PORTSMOUTH, NH - A local development company has proposed a 60-unit work force housing complex off Islington Street aimed at addressing the lack of housing available to people who work in the city. Increasing the available stock was one of the City Council's top goals, which prompted the creation of the Blue Ribbon Committee on Housing. In December, the committee issued a report that outlined the need and recommended a multilayered approach to solving the problem.
The proposal by Portsmouth based MertonAlan Investments would transform the undeveloped parcel at 30 Cate St., at the corner of Bartlett Street, into a five story rental unit building. The proposal includes 16 artist live/work space on the first floor and 44 one or two-bedroom units. "We know this is something the community absolutely needs," said architect Lisa DeStefano, owner of DeStefano Architects.
The parcel is zoned industrial, and planners would require a variance from the city's Zoning Board of Adjustments to change it to residential. A variance also will be needed to address setback requirements. Proponents are planning to go in front of the ZBA on Jan. 20.
The triangular lot, owned by Phil Singer until two years ago, has been left relatively untouched. All that's stood there over that time span has been a Piscataqua Savings Bank billboard and various political advertisements. DeStefano said current zoning laws made the parcel impossible to develop.
Past affordable or work force housing projects have been met with resistance from some residents. DeStefano said she hopes the city, including its land use boards, will understand the need and get behind the project.
Individuals or families who make between 80 and 120 percent of the median area income are considered eligible for work force housing. For a family of four, that is between $62,00 and $93,000. For an individual, it would range from $43,000 to $65,000.
The housing committee report indicated the stock of affordable housing is reasonable, but there is a dearth of work force housing. The model used in the report for the 2006-15 period said the city needs 586 more units to meet the community's need.
City Councilor Chris Dwyer, who led the housing committee, said the proposal is exciting because it is a private developer's initiative that will hopefully lead to interest from others. Dwyer said the size, location and inclusion of long-desired artist residential/work space are all positives as well. "I think a lot of people are going to be excited about it," said Dwyer. "I think it will be interesting to follow its progress and see the comments citizens might have about it."
Doug Bates, president of the Greater Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce, said work force housing has long been identified by the chamber as a need, calling the project a "no-brainer."
"It's ground breaking really," said Bates. "We keep talking about this; the conversation is not a new one. It's gotten louder in the past few years, but its not new. This is an excellent opportunity."
The building is planned to be environmentally sustainable, DeStefano said, but because of the need to avoid additional costs, it will not be LEED certified. One of the appealing parts of the project, she said, is construction costs are so low.
DeStefano said plans were already under way for the project when the housing report was issued, and it only strengthened the belief that the project was worthwhile and needed. "It was the perfect storm for us," said DeStefano. "We were thrilled because what it identified as solutions was what we were proposing."
Source: SeaCoastOnline.com