The issue we were most concerned with was the Inclusionary Zoning ordinance, which would require private developers to set aside a portion of their units for renters or homeowners who were making less than area median income (AMI). At present, Salem does not have an formal ordinance mandating this for developers, and all agreements are “gentlemens’ agreements,” most of which are 10% units at 80AMI. The IZ was under discussion and planning for over a year. Both Councilors Dominguez and Madore were included in the planning phase. Councilors Madore and Dibble were included during the roll-out phase in their tenure with the Affordable Housing trust fund board. There was time for input last year when the ordinance was being written and reviewed, prior to putting it forward to the council.
Nevertheless, the year’s worth of input and legitimate efforts to reach compromise were ignored and the ordinance was sunk by the four councilors who are routinely opposed to any measure of change regarding zoning.
From the beginning (in OLLA and through council) Councilor Madore acknowledged that it was okay to make changes between first and second passage.
Councilor Hapworth noted that the “super majority” was not “bullying,” but trying to advance conversations; move things forward, even if they are not perfect. He also mentioned that some of the later introductions, like Councilor Dibble’s request for 25% affordability on municipal land, was sound, but not appropriate for the IZ.
Dibble was unwilling to compromise, despite his use of the word. He disagreed with direct advice from the city solicitor, who noted that the IZ was not the proper place for the municipal land clause, she said it would be better suited in the ordinances governing disposition of land. Dibble disregarded months of research from the planning committee and the MAPC. He never (to my mind) had any intent on voting in the affirmative unless his demands were met 100%.
The city put forward 8 options that would work financially, yet there was no will to make this work for the citizens of Salem by Councilors Dibble, Dominguez, Flynn, or Sargent. They failed us.
Jen Lynch