Planning Board OKs zoning hearing continuance, reviews housing plan
Planning Board · Meeting of August 20, 2026
Gloucester Planning Board reviews draft Housing Compass ahead of a joint council vote. Community Development Planning Director Alex Koppelman walked the board through the draft Housing Production Plan's 12 recommendations, citing a $715,000 median single-family home price and a gap between homeowner median income, $120,000, and renter median income, about $46,000. Priority items include raising down-payment assistance above $15,000, a tenant rights notification ordinance, and a Chapter 40R smart growth overlay for Railroad Avenue that could bring the city $75,000 on adoption plus $3,000 per unit.
Vice Chair Jane Ramson pushed for clearer "Smart Growth Overlay District (40R)" labeling, prompting Koppelman to admit, "Even I got confused." The board separately voted 7-0 to continue a zoning definition hearing to November 19 and 7-0 to approve its August 6 minutes as amended. A joint City Council and Planning Board vote to adopt the plan is expected in September.
In the full story:
- Who Was There
- Organizations And Documents Referenced
- The complete report — 3,040 words
Source: the Planning Board meeting of August 20, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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