Background-surplus land for affordable housingCity of Northampton
MASSACHUSETTS
_________
In City Council, July 15, 2021
Upon the recommendation of Mayor David J. Narkewicz and Planning & Sustainability
21.__ An Order to Surplus City Land for Affordable and Attainable Housing at Chapel Street, Oak
Street, and Evergreen Road
WHEREAS, Consistent with the city’s Sustainable Northampton Comprehensive Plan, Open
Space, Recreation, and Multi-Use Trail Plan, Housing Needs Assessment and
Strategic Housing Plan, and Unlocking Opportunity: An Assessment of Barriers to Fair Housing, the city has a comprehensive limited development, funding and regulatory program to create and fund affordable and attainable housing, including surplusing unneeded city-owned land;
WHEREAS, In the last year, for example, city efforts include 1) transferring land from a limited development project on Burts Pit Road for nine affordable units, 2) authority to transfer land at the former state hospital on Burts Pit Road for two or three affordable units, 3) authority to transfer land on Laurel Street for multiple rental affordable
units, and 4) authority to transfer land at Woodland Drive from a back tax transaction for an affordable unit; WHEREAS, An inventory of potential city land includes the opportunity to create affordable units (available to those earning at or less than 80% of area median income) and attainable
units (the “missing middle” to those who can’t afford market rate units but are not eligible for affordable housing) at three sites:
o Chapel Street (Map ID 38A-149) for a 99-year lease o Oak Street (Map ID 17C-001) for sale, with a portion of the property being retained by the city for future conservation or recreation uses
o Evergreen Road (Assessors Map UID 11A-002) for sale WHEREAS, As with the other recent projects, once City Council approval is received the city will do due diligence and further neighborhood engagement to determine the final parameters and conditions, with authority needed to allow the expenditure of those
resources, apply for any needed grants or funding, and ensure legislative affordable housing support for these projects.
Ordered, that
The City Council declares these parcels surplus to City needs;
Further that the Mayor is authorized to transfer deeds and/or leases for the land subject to restrictions and conditions that the Mayor imposes to accomplish these needs.
Current and Recent City Affordable Housing on Surplus City Land
Project Acres Source of Land Ward Type of Housing
Burts Pit Road 3.0 +/- Limited development (conservation and housing) 6 9 units affordable homeownership
Burts Pit Road 1.72 Surplus from state to city for affordable housing 4 2 or 3 units affordable homeownership
Laurel Street 1.67 Surplus from state to city for affordable housing 2 To be determined for affordable rental
Woodland Dr 0.74 Parcel to the city in lieu of tax title foreclosure 6 1 unit affordable (plus one market unit on 1 acre)
Chapel St (38A-149) 1.12 Surplus from state to city for municipal uses 2 To be determined for affordable rental
Oak St (17C-001) 1.3 +/- Surplus city land (portion of 5.31 acre parcel) 7 To be determined affordable and attainable housing
Evergreen Rd (11A-002) 0.18 Surplus city land 7 2 units affordable and attainable housing
11A-002
17C-001
38A-149
E10123Miles
E
38A-149-001
17C-001-001
11A-002-001
0 500 1,000250 Feet