Item Coversheet


Town of Arlington, Massachusetts


ARTICLE 29
Warrant Article Title:
ZONING BYLAW AMENDMENT/APARTMENT CONVERSION
Warrant Article Text:
To see if the Town will vote to amend the Zoning Bylaw to include a definition of apartment conversion by amending SECTION 2 DEFINITIONS; or take any action related thereto.
Requested by:
(Inserted at the request of the Redevelopment Board) 
Report Excerpt:

Apartment conversion is a use listed in the Table of Uses, but has no definition associated with it, although there are standards listed in the Table of Uses: “Conversion to apartments, up to 18 units per acre, with no alteration to the exterior of the building.” Apartment conversion is allowed with a Special Permit in the R4 and R5 districts and the B1 district. The Table of Dimensional and Density Regulations also provides specific regulations.

 

Apartment conversions are referenced in the description of the R4 Townhouse District. Section 5.4.1.B(1) notes that “the predominant uses in the R4 district are one- and two-family dwellings in large, older houses. Conversions of these old homes to apartments or offices are allowed to encourage their preservation.” The description of the B1 Neighborhood Office District also references the predominant uses as one- and two-family dwellings.

 

The ARB believes that defining “apartment conversion” brings clarity to the term that is used in various locations in the Zoning Bylaw. It does not alter the substance of the Bylaw.

Vote Language:

The Redevelopment Board voted (5-0) to recommend Action on Article 29. That the Zoning Bylaw be and hereby is amended as follows:

 

Amend SECTION 2:____________________________________________

 

Apartment Conversion: The conversion of an existing structure originally designed for one-family or two-family use to an apartment building with no addition to or expansion of the exterior of the structure.