Fitchburg Committee Approves Housing Plan Final Draft on March 2, 2026

The Fitchburg Housing Advisory Committee met on March 2, 2026, to discuss and vote on Resolution R19-26, approving the final draft of the city's housing plan. The committee heard a presentation from Redevelopment Resources, debated specific goals and data points, and voted unanimously to recommend the plan to the CETA and City Council. Staff also provided updates on housing initiatives, including land banking and down payment assistance programs.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes: The committee voted unanimously to approve the minutes from the October 13, 2025 meeting.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public provided testimony on non-agenda items.

Discussion Items

• Presentation of Final Housing Plan: Kristen Fish Peterson and Dana Sarver of Redevelopment Resources presented the final draft. They summarized public feedback, clarifying that fund capitalization comes from closed TIF districts, not the general levy. They addressed perceptions of overbuilding and tax increases, noting that suggestions like a development moratorium were logged but not included.
• Goals and Objectives: The presentation outlined four goals: 1) ensuring safe, quality, affordable housing; 2) expanding housing supply to meet future demand; 3) promoting equitable access and neighborhood stability; and 4) strengthening collaboration and capacity. The committee discussed annual plan revisits.
• Committee Feedback on Data and Definitions:
  • Mallory Gorman questioned the lack of detailed existing inventory data (Section 42 properties, market rate units, vacancy rates) and the definition of workforce housing. She requested specific unit numbers be added to charts, noting the 3.4% overall and 1.1% income-restricted vacancy rates seemed tight.
  • Olivia Beary expressed support for the plan but raised concerns over first-come, first-served criteria for homeowner rehab, advocating for prioritizing seniors and older homes. She discussed ADUs and small format housing and requested clearer definitions.
  • Bill Jaster praised the financial analysis showing fees were 2-3% of construction cost. He emphasized total cost of living (housing + transportation), advocated for walkable neighborhoods and inclusionary zoning, and expressed concern about income segregation.
  • Staff responded that land banking involves rapid acquisition and turnover, and zoning code changes like cottage courts will be considered in the upcoming rewrite.
• Staff Housing Initiative Updates:
  • Lorreen provided updates on a housing data dashboard, the Efficiency Navigator program, and the land banking program leveraging a $600,000 CDBG grant with $1 million from the housing fund.
  • Down payment assistance program details were shared, allocating $2.5 million for households at 60-110% AMI, with sliding scale up to $20,000.
  • Staff reported that Gorman and Company is proposing a 146-unit development (60 affordable, 86 market-rate) on Index Road.

Key Outcomes

• Unanimous Vote on Resolution R19-26: The committee voted unanimously to approve the final draft of the housing plan, recommending it to higher boards. The motion passed with all members in favor.
• Specific Edits Requested: Edits included updating population figures, clarifying definitions for affordable, workforce, and land banking, adding numerical data to Figure 19, and recommending consideration of cottage courts and by-right housing in the zoning code rewrite.
• Next Steps: The plan will proceed to the CETA committee meeting on March 26, 2026, followed by Council and Finance on April 14, 2026.
• Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned. The next Housing Advisory Committee meeting is scheduled for April 13, 2026.