City Council approves new zoning ordinance for affordable housing

By Barbara Taormina

The Revere City Council voted unanimously for a zoning ordinance that establishes the Fenno Street Affordable Housing Overlay District after a favorable recommendation by the Zoning Subcommittee. Creating the overlay district is the first step in an eventual development that city officials believe will bring a significant addition to Revere’s affordable housing stock and add some protection against 40B construction projects, which allow developers to bypass zoning restrictions if a municipality’s housing stock includes less than 10 percent of affordable housing.

Planning and Community Development Chief Tom Skwierawski presented the plan as a development by right that would have a minimum of 25 percent affordable units. But councillors wanted a better deal for Revere.

Councillor-at-Large Michelle Kelley proposed an amendment to the ordinance that would require 80 percent of any development to be affordable. Within that 80 percent, 70 percent of the new housing would be earmarked for Revere residents. And within that 70 percent of local preference for Revere residents, 20 percent of the housing would be available to seniors, and 20 percent would be for veterans. “This is a great opportunity for us, and we need to take advantage of it now, so it is a win-win for the city,” said Kelley.

Zoning Committee member Ward 2 Councillor Ira Novelselsky said veterans would likely be interested in studio or one-bedroom units, and he asked how that housing would be reserved for them. Skwierawski said that could be sorted out. “I’m just trying to protect the veterans,” said Novoselsky. “I just want to make sure there is a list, I want to make sure they are taken care of.”

Skwierawski said an 80 percent affordable requirement might be difficult for developers seeking financing. He suggested 75 percent affordable threshold, and Kelley agreed to change her amendment to 75 percent.

“If a developer comes in and is unable to get financing because of the restraints we put on it, we could amend the ordinance again,” said Kelley.

Ward 3 Councillor Anthony Cogliandro asked what type of oversight the City Council would have over a development. Any project planned for the site would be developed to harmonize with the Chelsea Housing Authority, which is next door. Because the Fenno Street parcel is landlocked by Chelsea private property, Revere and Chelsea would need to hammer out several intermunicipal agreements for services, such as first responders, for which Revere would pay an impact fee.

The Zoning Subcommittee voted unanimously in favor of the overlay district with Kelley’s amendments, which was recommended to the full City Council, which also voted unanimously in favor of the zoning.