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FROM ALDERS SABIN, FLORES, DOUGLASS, HUBBARD AND C. RODRIGUEZ SUBMITTING A TEXT AND MAP AMENDMENT TO THE NEW HAVEN CODE OF ORDINANCES TO ESTABLISH THE DOWNTOWN FOR ALL OVERLAY DISTRICT
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WHEREAS: All citizens of the City of New Haven should have access to a variety of safe, quality, affordable housing choices in all neighborhoods; and
WHEREAS: the City of New Haven recognizes the need for a variety of strategies and zoning
updates to address the complex issue of accessible and affordable housing; and
WHEREAS: the establishment of the Downtown for All Overlay District will accomplish these goals by increasing the diversity of housing that can be built in Downtown New Haven, including through the creation of two overlay zones: the Downtown for All Inner Core and the Downtown for All Outer Core; and
WHEREAS: the goals of the Downtown for All Overlay District include: expanding access to affordable housing; growing the City’s tax base to support City services and a lower mill rate; creating good jobs through new construction and at local businesses; improving public safety by increasing foot traffic; and reducing local emissions by helping more residents live closer to jobs, school, shops, and public transit; and
WHEREAS: New Haven’s Zoning Code was last revised in 1965 and does not reflect the needs of residents or market conditions that exist today; and
WHEREAS: amending the New Haven Zoning ordinance to reduce barriers to housing development is a vital step in encouraging dense, affordable, and diverse development that increases housing access and vibrancy in the Downtown; and
WHEREAS: changes in the Inner Core will allow buildings with a larger maximum Floor Area Ratio (FAR) of 12.0 (subject to applicable density bonuses under the Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance), a lower minimum Gross Floor Area per unit ratio (GFA) of 400 sq. ft., a lower amenity space requirement, and more flexibility for rooming and boarding houses; and
WHEREAS: the same changes will apply in the Outer Core except that the maximum FAR will be 6.0 (subject to applicable density bonuses under the Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance); and
WHEREAS: the Downtown for All Overlay District will grow New Haven’s tax base by expanding the potential for mixed-use development, which will bring in additional tax revenue; and
WHEREAS: establishment of the Downtown for All Overlay District will also create good jobs in New Haven, as the new zoning will allow for increased construction in Downtown, creating construction jobs, and an increased residential population in Downtown will support local businesses and their workers; and
WHEREAS: the Downtown for All Overlay District will also support public safety in Downtown because with empty lots filled in and new residents in the neighborhood, there will be more foot traffic to keep Downtown streets feeling vibrant and safe; and
WHEREAS: the Downtown for All Overlay District will help our City lower greenhouse gas emissions and local air pollution by making it possible for more residents to live closer to their jobs, schools, shops, and public transit; and
WHEREAS: the Map and Text Amendments and their provisions are in accordance with the New Haven Comprehensive Plan for development; and
WHEREAS: the Map and Text Amendments are consistent with the land uses and the zoning classifications of neighboring parcels and the standards set forth in Article XIII, Sections 2B through 2E of the Charter, which further the goals of increasing affordable housing choices throughout the city.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED: that the text amendments to the Zoning Ordinance with regards to increasing the allowable density for units in multifamily dwellings; allowing rooming or boarding houses by special permit in the Downtown for All Overlay District; increasing the maximum Floor Area Ratio (FAR) in the Downtown for All Inner Core to 12 and Outer Core to 6 not including hotel developments which shall remain at a maximum FAR of 6; and reducing required common amenity space; in accordance with the text amendments which are more particularly described in the attached.
BE IT THEREFORE FURTHER ORDAINED: by the Board of Alders of the City of New Haven that the Map and Text Amendments are hereby adopted with the modifications of the existing zoning requirements requested by members of the Board of Alders as described in the attached hereto and made a part of this Ordinance.