Local Businesses Oppose Rezoning Plan
A proposal to rezone a downtown block for a mixed-use development that includes 50 affordable housing units is facing opposition from local business owners. Concerns cited include potential increases in traffic and parking shortages, with a city council vote on the matter scheduled for next week.
- Proponents of mixed-use developments argue they create built-in foot traffic for ground-floor retail and restaurants, potentially boosting sales for local businesses. A study by Transport for London found that pedestrians can spend up to 60% more at local shops per month than those who arrive by car. - Regarding traffic concerns, studies of mixed-use developments (MXDs) show they capture a large share of trips internally, as residents can walk to on-site amenities. Some research indicates that housing in such developments can generate up to 44% fewer external vehicle trips than conventional residential projects. - The rezoning process typically takes four to six months and involves public hearings before both a Planning Board and the City Council, which makes the final binding vote. Before the vote, city staff from various departments, including transportation and utilities, review the proposal and provide comments. - Numerous studies have concluded that the introduction of affordable housing has little to no negative effect on neighboring property values. Research from the Urban Institute analyzing data over a 20-year period found no significant negative impact, and in some cases, property values within a block of new affordable housing increased by an average of 0.9%. - Successful examples of similar mixed-use, affordable housing projects include the Sibley Square in Rochester, NY, which converted a former department store into nearly 200 affordable units alongside shops, restaurants, and offices. In the Bronx, the La Central development transformed vacant city land into a complex with 496 affordable apartments. - By integrating residents with a range of incomes, these projects can foster a more diverse community and provide a stable workforce for local businesses. Residents with lower housing costs have more disposable income to spend at local shops and services, further stimulating the local economy. - The inclusion of affordable housing units can make a development project eligible for various public subsidies and tax credits, such as the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC), which can help finance the overall construction. - Mixed-use projects are often seen as a tool for downtown revitalization, transforming underutilized or blighted areas into vibrant, walkable neighborhoods that are active outside of typical 9-to-5 business hours.
