Special Dimensional Permits and Affordable Housing

Appropriate zoning is critical to creating affordable housing. Special Dimensional Permits are one important element for building affordable housing in Andover.

Zoning regulates the dimensional requirements for lots or parcels of land in town. Dimensional requirements typically include standards for setbacks and side yards, minimum lot sizes and building heights. Zoning also determines the density of development and what can and cannot be built. For instance, residents are protected from intrusive commercial or industrial activities because those types of businesses are not permitted in residential zones.  Similarly, commercial activity can be encouraged by the creation of industrial or general business zones. Mixed-use zones can be created for places like town centers to encourage both retail and residential uses.

Where residential development is permitted, the bylaws have rules governing the size that a parcel of land must be for a single-family home. There are multiple residential zones in Andover, with zones with larger minimum lot sizes generally further from downtown and zones with small minimum lot sizes closer to downtown. For example, in Andover, in the Single Residential A (SRA) Zone, a conforming lot must be at least 15,000 square feet. You can see the zoning map for Andover on the Andover website.

If there is a parcel within a particular zone that is smaller than the minimum size for that zone then it may not be a conforming lot. The value of that lot would be diminished accordingly. However, a special permit can be issued by the town to build an affordable home on such a lot. This is called a Special Dimensional Permit.

To receive a Special Dimensional Permit there are very specific conditions that must be met and the affordability of any home constructed via this permit must meet federal and state guidelines. If these conditions are met, then a building lot can contain a new affordable home! The Andover Community Trust works tirelessly to identify opportunities in town where we can build affordable housing, so that Andover can welcome the folks who want to live here.