Town of Provincetown

Public Notice

Amendments to the Provincetown Zoning By-Laws

April 2007 Special & Annual Town Meeting

 

Notice is hereby given that the following amendments to the Provincetown General By-Laws, as voted by the April 4, 2007 Special and Annual Town Meeting, were approved by the Massachusetts Attorney General on June 25, 2007.  This notice is published pursuant to Massachusetts General Law C.40§32.  Any claims that a zoning by-law is invalid because of a defect in the procedure by which the by-law was adopted or amended may only be made within ninety (90) days of this posting.  Copies of the zoning by-laws may be examined and obtained from the Town of Provincetown, Office of the Town Clerk, 260 Commercial St., Provincetown, MA 02657.  By-laws are also available for viewing at the Town web site www.provincetown-ma.gov.

 

            Special Town Meeting Article 4.       Zoning Amendment – Provincetown Community Housing Council. To amend the Provincetown Zoning By-laws by deleting all references therein to the “Provincetown Local Housing Partnership [PLHP]” and inserting in place thereof “Provincetown Community Housing Council [PCHC].”

 

            Special Town Meeting Article 7.       Zoning By-Law Amendment: Growth Management Affordable Housing and Community Housing. To amend the Zoning By-laws, Section 6300(4), to deem properties that have been granted an Affordable Housing Permit or a Community Housing Permit and containing 100% Affordable Housing and/or Community Housing dwelling units to be a public service use pursuant to Section 3 of Chapter 157 of the Acts of 2000, by adding the italicized language so that said section 6300(4) reads as follows:

“4.  Affordable Housing Permits and/or Community Housing Permits will be authorized on a priority basis as established by the PLHP, using criteria including but not limited to housing quality standards, quality of design, degree of affordability in terms of cost, and financial feasibility of the proposal. No Affordable Housing Permit and/or Community Housing Permit shall be issued without prior authorization of the PLHPEach property in which 100% of the dwelling units are Affordable Housing and/or Community Housing, and for which an Affordable Housing Permit or a Community Housing Permit is granted, shall be deemed a public service use under Section 3 of Chapter 157 of the Acts of 2000.

           

            Special Town Meeting Article 9.       Zoning By-law Amendment – Section 4170 – Proposal II. To amend the Zoning By-laws by amending Section 4170 to read as follows:

4170 Change of Use/Non-Residential to Residential Use Conversions

1. Purpose and Intent

The purpose of this by-law is to establish special permit requirements for changes of use from commercial to residential use and to minimize adverse impacts on the community from such development. In addition, this by-law is intended to create additional affordable housing opportunities for Provincetown residents and to assist the Town in creating units eligible for inclusion in its Subsidized Housing Inventory.

2. Applicability

The following types of change of use shall require Special Permit authorization from the Zoning Board of Appeals as provided for in Article 5, Section 5300:

(a)    Any change of use from a non-residential use to a residential use;

(b)   Any change of use from a boarding, lodging or tourist homes use, to a residential use; and

(c)    Any change of use involving mixed use development that alters the existing mix of uses such that a predominantly non-residential development becomes predominantly residential.

3. Requirements

The Zoning Board of Appeals, as a condition of any development referred to in Section 2(a)-(c) shall require that the applicant for special permit approval comply with the following requirements regardless whether other Special Permits or Variances are required:

(a) Such change of use shall be authorized with a Special Permit from the Zoning Board of Appeals as provided for in Section 5300, which may require a Development Impact Statement as specified in Article 5, Section 5331.

(b) The applicant shall obtain a finding of compliance with Title V of the State Sanitary Code, as determined by the Board of Health, with such compliance to be certified by a Registered Engineer.

(c) Any such change of use resulting in the creation of five (5) or more dwelling units shall be required to provide Affordable Housing as defined in Article 1 of these By-laws and more fully described below in Section 4 Provision of Affordable Units.

(d) The project must comply with the provisions of Article 4, Section 4100.

(e)  None of the above shall relieve the applicant of complying with other provisions of these By- Laws.

4.  Provision of Affordable Units

Any special permit application for a change of use requiring an affordable housing provision pursuant to Section 3(c) above shall comply with the following requirements for affordable units. For the purpose of calculating the 20% affordable housing contribution, all numbers shall be rounded to the nearest whole number.  At least 20% of the units created shall be established as affordable housing units and shall be constructed or rehabilitated on the locus subject to the special permit (see Section 5).

         5.  Provisions Applicable to Affordable Housing Units

(a)    Siting of affordable units. All affordable units constructed under this by-law shall be situated within the development so as not to be in less desirable locations than market rate units in the development and shall, on average, be no less accessible to public amenities as the market-rate units.

(b)   Minimum design and construction for affordable units.  Affordable housing units within market rate developments shall be integrated with the rest of the development and shall be compatible in design, appearance, construction and quality of materials with other units.  Where feasible, interior features of affordable units shall comply in all respects to the minimum design and construction standards set forth in the Local Initiative Guidelines by the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) November 2006, or as amended. There shall be a similar proportion of affordable and market rate units in developments with a mix of unit/bedroom sizes.

