<div dir="ltr"><div>Jeff identifies where a lot of opposition to affordable and attainable housing comes from, even in spite of the overwhelming social and economic need for such housing. </div><div><br></div><div>I will point out, however, that while the American Farmland Trust (AFT) identified the high cost of residential development, they used a <b>average cost approach.</b> When the Citizens Housing and Planning Association (CHAPA) did a similar analysis, specifically of multi-family housing, they used a <b>marginal cost approach</b>, which resulted in very different outcomes. New housing rarely creates the need for a new city hall, fire station, police station, etc, so the marginal cost from new housing is much lower.</div><div><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_signature" data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div><br><i><font color="#0000ff" style="background-color:rgb(255,255,255)">Wayne Feiden FAICP</font></i></div></div></div></div><br></div><br><div class="gmail_quote gmail_quote_container"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">On Fri, Jun 20, 2025 at 10:27\u202fAM Jeff Lacy via MassPlanners <<a href="mailto:massplanners@masscptc.org">massplanners@masscptc.org</a>> wrote:<br></div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex"><div class="msg-9054094150645190577"><div lang="EN-US" style="overflow-wrap: break-word;"><div class="m_-9054094150645190577WordSection1"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Fundamental rub with lower-priced housing, technically \u201caffordable\u201d or not, is fiscal. Cities and towns are principally concerned with making their budgets work without overrides and revolts. Their principal obligations are to provide essential services and infrastructure that residents expect and retaining an experienced high-quality workforce. <u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The American Farmland Trust some decades back did a \u201cCosts of Community Services\u201d study in New England that looked at various land uses, what local government services they demanded, and how much they contributed in property taxes toward those services. Commercial, industrial, and open space all demanded less than they contributed. Residential, as a category, demanded more than contributed. But the residential results were a mixed bag, with an assessed value cutoff between the homes that covered their costs (higher assessed values) and those that did not (lower assessed values). <u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">For the AFT the takeaway was that, as a category, open farmland not only exerted fewer demands upon municipal services, but actually subsidized residential. So keeping those lands from being residentially subdivided made dollars and sense. For municipalities, the takeaway was that, fiscally, if there\u2019s a given family of four in a house, it\u2019s better for the town that the house have a higher assessed value (to better pay for the same service demands, education in particular).<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">This tension between a societal need and a fiscal reality is the point I think Harry is making.<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Jeff Lacy<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Rural Planning Associates<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">896 Graves Road<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Conway, MA 01341<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">(413) 230-9693 (cell)<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><a href="mailto:ruralplanningassociates@crocker.com" target="_blank"><span style="color:rgb(5,99,193)">ruralplanningassociates@crocker.com</span></a><u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> <u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><u></u> <u></u></span></p><div><div style="border-right:none;border-bottom:none;border-left:none;border-top:1pt solid rgb(225,225,225);padding:3pt 0in 0in"><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">From:</span></b><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> MassPlanners <<a href="mailto:massplanners-bounces@masscptc.org" target="_blank">massplanners-bounces@masscptc.org</a>> <b>On Behalf Of </b>Harry LaCortiglia via MassPlanners<br><b>Sent:</b> Friday, June 20, 2025 6:34 AM<br><b>To:</b> Judi Barrett <<a href="mailto:judi@barrettplanningllc.com" target="_blank">judi@barrettplanningllc.com</a>><br><b>Cc:</b> <a href="mailto:massplanners@masscptc.org" target="_blank">massplanners@masscptc.org</a><br><b>Subject:</b> Re: [Massplanners] Starter Homes M.G.L c40Y Draft Regulations Public Comment Period<u></u><u></u></span></p></div></div><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p><p><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Since we're currently at 11.4 % Affordable on the SHI it's a safe bet that the Town recognizes the inherent value in affordability, Judi.</span><u></u><u></u></p><p><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">The challenge to adopting new districts at town meeting in this community can often come down to framing the argument in beneficial monetary terms. </span><u></u><u></u></p><p><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Years ago our attempt at a 40R adoption failed by only 2 votes at Town Meeting. By the time we were ready to try adoption again at a subsequent Town Meeting, the State's incentive funding had dried up.</span><u></u><u></u></p><p><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">We lost the carrot. </span><u></u><u></u></p><p><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Not surprisingly, we do not have a 40R District.</span><u></u><u></u></p><p><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">In the aftermath of a contentious MBTA 3A adoption, until the bruises fade, the passing of new Zoning Amendments will now entail getting the citizens to forget the stick EOHLC used to achieve MBTA 3A adoption, and focusing more on the potential carrots that the town may receive. </span><u></u><u></u></p><p><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">We just went through a Prop 2&1/2 override, so carrot$ could be very helpful.