News & Updates

September 2023 | Issue 10

Waterfield Lot Ongoing Permit Approval Hearings

The Planning Board hearing on a zoning permit for the Civic proposal continued on Tuesday, September 12. The next hearing will be Tuesday, September 26th to interview a possible peer reviewer who will review design aspects.

At the September 12th hearing, there was some discussion of the design, and the chair said every hearing will include an opportunity for public comments. You can find Waterfield project information at this website, and you can watch past Planning Board meeting recordings online at WinCAM

Winchester 2018 Housing Production Plan

The Town Manager is currently organizing an advisory committee of town stakeholders and residents of various backgrounds to gather data and write an updated Housing Production Plan. The advisory committee will be assisted by a consultant from the Metro Area Planning Council (MAPC). Chapter 40B requires the HPP to be updated every five years. The target to complete the update is spring or summer of 2024. Watch for announcements on the town website for details if you might be interested in serving on this advisory committee.

Definitions

We include definitions in our newsletters to help acclimate readers to the most frequently used acronyms and jargon in housing parlance statewide.

Housing Production Plan (HPP) — A local plan developed according to Chapter 40B regulations that establishes a five-year strategic plan for municipal action on housing. It must be based upon a comprehensive housing needs assessment and set affordable housing goals and implementation strategies. Following adoption by votes of local boards, the plan is submitted to the state for approval. A state-approved Housing Production Plan is required before a community can attain Safe Harbor. Sometimes called an “HPP.”

Note: Winchester’s Housing Production Plan was adopted and approved in 2018 and must be updated every five years. As of 9/1/2023, Winchester is preparing to start the HPP update.

Upcoming Dates of Interest

Sept 26

Planning Board meeting to discuss Waterfield parking and traffic. The town government calendar will list the meeting agenda and Zoom information closer to the date.

Upcoming Programs of Interest

Affordable Housing 101 September Session l Tuesday, Sept 19 l 6:30PM l Virtual Program

The CHAPA Municipal Engagement Initiative Team will offer its next Affordable Housing 101 session on Tuesday, September 19. Topics cover how affordable housing is created, funded, built and supported.

Confronting the History of Housing Discrimination - with JALSA l Tuesday, Sept 26 l 6:30-8PM l Virtual Program

The CHAPA Municipal Engagement Initiative Team is again partnering with the Jewish Alliance for Law and Social Action (JALSA) to offer this virtual session, which will cover:

● Defining racism

● Introduction to the racial wealth and opportunity gap

● Building an inequitable America: history of zoning and housing discrimination

● Introduction to affordable housing in this context

● Framing our challenge

● Building an Inclusive Community

● Making the affirmative case for affordable housing development