(c)    Timing of construction or provision of affordable units or lots.  The development of affordable housing units shall take place at the same rate and timeframe as the development of market rate units.

1.      Building permits for any phase shall be issued at a ratio of 4 (four) market rate units to 1 (one) affordable unit.  Building permits for subsequent phases will not be issued unless all the required affordable units in the preceding phase are constructed. The last unit permitted and constructed shall be a market rate unit.

2.      The project may also be constructed in its entirety with all permits issued at once provided that the occupancy permits are issued at a ratio of 4 (four) market rate units to 1 (one) affordable unit.  The last occupancy permit to be issued shall be for a market rate unit.

6. Distribution

Distribution of affordability for rental or ownership units as Low Income Community Housing or Moderate Income Community Housing shall be set as determined by the ZBA in consultation with the Provincetown Community Housing Council.

7. Maximum Incomes and Selling Price; Affordable Housing Inventory

Maximum incomes and sales prices are set forth in Article 1 Definitions. It is intended that the affordable housing units created under this by-law be considered as Local Initiative Units or Local Action Units in compliance with DHCD requirements.

8. Preservation of Affordability; Use Restrictions:

(a) Affordable housing units created in accordance with this by-law shall use affordable housing restrictions that are recorded at the Barnstable County Registry of Deeds and that require the units to remain affordable in perpetuity. Such affordable housing restriction shall grant, among other things, the Town’s right of first refusal to purchase the property in the event that a subsequent qualified purchaser cannot be located.

(b) The ZBA shall require, as a condition for special permit under this bylaw, that the applicant comply with the mandatory set-asides and accompanying restrictions on affordability, including the execution of the affordable housing restriction noted in Section 10(a) above. The Building Commissioner shall not issue an occupancy permit for any affordable unit until the affordable housing restriction is recorded.

9. Segmentation

Developments may not be phased or segmented to avoid compliance with conditions or provisions of this by-law. 

10. Conflict with Other Bylaws

The provisions of this bylaw shall be considered supplemental of existing zoning bylaws/ordinances. To the extent that a conflict exists between this bylaw and others, the more restrictive bylaw, or provisions therein, shall apply.

11. Severability

If any provision of this bylaw is held invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remainder of the bylaw shall not be affected thereby. The invalidity of any section or sections or parts of any section or sections of this bylaw shall not affect the validity of the remainder of Provincetown’s zoning bylaw.

 

            Special Town Meeting Article 10.     Zoning By-law Amendment: Section 4800 Affordable Housing By-Law. To amend the Provincetown Zoning By-laws, as follows,

(1) Modify the following definitions to Article 1 Definitions by adding the following:

Accessory Dwelling Units  A dwelling unit, which is subordinate in use and area to that of the principal structure and is located on the same lot therewith and subject to the requirements of Article 4 Section 4800 of these By-laws.

(2) Strike line A7 of Section 2440 Permitted Principal Uses so that it reads as follows:

A7

Dwelling, Accessory Apartment

BA

BA

BA

BA

BA

 

 

 

(3) Add line G17 of Section 2450 Permitted Accessory Uses so that it reads as follows:

G17

Accessory Dwelling Unit 4

BA

BA

BA

BA

BA

 

 

4Subject to the requirements of Article 4 Section 4800of these By-laws.

 

(4) Modify Section 4800 Affordable Housing By-Law to read as follows:

Section 4800  Affordable Housing By-Law 

1.  Accessory Dwelling Units.  Accessory dwelling units may be allowed in any residential or commercial zoning district by special permit from the Zoning Board of Appeals, notwithstanding any provisions in the Zoning By-law that may restrict the total number of dwelling units per lot, subject to the requirements, standards and conditions listed below.

2. Requirements and Standards

A.    An accessory dwelling unit shall be subject to a housing restriction, for a term of at least twenty years, that limits rental rates and resale prices, and limits eligibility for occupancy and purchase.

Affordable Housing dwelling units shall be available for rental at a cost (including utility allowances) not exceeding 30% of annual income for a household at or below 65% of the Barnstable County median income; or available for ownership at a cost (including mortgage interest, principal, taxes, insurance and common charges if any, but excluding utilities) not exceeding 30% of annual income for a household at or below 65% of the Barnstable County median income. Eligibility for occupancy shall be limited to households whose income is at or below 80% of Barnstable County median income.

Median Income Community Housing dwelling units shall be available for rental at a cost (including utility allowances) not exceeding 30% of annual income for a household at or below 80% of the Barnstable County median income; or, available for ownership at a cost (including mortgage interest, principal, taxes, insurance and common charges if any, but excluding utilities) not exceeding 30% of annual income for a household at or below 80% of the Barnstable County median income. Eligibility for occupancy shall be limited to households whose income is at or below 100% of Barnstable County median income.”

