Where we are currently with S3A compliance:

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A citizen petition, per the City's Charter, forced the City Council to have to reconsider its October vote on the Multi-family Overlay District (MFOD). The overlay plan, unanimously approved (2 recuse) after extensive public meetings and hearings over the past year, was designed to address citizen concerns for a modest approach while adhering to the 3A state law’s guidelines for compliance.

 

Now, on Thursday, April 24th, residents of Gloucester will vote on this crucial zoning plan designed to expand housing options for residents, make key capital improvements that benefit the entire community, and to comply with the state's 3A zoning law.

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​​Potential Referendum Election Outcomes:

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1. Voter Approval of the MFOD plan:  A prevailing "YES" vote to approve the MFOD plan means Gloucester will comply with state law, maintain our eligibility for grants and financing for the Housing Authority and other programs, and potentially, over time, add critically needed multi-family housing units in the proposed districts. 

2. Voter Rejection of the MFOD plan:  A prevailing "NO" vote will reject the MFOD plan, and force the Planning Board to start over and draft a new plan for Council consideration.  Gloucester's non-compliance status may persist if we remain non complainant beyond July 14, 2025. 

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READ MORE:  Reference Sheet on what the MFOD plan does and what it does not do.

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What Gloucester Taxpayers Stand to Lose with a NO Vote:

 

• Immediate grant losses if we are not in compliance by July, 2025:

  • $1,000,000 - Supplemental payment for Sawyer Free Library

  • $217,000 - Sawyer Free Library LEED certification.

  • $131,000 - $530,000 = 16.7% of the Gloucester Housing Authority operating funds for housing and services for our most vulnerable neighbors.

  • $13,000000 - extra interest on wastewater treatment plant upgrade loan if we lost preferential interest rate of the live of the loan.

• Future grant risk:

  • In 2024, Gloucester recieved $8.7M in state grants Non compliance could jeopardize similar future funding.

  • Favorable interest rate terms on wastewater treatment plant loan = over $13M over the life of the loan.

• Gloucester would still be required to follow State law:

  • The planning board must create a new plan regardless of the vote outcome.

• The State can impost its own zoning plan:

  • A "no" vote means Gloucester loses the ability to control its own zoning if we fail to approve a zoning plan, and the state will write Gloucester's zoning ordinance for us.

 

A Call to Action:

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In the coming months, Housing4All Gloucester is working closely with the Yes for Gloucester campaign to move our community forward, and to get out the message to  “Vote YES” on Thursday, April 24. 

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We encourage Gloucester voters to learn the facts, become involved, to VOTE YES on April 24, and to encourage friends and neighbors to do the same!

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The Gloucester Plan

The State Law​​​​​​​​​​​​

Voter Information

Pledge your YES Vote, Volunteer, & Donate to the Campaign 

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