We are writing to express our strong support for the zoning changes proposed by Greenfield City Councilors Tim Dolan and Otis Wheeler. Lack of affordable housing is a problem in our area and we need to take action to address it. Many cities and towns across the country are currently experiencing a housing crisis which could have been avoided with better planning and foresight.
We recently purchased our first home, in Greenfield. We have lived in Western Mass. for the past 15 years, and over time found ourselves with fewer and fewer options for affordable towns to live in, requiring us to move farther and farther away from our jobs. When we began to search for a house to buy, we quickly narrowed our focus to Greenfield and a small handful of other towns that were in our price range. We soon discovered that while many of the houses in Greenfield seemed affordable at first glance, most were actually out of our reach when necessary (and sometimes urgent) repairs were factored in. Ultimately, we were very lucky to find an income-eligible, reduced-price condo in Solar Village off of Petty Plain Road.
Affordable new construction like this in our area is hard to come by. The town should do what it can to make it easier to improve existing housing stock and build quality new units. This will encourage younger buyers and renters to move here, many of whom are relatively low income.
The proposals put before the council ask for modest and sensible changes. They will ultimately make it easier for current homeowners and developers to have more flexibility to improve their properties, and will increase access to quality affordable housing for buyers and renters alike. They would also make it easier for senior homeowners to “age in place” by allowing them to more easily subdivide large and difficult to maintain homes which could then also provide a supplemental income. The proposals would improve density and maintain economic diversity, both of which will help local businesses and are crucial to ensuring a thriving downtown with something for everyone.
We hope the council will vote to approve these changes at its March 18 meeting.
Michael Nord and Molly Merrett are residents of Greenfield.