Middle income community housing dwelling units shall be available for rental at a cost (including utility allowances) not exceeding 30% of annual income for a household at or below 120% of the Barnstable County median income; or, available for ownership at a cost (including mortgage interest, principal, taxes, insurance and common charges if any, but excluding utilities) not exceeding 30% of annual income for a household at or below 120% of the Barnstable County median income. Eligibility for occupancy shall be limited to households whose income is at or below 150% of Barnstable County median income.

B.     The accessory dwelling unit shall be located within the principal structure or an existing or new freestanding structure.

C.    The Inspector of Buildings and Health Agent shall have inspected an existing structure for compliance with public safety and public health codes.

D.    A special permit application shall include a certification of the amount of rent to be charged or the sale price, as applicable, for each accessory dwelling unit and the income of each occupant household. For rental accessory dwelling units, each year thereafter on the first of July, holders of special permits granted pursuant to this section shall submit to the Zoning Board of Appeals or its agent as designated in the special permit a certification of annual rents charged and the income of occupant household(s) for the most recently completed fiscal year of the holder and as of July first. Forms for this purpose shall be provided by the Town or its agent. Rents may be adjusted annually in accordance with Department of Housing and Community Development Local Initiative Program Regulations and Guidelines, or regulations and guidelines or a similar state program having the same purpose.

3.  Amnesty.  Owners of lots containing a dwelling unit (i) for which there does not exist a validly-issued variance, special permit, building permit or occupancy permit, (ii) that is/are not legally pre-existing, non-conforming use(s) or structure(s), or (iii) is/are not otherwise in compliance with the Zoning By-law may apply for a special permit under this section.

4. Procedure.

A.         The property owner shall complete and submit an application for a special permit to the Zoning Board of Appeals in accordance with the Provincetown Zoning Board of Appeals Rules and Procedures.

B.         The property owner shall obtain a compliance certification as provided by Section 5120 to allow the change in use.

C.         The property owner shall obtain a certificate of occupancy prior to occupancy of the accessory dwelling unit.

D.         The property owner shall deliver to the Provincetown Local Housing Partnership Community Housing Council an executed and acknowledged affordable housing restriction or, for ownership accessory dwelling unit an executed and acknowledged covenant whereby the property owner agrees to convey the accessory dwelling unit subject to a certain affordable housing restriction attached as an exhibit to the covenant, in either case approved as to form by town counsel, before a compliance certification pursuant to Section 5120 may issue for the accessory dwelling unit.  If the compliance certification is denied, the instrument shall be returned to the property owner; if the compliance certification is granted, the instrument shall be recorded by the Board of Selectmen.  No permanent occupancy permit shall be issued for any accessory dwelling unit without evidence of recordation of the housing restriction .

E.        Failure to comply with any provision of this Section 4800 may result in fines established in Section 5140 of the Provincetown Zoning By-laws.

5. Scope and Validity of the Bylaw.

Nothing in this Section 4800 shall nullify or exempt any property or use from any other provisions of these By-laws or other Town regulations. The invalidity of any provision of this Section 4800 shall not invalidate any other section or provision hereof, nor shall it invalidate any building permit, occupancy permit or special permit issued in reliance on said section or provision prior to the determination of its invalidity.

 

            Annual Town Meeting Article 16.     Zoning By-law Amendment: Section 2440 Permitted Principal Uses. To amend the Provincetown Zoning By-laws, as follows:

(1)   Modify line  B4f, B5 and B8 of Section 2440 Permitted Principal Uses to read as follows:

B.

Business

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

B1

Business or professional offices, banks

NO

NO

NO1

YES

YES

NO

NO

B2

Funeral Home

NO

NO

NO

YES

YES

NO

NO

B3

Hotel, motel or inn

NO5

NO5

YES3

YES2

YES2

NO

NO

B4

Retail sales or service

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

a. neighborhood

BA

BA

BA

YES

YES

NO

NO

 

b. art gallery

NO

NO

YES

YES

YES

NO

NO

 

c. motor vehicles sales, rental or services 4

NO

NO

NO

BA

YES

NO

NO

 

d. marine service, boat sales

NO

NO

NO

YES

YES

NO

NO

 

e. package store

NO

NO

NO

BA

BA

NO

NO

 

f. all other retail

NO

NO

BA18

YES17

YES17

NO

NO

B5

Restaurant, bar

NO

NO

BA18

BA6

BA6

NO

NO

B6

Rental storage

NO

NO

BA9

BA9

BA9

NO

NO

B7

Parking lots

NO

BA11

BA11

BA11

BA11

NO

NO

B8

Fast Order Food Establishments (excluding those with seating for less than ten and which occupy no more than a total of 500 square feet.)

 

NO

 

NO

 

BA18

 

BA12

 

 

YES13

 

NO

 

NO

B9

Adult Entertainment17