The Walpole Housing Partnership (WHP) is working with the Board of Selectmen and others to draft a zoning bylaw which would require that larger-scale developments include affordable homes in addition to their market-rate housing. This requirement is called an Inclusionary Zoning Bylaw (IZB).

We know that Walpole needs more affordable homes. 30.2% of homeowners and 58.8% of renters spend more than 30 percent of their income on housing (30 percent of income is considered affordable). Additionally, the percentage of affordable housing (our Subsidized Housing Inventory or SHI) in Walpole is 7.1 percent. Chapter 40B requires that all towns work to reach 10 percent. An Inclusionary Zoning Bylaw is one way in which towns can work towards that goal.

Section 9 of the Zoning Act (https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleVII/Chapter40A/Section9) authorizes communities to adopt bylaws that require a developer to provide a certain portion of affordable units (usually 10% to 25%) within an overall development. To help offset the cost of providing these units, the bylaw may offer an incentive, such as a density bonus (which allows for more density than is allowed by our zoning), waivers of zoning requirements or permit fees, fast-track permitting, local tax abatements, and subsidized infrastructure.  Some communities choose to create a housing trust fund which allows developers to make a payment to the fund instead of building affordable units. The funds in the trust can only be used for affordable development elsewhere in town.

Now, we want to hear from YOU as we develop this bylaw. Please use this survey to let us know what you would like to see in an Inclusionary Zoning Bylaw.