This article shall apply to all projects subject to these regulations which are required to provide affordable housing units per the Mandatory Inclusionary Zoning Requirements (Article XXVII) of the Barrington Zoning Ordinance.
The following general design standards are for the siting and construction of affordable dwelling units (inclusionary units) required under Article XXVII of the Barrington Zoning Ordinance. The standards are intended to promote well-designed neighborhoods and land development projects that also provide for a broad range of housing opportunities and are compatible with the surrounding community.
A.
Inclusionary dwelling unit design considerations. Required inclusionary dwelling units per § 185-193 of the Barrington Zoning Ordinance shall be similar in exterior design and materials to other dwellings or units within the project or, for off-site projects, within the neighborhood in which they are located. The permitting authority may permit such units to be smaller in size (bulk or footprint) or contain fewer bedrooms and baths than market-rate units within the development or neighborhood. The interior design of required inclusionary dwelling units as well as the materials, finishes and fixtures utilized shall not be subject to the requirements of this article.
B.
The permitting authority shall make affirmative findings of fact
that the design of the inclusionary unit(s) is (are) consistent with
the market-rate units in the overall project or, for off-site units,
within the existing neighborhood, and that the project design meets
the intent of this article.
C.
Lot configuration. The permitting authority may permit inclusionary dwelling units to be sited on smaller lots (in a subdivision setting) than the base zoning district of the development parcel or otherwise modify lot requirements for such inclusionary units/lots in accordance with § 185-196 of the Barrington Zoning Ordinance.
A.
Inclusionary housing plan. In accordance with the standards and procedures
set forth in this article, for any proposed new construction or substantially
rehabilitated residential development, the developer shall submit
to the Administrative Officer an inclusionary housing plan for approval
by the permitting authority. The submission of the inclusionary housing
plan is required at the preliminary plan review stage for a minor
land development project or subdivision or the master plan review
stage for a major land development project or subdivision. For applicable
projects, the Administrative Officer shall not issue a certificate
of completeness until all required components of the required inclusionary
housing plan is submitted, along with all other required items per
these regulations.
B.
Inclusionary housing plan checklist. The inclusionary housing plan,
at a minimum, shall include the following:
(1)
A statement setting forth in detail the manner in which the provisions of this article and Article XXVII of the Barrington Zoning Ordinance will be implemented.
(2)
The manner in which the inclusionary unit requirement is to be satisfied,
whether on-site or off-site.
(3)
A statement of justification for meeting the inclusionary zoning
requirements through the off-site option.
(4)
The proposed location of any inclusionary units to be constructed,
within the development or off-site.
(5)
The gross floor area and number of bedrooms of the proposed inclusionary
unit or units.
(6)
A statement describing how the applicant proposes to utilize the
density bonus, if applicable, in terms of adjustments to minimum lot
sizes and minimum setbacks and frontage.
(7)
A preliminary sketch shall be attached to the agreement showing the
building elevations of the proposed inclusionary unit or units to
be constructed.
(8)
If an off-site unit is proposed, photographs of houses on abutting
lots, including across the street, shall be attached, along with a
map showing the locations of the selected houses in relation to the
lot of the proposed off-site unit.
C.
Inclusionary housing agreement.
(1)
Following final plan approval, the applicant/developer shall execute
and cause to be recorded in the Land Evidence Records an inclusionary
housing agreement as approved by the Planning Board during final plan
review.
(2)
The agreement shall at a minimum include:
(a)
The number and location of all inclusionary units to be provided
either on-site or off-site;
(b)
A reference to Planning Board-approved floor plans showing the
amount of heated living area and number of bedrooms of the inclusionary
unit or units to be provided;
(c)
A statement that the inclusionary unit(s) will be built according
to the Planning Board-approved building elevations;
(d)
The applicable sales price or rent level for each inclusionary
unit;
(e)
A list of any density bonus and/or other local incentives approved
for the project as part of a municipal subsidy program and any state,
federal or private subsidy received for the project;
(f)
A description of how the inclusionary units meet the affordability
requirement in accordance with § 185-200 of the Barrington
Zoning Ordinance;
(g)
A description of how all Planning Board conditions will be satisfied;
D.
Qualification of units. All affordable housing units constructed pursuant to Article XXVII of the Barrington Zoning Ordinance must qualify as low- and moderate- income housing units as defined in Title 45, Chapter 53, of the Rhode Island General Laws. To accomplish this, an applicant shall, at a minimum, make the following submission in conjunction with the final plan:
