Housing Production Plan Update Working Group

Town Manager Austin Cyganiewicz, Community Development Director Jennifer Hager
and several members of the Housing Production Plan Update Working Group
provide more information related to Article 12: MBTA Communities Multifamily Overlay District and bylaw on the Fall Town Meeting Warrant.
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Housing Production Plan - July 8, 2025
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Who?
The Planning Board appointed a working group of residents (see list below) to update Sutton’s existing Housing Production Plan (HPP). Sutton needs this plan in place in order to meet the towns affordable housing responsibilities under Chapter 40B. The Board sought a representative from the Planning Board, Select Board and Finance Committee, as well as several Sutton citizens at large. Working group members ideally will represent different geographic regions of Sutton, and a variety of age ranges. Knowledge in the fields of housing, finance, land use law, communications, and firsthand or close experience with housing issues would also be beneficial but is not required. The working group will be assisted by Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission in at least the demographic and housing data gathering portion of this update.

What?
A Housing Production Plan (HPP) (760 CMR 56.03 (4) is a proactive strategy for planning and developing affordable housing. The process develops a plan used to meet a communities affordable housing needs in a manner consistent with Chapter 40B statute and implementation regulations. The HPP process also provides an opportunity to address the housing conditions more comprehensively in a community. For example, plans often go beyond 40B concerns and explore development of more diverse housing types, the production of more market rate affordability, and even initiatives to assist residents to remain in their homes. Sutton's current HPP expired in December of 2024. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive housing needs study for the Town of Sutton that will retain its rural character while addressing and meeting our affordable housing needs and state mandates. 

Where?
The Housing Production Plan Update Working Group usually meets at 7pm, twice a month at the Sutton Town Hall, 4 Uxbridge Road, Sutton, MA. The meetings are posted 48 Hours in advance. The next meeting is Thursday, May 22, 2025 at 7pm

Why?
By taking a proactive approach in the adoption of a HPP, towns are more likely to achieve both their affordable housing and community planning goals, both addressing housing needs within the community while protecting community identity. HPPs give communities that are under the 10% threshold of Chapter 40B, but are making progress in producing affordable housing, more control over comprehensive permit applications for specified periods of time through safe harbor provisions. Additionally, many studies show that ensuring both HUD (Department of Housing and Urban Development) and market rate affordable housing, including housing for local employees, and housing suitable for the full spectrum of an individual’s life, is not only beneficial to individuals, but is also beneficial to the community in which they live.

When?
The Housing Production Plan Update Working Group is currently meeting approximately twice a month and hope to complete the Plan by the end of May. There will be public information sessions scheduled as follows:

• Thursday, May 29, 2025 at 7pm
  Sutton Town Hall - Wally Johnson Room
  4 Uxbridge Road
• Tuesday, June 3, 2025 at 9am
  Sutton Senior Center
  19 Hough Road
• Monday, June 9, 2025 at 7pm
  Blaxton Hall at Manchaug Mill
  9 Main Street