Rockland holds off on inclusionary zoning law until March - Courier-Gazette & Camden Herald

ROCKLAND — The Rockland City Council voted Monday night to hold off approval of an inclusionary zoning law until March to allow more people to offer their comments on the proposal.

But Councilors gave preliminary approval Dec. 13 to setting a 200-square-foot minimum floor size for residences.

The Council voted 4-1 (Councilor Nate Davis) to postpone action on the inclusionary zoning ordinance until March. This proposal would require developer of new housing, including hotels, to set aside a percentage for affordable housing or pay a fee.

The revised proposal would require that 15 percent of the housing be set aside for affordable residences. This is down from 20 percent from the original proposal. And the income guideline for people who would be eligible for that affordable housing was increased from 80 percent of the average median income to 100 percent of that median income (for example $49,300 for a single person).

“The combined effect of these two changes will allow for fewer required units overall (or a lower fee-in-lieu), while allowing permitted rent to be slightly higher,” Councilor Sarah Austin stated.

A couple speakers asked the Council to hold off on the proposal.

Everett Spear said while affordable housing is desirable, the proposed ordinance was not ready for Rockland. He said the proposal is trying to pattern the law after one in Portland but that Portland is a completely different city with nearly 10 times the population, lower home ownership, and a much greater population density.

Spear said the inclusionary ordinance would increase the cost of development in Rockland.

Councilor Louise MacLellan-Ruf said instead of an inclusionary zone it was more like an exclusionary zone by having not included developers in the discussions. Councilor Nicole Kalloch said not all the stakeholders have been involved in the development of the ordinance. She said the proposal should await the arrival of the new city planner, and the re-starting of an economic development advisory committee.

Councilor Austin said developers and property owners are not the only stakeholders and the city should not only listen to people who would benefit from the law being mothballed.

Councilor Davis agreed.

“People being priced out of housing in Rockland should also have a voice,” Davis said.

The Council voted 3-2 Dec. 13 to give preliminary approval to the ordinance submitted by Davis to set a 200-square-foot minimum floor space across different zones.

MacLellan Ruf asked for the Council to hold off on the proposal until the planner is on board.

Davis said, however, the city has been discussing this issue for years.

Davis said the city’s land-use laws over-regulate. There is no public benefit to a variety of square footage requirements for a variety of zones, he said. And, he maintained, the rest of the world is going in a different direction than the city’s land-use laws.

The proposed change will not lead to a dramatic change in residential construction in Rockland, the councilor said.

Rockland residents approved 1,354 to 654 an advisory referendum on Nov. 2 that read: “Do you support amending Rockland’s zoning regulations to allow smaller, more efficient, more affordable dwellings?”

In other action, the City Council voted 3-2 (MacLellan Ruf and Kalloch opposed) to extend the outdoor liquor license for Cafe Miranda. Austin said it would be capricious to cut off the ability of the restaurant to serve alcohol. The City Council has approved Cafe Miranda to use part of Oak Street indefinitely.

In other action, the Council presented Public Services foreman Todd Philbrook with a framed certificate and plaque for 20 years of service.

source: https://knox.villagesoup.com/2021/12/13/rockland-holds-off-on-inclusionary-zoning-law-until-march/

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