Photo: City of Boston
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) – The City of Boston is removing parking minimums for affordable housing developments.
On Wednesday, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu signed an amendment to the Boston Zoning Code that will eliminate off-street parking minimums for affordable housing developments.
The amendment will remove parking minimums for developments where at least 60% of the units are income-restricted at 100% Area Median Income (AMI) or below. Wu said this action will help break barriers that block the creation of new affordable housing across the city.
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“We need every tool in our toolbox to address our city’s housing crisis,” she said. “Eliminating parking minimums removes an outdated standard from our zoning code and will spur new housing to make it easier for Bostonians to live and stay in our city.”
The signing comes after a unanimous approval by the Boston Zoning Commission and the Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) Board last month. The zoning change will help each individual project determine the necessary amount of off-street parking based on the needs of the project’s residents.
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“Eliminating parking minimums for affordable housing developments in Boston is a major step towards expediting much needed transit-oriented housing and moving forward on our climate and sustainability goals,” said BPDA Director Brian Golden. “I thank the BPDA staff and our partners in City Council who have helped us move this important zoning amendment forward.”
The Boston City Council passed the text amendment unanimously back in October. It was put forward by Council President Pro Tempore Matt O’Malley and Councilor Kenzie Bok where were also at the signing.
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