Staff Report
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TOWN OF SMITHFIELD, RHODE ISLAND PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Smithfield Town Council will hold a virtual Public Hearing on Tuesday, April 20, 2021 at 6:00 PM. The purpose of the Public Hearing is to consider and obtain public input on a proposed amendment to the Housing chapter of the Comprehensive Community Plan. This amendment is proposed in accordance with the provisions of Section 45-22.2-8 of the General Laws of Rhode Island. VIRTUAL MEETING* Please join the meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone. https://www.gotomeet.me/RandyRossi/smithfield-towncouncil You can also dial in using your phone. United States (Toll Free): 1 877 568 4106 United States: +1 (646) 749-3129 Access Code: 342-830-965 For technical support dial: 401-233-1010 *Provided, however, that the meeting is allowed to be held virtually. If virtual meetings are prohibited on this date, then the Town Council may convene the meeting at the Smithfield Town Hall, 2nd Floor, Crepeau Hall, 64 Farnum Pike, Smithfield, RI, pursuant to compliance with the latest Executive Order dealing with public meetings. Comprehensive Plan Amendment Summary: The proposed amendment involves a complete rewrite of the Housing section including the Introduction; Data and Trends Snapshot; Types of Housing Development; Housing Costs; Housing Trends; Special Needs; Housing Problems and Needs; Zoning for Residential Uses; Smithfield’s Housing Agencies and Programs; Rehabilitation of Existing Building Stock for Residential Purposes; Low-Moderate Income Housing Data and Trends; Low and Moderate Income Housing Strategies, including the removal of Table H-25 which lists selected properties for LMI housing development; Implementing the Strategies; Goals, Policies; and, Actions; and, Implementation. At said Hearing opportunity will be given to all interested persons to be heard upon the proposed amendments. The proposed amendment may be altered or amended prior to the close of the Public Hearing, without further advertising, as a result of further study or because of the views expressed at the Public Hearing. Any alteration or amendment must be presented for comment in the course of the Hearing. Availability of Information A complete copy of the proposed amendments are available on the Town Planner’s page of the Town’s website at www.smithfieldri.com. If communication assistance (readers/interpreters/captions) or any other accommodation to ensure equal participation is needed, please contact the Smithfield Town Manager’s office at 401-233-1010 at least forty-eight (48) hours prior to the meeting. Please call (401) 233-1010 with any Technical difficulties during the meeting. BY ORDER OF THE TOWN COUNCIL. Suzanna L. Alba, President The Town Council will conduct a public hearing on April 20, 2021 to obtain input on proposed amendments to the Housing Chapter of the Comprehensive Plan. DRAFT HOUSING CHAPTER SMITHFIELD COMPREHENSIVE COMMUNITY PLAN Jeff Davis,Horsley Witten: Planning Consultant Introduction .............................................................................................................................................. 2 Data and Trends Snapshot ........................................................................................................................ 3 Types of Housing Development ................................................................................................................ 4 Village Center ....................................................................................................................................... 4 Suburban .............................................................................................................................................. 4 Rural ..................................................................................................................................................... 4 Housing Costs ........................................................................................................................................... 4 Housing Trends ......................................................................................................................................... 5 Housing Construction ........................................................................................................................... 5 Occupancy ............................................................................................................................................ 7 Age and Condition of Housing Units .................................................................................................... 7 Special Needs ............................................................................................................................................ 8 At Risk Populations ............................................................................................................................... 8 Special Needs Housing ......................................................................................................................... 8 Homelessness ....................................................................................................................................... 9 Housing Problems and Needs ................................................................................................................... 9 Cost Burden .......................................................................................................................................... 9 Local Needs ........................................................................................................................................ 10 Zoning for Residential Uses .................................................................................................................... 11 Smithfield’s Housing Agencies and Programs ........................................................................................ 11 Affordable Housing Agencies ............................................................................................................. 12 Local Tax Exemptions ......................................................................................................................... 12 Smithfield Housing Rehabilitation Program ....................................................................................... 13 Rehabilitation of Existing Building Stock for Residential Purposes ........................................................ 13 Conversion of Commercial and Manufacturing Buildings .................................................................. 14 Rehabilitation of Other Buildings ....................................................................................................... 15 Low-Moderate Income Housing Data and Trends .................................................................................. 15 Current LMI Count .............................................................................................................................. 15 Expected LMI Count ........................................................................................................................... 16 Low and Moderate Income Housing Strategies ..................................................................................... 18 Implementing the Strategies .................................................................................................................. 24 Goals, Policies, and Actions .................................................................................................................... 26 1 Introduction The Town of Smithfield recognizes that maintaining and constructing safe, high-quality homes is important for the quality of life of our residents and the health of our local economy. The whole town benefits when people have access to a variety of housing types and prices that meet their needs at various stages of life. Smithfield also recognizes that it has ongoing infrastructure capacity and environmental issues that should continue to guide how many new homes are built in a given year and where in town they can best be accommodated. Smithfield has been working for the past 15 years and more to balance the need for homes with the capacity to support them where they make the most sense. The overarching goal is to develop housing policies that meet the needs of our residents and employers, support and revitalize our existing village centers, make efficient use of and leverage reinvestment in our existing infrastructure, and protect our remaining natural resources today and into the future. This Housing Chapter lays out local policies and implementation actions to provide a range of housing choices, recognizing the local, regional, and statewide housing needs of people at a range of income levels and all stages of life. One of the major objectives of the Housing Chapter is to reassess the longstanding recommendations carried forward from the Town’s 2005 Affordable Housing Strategy. This strategy was designed to facilitate the development and maintenance of at least 10 percent of the Town’s housing stock as subsidized affordable housing as defined by the Rhode Island Low and Moderate Housing Income Act. Further, this Housing Chapter recognizes that market rate housing development and renovation of the existing housing stock are just as important for meeting the long-term housing needs of the community. The State’s definition of “low or moderate income housing” includes: ‘any housing whether