Please Vote YES for the Multifamily Overlay District
Article 1 of the Special Town Meeting asks residents to approve the proposed Zoning Bylaw to create a multifamily overlay district, as required by the State Legislature.
The Article defines three subdistricts. These are shown on the proposed zoning map:
The Downtown Station zone, which includes a downtown transit district and a downtown residential area
The Ballardvale Station zone
The River Road zone
Zoning changes enables affordability and economic development
Why is this necessary? Massachusetts has among the highest, and fastest growing, home prices and rents of any state. These high costs are a disadvantage for Massachusetts and Andover to compete economically. Restrictive zoning laws have prevented us from producing enough housing to meet the demand, especially multifamily housing. By encouraging multifamily housing near transit, retail, and services, these zoning changes will enable us to achieve our goals for housing affordability, sustainability, and economic development.
Multiple forms of housing possible
Multifamily housing can come in many forms, such as duplexes, townhouses, and cottage court style homes. By encouraging a broad range of housing types at a variety of price points, Andover can remain a place where older adults can downsize and stay close to their grandchildren, young couples can buy their first home, and small businesses can retain employees.
By voting YES for the Multifamily Overlay District, we are saying yes to walkable neighborhoods, yes to housing affordability, yes to climate resiliency, yes to stronger municipal finances, and yes to maintaining a welcoming community where everyone can thrive.
Vote Yes!
For over a year, the MBTA community working group and town staff have been listening to the residents to inform the location of this overlay district so that it complies with the law, and meets the needs of Andover today and those who may live here in the future.
Andover Community Trust and the Andover Housing For All Coalition wholeheartedly supports Article 1 Multifamily Overlay District. Please come to town meeting on April 30 and vote YES for this article.
