Affordably Housing Ordinance (AHO) Guidelines
*There are no design guidelines for AHO based on height unless in an overlay district where it mirrors Harvard Square and adds bulk control planes at 65' and if another layer is in historic conservation district and then another layer is over 59k SF in some areas and 20k in other areas ... but all projects over 25k SF are subject to article 19.50.
**Current rules for AHO heights: "Allowable residential height" means that one does not have to get a special permit, even if there are conditions one must meet. Additionally: 1) In districts where the allowable residential height is no more than 40', AHO projects can have four stories and 45' in height. 2) In districts where the allowable residential height is more than 40' but no more than 65', AHO projects can have nine stories and 100' in height; 3) A project on an AHO Corridor Lot can have twelve stories and 140' in height; 4) In districts where the allowable residential height is more than 65', AHO projects can have thirteen stories and 150' in height; A project in an AHO Square District can have fifteen stories and 170' in height; 6) There are situations where projects can go even higher.
What Affordable Housing Residents Want to See in their Homes
This is summarized in the Cambridge Housing Authority slide show for the 1/9/25 resident meeting: Corcoran Park Modernization Project: HERE
This is summarized in the Cambridge Housing Authority slide show for the 1/9/25 resident meeting: Corcoran Park Modernization Project: HERE
- Residents prefer low-rise, townhouse configuration with individual entrances
- Residents dislike 6 stories, prefer 3 stories
- Residents prefer high ration of parking to units, approaching 1:1 (In this case, design will be .81. parking spaces to units)
- Residents prefer private open space (patios) to parkland
- Residents prioritize parking over trees