Monthly Housing Update: Progress in Salem's Smart Growth and Infrastructure Plans

In November, Salem focused on advancing housing development initiatives with a significant emphasis on the 40R South SSU Campus Smart Growth Overlay District proposal. These developments aim to address affordable housing shortages and enhance urban planning within the community.

• 40R South SSU Campus Smart Growth Overlay District Proposal:
  • During a public hearing, town residents discussed plans to redevelop the South Campus area into a mixed-use development with approximately 475 residential units, emphasizing affordable and sustainable living (source: Town Members Sound Off on Proposed Smart Growth Overlay District).
  • Development plans from Avalon Bay and Win Development include integrating preserved structures with new buildings, prioritizing open green spaces (source: Town Members Sound Off on Proposed Smart Growth Overlay District).
• Resident Concerns and Infrastructure:
  • Participants voiced worries about the implications of increased housing density on local infrastructure, particularly concerning water supply and traffic logistics (source: Town Members Sound Off on Proposed Smart Growth Overlay District).
  • Suggestions were made for detailed traffic and infrastructure capability studies to address these concerns before project advancement (source: Town Members Sound Off on Proposed Smart Growth Overlay District).
• Financial and Legislative Considerations:
  • Financial incentives for housing development under the 40R zoning were discussed; however, there were queries about whether expected tax revenues would sufficiently meet future infrastructure demands (source: Town Members Sound Off on Proposed Smart Growth Overlay District).
  • Ongoing discussions highlight that developers will assume most infrastructure improvement costs, ensuring limited fiscal impact on the town's finances (source: Town Members Sound Off on Proposed Smart Growth Overlay District).
• Next Steps in Proposal Review:
  • The Planning and Community Development Department continues to seek public input until early December to refine the proposal based on feedback before progressing with the process (source: Town Members Sound Off on Proposed Smart Growth Overlay District).

This is an AI generated article. There may be inaccuracies.