A developer with plans for 12 new homes off Salem Street in the Bradford section is asking the Haverhill City Council for relief from an affordable housing requirement.
A petition from attorney William J. Barron, representing Commanche Circle LLC managers Stephen M. Smolak and John W. Davidowicz, requests the council “grant relief from the provisions of the zoning approvals requiring that there be an affordable unit as part of the development” at 77 Salem Street, the site of the former Dimitri’s Restaurant, and previously, the former headquarters of the Bradford Country Club.
The petition has the support of the city’s Community Development Department. According to a letter of support from Andrew K. Herlihy, division director, inclusionary zoning housing policies which require one unit with an affordability restriction “places an onerous burden that jeopardizes the financing of this project.” Herlihy also said the policies are being revamped by the city, and “the potential loss of one housing unit will not noticeably impact” the goal of having more than 2,550 affordable units citywide, or 10 percent of the city’s housing stock, as required under the state’s chapter 40-B affordable housing law.
The Haverhill City Council meets at 7 p.m., Tuesday, in council chambers at Haverhill City Hall.