The Riverhead Town Board is considering the adoption of a local law to integrate the Long Island Workforce Housing Act into the town’s zoning code, which would aid in the construction of affordable housing throughout the town.
The public hearing for the amendment to the town code, which adds the text to Chapter 301 “Zoning and Land Development,” is scheduled for the Town Board’s meeting on Tuesday at 2 p.m. Read the full text of the code here.
The state law, enacted in 2008, allows local governments to afford development plans a 10% density bonus over the otherwise maximum allowable residential density, in exchange for dedicating that extra density to workforce housing or making payment into a town fund equal to the value of the lot for “advancing the construction of, acquisition of land or the rehabilitation of affordable housing within” the town.
Affordable workforce housing, as defined in the law, is for families or individuals at or below 130% of the adjusted median household income of the Nassau-Suffolk primary metropolitan statistical area according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The 2022 median family income for the area is $146,400, making the cap for families purchasing workforce housing $190,320, according to HUD’s website.
The code would apply to residential subdivisions with five or more residential lots and mixed-use development site plan applications. Applicants with incomes under 80% of the median household income ($96,300) would be eligible to purchase lower priced affordable units, while those between 81%-130% of the median household income would be eligible to purchase the higher priced units.
Renters and prospective tenants under the program would need to have a “very low” income, or a median household income at or under 50%. Under the current 2022 adjusted median income, a one bedroom or studio unit would require an income at or under that of a family of two ($58,150), a two bedroom unit would require an income at or under that of a family of four ($72,650), and a three bedroom unit would require an income at or under that of a family of six ($84,300).
“What it was really intended by the legislature was in each of our municipalities, providing housing for the essential workers in the community such as firemen, nurses, medical personnel,” Deputy Town Attorney Anne Marie Prudenti said during a Town Board work session on April 28. “A lot of times we use the generic term affordable; this really isn’t as ‘affordable,’ it’s workforce.”
Several towns across the island have adopted codes integrating the state law since it was enacted 14 years ago, but Riverhead has not.
Whether the Planning Board chooses to use the density bonus or require the fee in lieu of density bonus would be determined using the recommendation of the Building and Planning Administrator.
“It’s just another tool in the toolbox, you know, ways to get affordable opportunities, particularly equity, ownership opportunities, which I do think we’re short on,” Community Development Director Dawn Thomas said. “And if we can encourage developers to create a couple of affordable lots, and put some homes in there that, you know, just makes it a little bit better.”
The cost of an affordable unit would range from roughly $202,230 to $240,750, calculating using the 2022 median income. Applicants must also have adequate resources and credit to qualify for a mortgage, the code states.
Planner Greg Bergman said the planning department is reviewing two residential subdivisions that would in total end up creating four single-family residential units under the code.
If a unit is be resold, it would remain affordable, the proposed law states. The CDA would monitor the sale and resale of all affordable units. Residents of Riverhead, workers in Riverhead, or people with close relatives in Riverhead, would have priority to purchase the housing, which would be decided by lottery.
The code would apply to developments in any zoning district except the Residence A-40 zoning district, which already has a workforce housing component that doubles density in exchange for providing additional workforce housing.
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