Multi-Family Dwellings In Malden: Zoning Change Discussed Next Wk

The Malden Planning Board and Malden City Council Ordinance Committee will meet next week to discuss eight different zoning changes. A joint public hearing will be held in the Senior Community Center's first-floor auditorium on Wednesday, Dec. 13, at 7 p.m.

A public hearing allows the public to comment if they are 'for' or 'against' any proposal. It is one of the few times the Malden public can speak on city matters in an official setting. The Planning Board will make recommendations to the City Council for future acceptance or rejection.
You can see the event and full agenda here.

Part 2 of 8 agenda item is:
II.

Section 300.1.1: Use Regulations for Multifamily Dwellings
Section 300.3.2.7: Use Regulations for Multifamily Dwellings, 6 to 12 stories
Section 300.3 .2.8: Use Regulations for Multifamily Dwellings, more than 12 stories

(CCP 471-12017)

OVERVIEW:
Currently, any multi-family dwelling unit over 6 stories, that is proposed to be built in the Malden Square area, would require a Special Permit. The City Council is proposing 6 story or taller multi-family dwelling unit buildings no longer be allowed at all in the Malden Square area.

(THE NEXT PARAGRAPH WAS INCLUDED IN THE CITY COUNCIL PAPER, BUT NOT PLANNING BOARD AGENDA, SO MAY NOT BE ON THE AGENDA. TBD)

Currently multi-family dwelling units up to 3 stories are not allowed in zone Residence A, which is a majority of Malden's neighborhoods, typically single and two family home neighborhoods. The City Council is proposing to allow multi-family dwelling units up to 3 stories in neighborhoods that currently only allow single family homes by right, to be built.

VIDEO:

See the ordinance being first introduced and some discussion by the City Council (12 minutes):
17-Nov-21 City Council meeting video for CCP 471,472,467,468,469,470-2017 dwelling multi-family - introduction

Question: Will you speak 'for' or 'against' allowing multi-family dwelling units 3 stories or below via special permit in our neighborhoods?

If you are unable to attend the meeting, and wish your thoughts to be heard, an email to the City Planner, mromero@cityofmalden.org can be provided up to the same day, and will be read into the record.

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND:

Link for the legislative text of CCP 461-2017

Section 300.1.1: Use Regulations for Multifamily Dwellings

• Link for existing ordinance 300.1.1
• Link for the attachment ordinance change

Section 300.3.2.7: Use Regulations for Multifamily Dwellings, 6 to 12 stories

Section 300.3 .2.8: Use Regulations for Multifamily Dwellings, more than 12 stories

• Link for attachment ordinance table change

TECHNICAL EXPLANATION:

The existing 300.3 Use Regulations table

when marked up to show the changes being proposed looks like:

(THE RESIDENCE A DESCRIPTION BELOW AND CHART ABOVE WERE INCLUDED IN THE CITY COUNCIL PAPER, BUT NOT PLANNING BOARD AGENDA, SO MAY NOT BE ON THE AGENDA. TBD)

The change being proposed for zone Residence A, is to allow Multi-family dwelling units up to 3 stories, to be allowed by special permit.

What is Residence A zoning?

Zoning designations 'districts' can be found in the City Ordinances 200.1
And the Zoning Map 200.2 gives access to the Zoning Map

Zone Residence A is the majority of Malden. The neighborhoods, where single family homes are allowed by right, but two family are not. They will now allow 3 story multi family dwelling units by special permit.

See below Zoning Map of Malden. Residence A is depicted as 'white', which is a majority of the City.

Why would you speak 'for' allowing multi-family dwelling units less than 3 stories in residence A?

Why would you speak 'against' allowing multi-family dwelling units less than 3 stories in residence A?