[Added 6-16-2025]
A. 
The Local Initiative Program (LIP) is a state program that encourages the creation of affordable housing by providing technical assistance to communities and developers who are working together to create affordable rental opportunities. Unlike conventional housing subsidy programs, in which a state or federal agency must approve every aspect of financing, design and construction, LIP allows most of these decisions to be made by the municipality. LIP regulations and guidelines address those program components that must be reviewed and approved by EOHLC. For example, incomes of households served, fair marketing, profit limitation and establishing long-term affordability for the units which are built.
B. 
The Local Initiative Program (LIP) is administered by the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) to encourage communities to produce affordable housing for low- and moderate-income households. The program provides technical and other non-financial assistance to cities or towns seeking to increase the supply of housing for households at or below 80% of the area median income. LIP-approved units are entered into the subsidized housing inventory (SHI) pursuant to Chapter 40B. Local action units (LAUs) are create through local municipal action other than comprehensive permits; for example, through special permits, inclusionary zoning, conveyance of public land, utilization of Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds, etc. The Department shall certify units submitted as local action units if they meet the requirements of 760 CMR 56.00 and the Local Initiative Program Guidelines, which are part of the Comprehensive Permit Guidelines and can be found on the EOHLC website at www.mass.gov/eohlc.
A. 
A project may be recommended to Select Board for consideration as a Local Initiative Program (LIP) project under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 40B ("Chapter 40B"), Sections 20 through 23, 760 CMR 56.00 and DHCD Local Initiative Program (LIP) by the Harvard Housing Partnership, the Harvard Housing Authority, the Trustees of the Municipal Affordable Housing Trust Fund, or another local entity engaged in providing or improving affordable housing in Harvard. The Planning Board may also recommend a project for consideration as a LIP.
B. 
Upon receipt of recommendation for consideration as LIP, the Planning Board shall request that the Developer provide qualifications and past projects, particularly those built under Chapter 40B and/or as a LIP; any past or current litigation involving 40B or LIP projects; and a list of references that includes contact name, address and telephone number. All qualifications, past projects, references and results of reference checks shall be documented and made available as a matter of public record.
A. 
A developer seeking consideration of a project as a LIP shall submit to the Planning Board eight copies of the following information for distribution to other Town boards and interested parties:
(1) 
The name and address of the developer;
(2) 
The address of the proposed site and site description (to include wetlands, waterways, easements and land holding any conservation, recreation or other restrictions). It should also include a description of any existing buildings and their uses;
(3) 
A locus map identifying the site within a plan of the neighborhood, accompanied by photographs of the surrounding buildings and features that provide an understanding of the physical context of the site to include wetland boundaries;
(4) 
A tabulation of proposed buildings with the number, size (number of bedrooms, floor area), and type (ownership or rental) of housing units proposed;
(5) 
Conceptual design drawings of the site plan and exterior elevations of the proposed buildings, along with a summary showing the percentage of the land to be occupied buildings, parking and other paved areas, and by open areas. Also included in the summary shall be the number of parking spaces, and the ratio of parking spaces to housing units;
(6) 
A narrative description of the approach to building massing, the relationships to adjacent properties, and the proposed exterior building materials;
(7) 
A tabular analysis comparing existing zoning requirements to the waivers requested for the project;
(8) 
Preliminary soil testing results and locations, as well as estimated or determined wetlands locations to support the viability of the proposed development;
(9) 
Traffic impact/study statements.
B. 
The project should offer clear benefits to the community above a conventional Chapter 40B development. In order to be considered as a LIP project, certain benefits are necessary while others are beneficial but not all required.
C. 
Required benefits shall include:
(1) 
Innovative site design.
(2) 
A percentage of affordable units in excess of the mandatory 25%.
(3) 
Building density that does not maximize development of the site.
D. 
Other benefits include but are not limited to:
(1) 
A location which is in harmony with the needs of the community.
(2) 
Architecture which blends in with and complements the immediate neighborhood.
(3) 
Provision for enhancements to site and surrounding neighborhood (landscaping, drainage, etc.).
(4) 
Ability to meet other Town housing needs (such as senior housing, workforce housing, rental housing).
(5) 
Energy efficient design and construction.
(6) 
A financial contribution from the sale of market rate units to the Harvard Municipal Affordable Housing Trust Fund, or other organization identified by the Select Board.
E. 
All benefits shall be clearly identified before a preliminary agreement is entered into between the Town of Harvard and the developer and made available as a matter of public record.
A. 
The Planning Board will hold a duly posted public hearing within 30 days after receipt of all the information indicated in § 133-68 above for the developer to present the proposed project and for the public, other Town boards and other Town entities to comment and/or raise concerns. All information and documents, as described §§ 133-67 through 133-68, shall be made available at that public hearing. The Planning Board shall allow a minimum of 30 days following the close of the public hearing for all interested parties to submit written comments, which shall be accepted and made part of the public record. The developer shall provide an electronic version of the information being presented, so that the Planning Board will be able to provide this information on the Town of Harvard website, enabling residents that may be unable to make such a hearing to be able to view and provide written comments.
B. 
The Zoning Board of Appeals shall be excluded from this process in order to preclude any potential issues of prejudice or bias should the project result in an application for a comprehensive permit.
C. 
Within 60 days following the close of the public hearing, the Planning Board shall decide whether or not to recommend a LIP endorsement and submit their recommendation and supporting information to the Select Board.
D. 
The Select Board shall inform the developer of its decision and should the Board decide to proceed with a LIP application, the Select Board shall provide a written report to support the decision and include all of the information, documents, results of reviews and comments made by the Planning Board, Board of Health, Conservation Commission, the public and other interested parties as part of the LIP application.
E. 
The Town Planner shall submit the application to the EOHLC LIP staff who will review the application, conduct a site visit and evaluate the application. If the project as proposed is approved, EOHLC will issue a site eligibility letter so that the developer may apply to the Harvard Zoning Board of Appeals for a comprehensive permit.