaluxtxAgeZxmrJbA4KrKrYp6Xe8I4157bJF44&e=>



It's a piece from 25 years ago, but still may be useful...and I continue to
like the notion of the functional family in allowing alternative
households, including small group homes, without opening the floodgates of
student housing.



See also:



https://dpla.wisc.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/1021/2017/06/UWEX-Report-Student-Housing-Report-Sorensen-Ohm-final.pdf
<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__dpla.wisc.edu_wp-2Dcontent_uploads_sites_1021_2017_06_UWEX-2DReport-2DStudent-2DHousing-2DReport-2DSorensen-2DOhm-2Dfinal.pdf&d=DwMFaQ&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=EaWBFhlgouCM-eqEWgXO8um7Dw-706JXLWQdmGem7AY&m=TBAT07LUzWg5_k-ComDrfiGo7_4Lq_w2V9bv5BA8UzzeykBFk12rLvGU3_3bmNy6&s=Z0IUSfAVo2XP_VHtINHS511pekF7b4YLnrbqlx9sHTo&e=>

https://rc.com/upload/UL-47-2_01ConnollyMerriam.pdf





Regards,

Dwight Merriam, FAICP

www.dwightmerriam.com
<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.dwightmerriam.com&d=DwMFaQ&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=EaWBFhlgouCM-eqEWgXO8um7Dw-706JXLWQdmGem7AY&m=8RAqmUjnBpkN8DeZVlJx3BVKuZ2DRWwYftZVJ1PA6pgsDn3LwUiWvz6ibFHEJdry&s=P9VqUYD6GXiCvyehsezReO6LBcUCfpdznUSOOdKzvdY&e=>




On Thu, Feb 29, 2024 at 3:12 PM Jamie Webb via MassPlanners <
massplanners at masscptc.org> wrote:

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


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