</span><u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Best,</span><br><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">H. LaCortiglia</span><br><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Georgetown P.B.</span><u></u><u></u></p><p><u></u> <u></u></p><blockquote style="margin-top:5pt;margin-bottom:5pt"><div><div><p class="MsoNormal">It seems to me the best incentive is getting some affordably priced housing! <u></u><u></u></p></div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><img border="0" width="96" height="80" style="width: 1in; height: 0.8333in;" id="m_-9054094150645190577_x0000_i1026" src="https://ci3.googleusercontent.com/mail-sig/AIorK4zloGRMrfwdnfaqdwc7ZClpXiotJNuPL01PVO559hFP_FVuSNLcP29Xeea-WQwecu5HODnMhTY"><u></u><u></u></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal">Judi Barrett<u></u><u></u></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal">(she, her, hers)<u></u><u></u></p></div><div><div><div><p class="MsoNormal">Barrett Planning Group LLC<u></u><u></u></p></div><p class="MsoNormal">350 Lincoln Street, Ste 2503<u></u><u></u></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal">Hingham, MA 02043<u></u><u></u></p></div><div><div><p class="MsoNormal">(p) 781-934-0073<u></u><u></u></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal">(c) 781-206-6045<u></u><u></u></p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p></div><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p><div><div><p class="MsoNormal">On Thu, Jun 19, 2025 at 6:37<span style="font-family:Arial,sans-serif">\u202f</span>AM Harry LaCortiglia via MassPlanners <<a href="mailto:massplanners@masscptc.org" target="_blank">massplanners@masscptc.org</a>> wrote:<u></u><u></u></p></div><blockquote style="border-top:none;border-right:none;border-bottom:none;border-left:1pt solid rgb(204,204,204);padding:0in 0in 0in 6pt;margin-left:4.8pt;margin-right:0in"><div><p><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Thank you Filipe,</span><u></u><u></u></p><p><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">The link you provided states that "Massachusetts offers incentives and technical assistance for towns and cities to create these districts."</span><u></u><u></u></p><p><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Could you elaborate with respect to the incentives for towns?</span><u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Best,</span><br><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">H. LaCortiglia</span><br><span style="font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">Georgetown P.B. </span><u></u><u></u></p><div><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><u></u> <u></u></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal">On 6/18/2025 3:19 PM, Zamborlini, Filipe (EOHLC) via MassPlanners wrote:<u></u><u></u></p></div><blockquote style="margin-top:5pt;margin-bottom:5pt"><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt">Dear MassPlanners,</span><u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt"> </span><u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt">The Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) is pleased to announce the opening of the public comment period for the Starter Home/Chapter 40Y regulations. We welcome your continued feedback on these draft regulations during the public comment period that starts on June 20, 2025 and closes on July 25, 2025. Submit a comment at <a href="http://www.mass.gov/starterhomes" target="_blank">www.mass.gov/starterhomes</a>. We anticipate that final regulations will be effective in the early fall.</span><u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt"> </span><u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt">Thank you,</span><u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt">Filipe</span><u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt"> </span><u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Filipe Zamborlini (he/him/his)</span></i></b><u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Manager, Community Assistance Unit</span><u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC)</span><u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Livable Communities Division</span><u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">100 Cambridge Street, Suite 300</span><u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Boston, MA 02114</span><u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="mailto:filipe.zamborlini@mass.gov" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">filipe.zamborlini@mass.gov</span></a><u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </span><u></u><u></u></p><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="border-collapse:collapse"><tbody><tr><td style="padding:0.75pt"><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://outlook.office.com/bookwithme/user/b4eb39dbb6b34b3fb6d841ec0fdb7916@mass.gov?anonymous&ep=signature" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;text-decoration:none"><img border="0" width="20" height="20" style="width: 0.2083in; height: 0.2083in;" id="m_-9054094150645190577_x0000_i1025" src="https://res.cdn.office.net/assets/bookwithme/misc/CalendarPerson20px.png"></span></a><u></u><u></u></p></td><td style="padding:0.75pt"></td><td style="padding:0.75pt"><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://outlook.office.com/bookwithme/user/b4eb39dbb6b34b3fb6d841ec0fdb7916@mass.gov?anonymous&ep=signature" target="_blank"><span style="font-size:10pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,120,212)">Book time to meet with me</span></a><u></u><u></u></p></td><td style="padding:0.75pt"></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal"> <u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal"> <u></u><u></u></p></div><p class="MsoNormal"><br><br><u></u><u></u></p></blockquote></div><p class="MsoNormal">-- <br>MassPlanners mailing list<br><a href="mailto:MassPlanners@masscptc.org" target="_blank">MassPlanners@masscptc.org</a><br><a href="http://masscptc.org/mailman/listinfo/massplanners_masscptc.org" target="_blank">http://masscptc.org/mailman/listinfo/massplanners_masscptc.org</a><u></u><u></u></p></blockquote></div></blockquote></div></div>-- <br>
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