Salem Mayor Renews Push For In-Law Apartments

SALEM, MA — City Council will reopen debate Thursday on zoning rule changes that would lift restrictions on in-law apartments, which currently allow them to only be used for family members or caregivers of a Salem property owner.

Mayor Kim Driscoll, who says the changes would help address rising housing costs in Salem, resubmitted the modified legislation. Under the town's current zoning rules, in-law apartments can only be occupied by family members or caregivers, and the units have to be dismantled when that person moves out. In October, the proposal to lift those restrictions fell two votes short of the required super majority when city council voted 6-5 in favor of the changes.

In-law apartments "have a tremendous potential to increase the availability of affordable housing for Salem residents," Driscoll said in a letter to city council. "Not having an adequate supply of these types of rental opportunities places a burden on residents."

The biggest change in the new bill is a property tax exemption that would give property owners an incentive to offer affordable rents on the units. The new proposal would also create a low-interest loan program administered by the city for residents who want to create compliant accessory dwelling units.

In October, city council originally voted 8-3 in favor of the proposal. But two weeks later, during the final vote, Ward 7 Councilor Stephen Dibble and At-Large Councilor Domingo J. Dominguez joined At-Large Councilors Elaine Milo and Arthur Sargent and Ward 4 Councilor Tim Flynn in opposing the measure.

"Super disappointing," Driscoll said on Facebook shortly after the vote. "This is a key smart growth tool that would help play a part in addressing our housing challenges. We have to do more to address our affordability issues and this would have been a nice win for our city."

Milo lost her bid for re-election in November. There are four new members on city council who did not participate in last year's hearings on the measure: Ward 3 Councilor Patti Morsillo, Ward 6 Councilor Megan Riccardi and At-Large Councilors Ty Hapworth and Conrad J. Prosniewski.