Frequently Asked Questions

The Town is actively planning for the future in a number of synergistic areas, and housing must be analyzed and developed in conjunction and in a complementary manner to the existing plans. This work is begin done in collaboration with consultants from Barrett Planning Group.  The consultants need to evaluate and consider the interrelationship between and among the following (which is not an exhaustive list):

• The Climate Action Plan;
• The Sustainable Mobility Plan;
• Hazard Mitigation and Resilience Plan;
• Current land use regulations;
• The successful implementation of the 2018 Housing Production Plan;
• Successes and remaining objectives from the 2019 Unified Plan;
• The MBTA Communities Act;
• Recent zoning amendments;
• Factors affecting economic growth (labor force, employment base and housing market);
• School enrollment and projections; and
• Consideration of  fair housing issues.

The Wellesley Housing Task Force (HTF) is a communications channel and an advisory group with staff and board/committee representatives from the Select Board, Planning Board, Community Preservation Committee, the Housing Authority, Wellesley Housing Development Corporation, and Building a Better Wellesley. The HTF is a staff-appointed working group, convened by the Executive Director. As a staff appointed working group, the HTF is not subject to the open meeting law and does not post agendas or minutes. 

The group brings together the elected and appointed bodies within Wellesley’s decentralized Town Government structure that are involved in matters affecting housing or the production of housing. The HTF allows for round table-style discussions and updates on each board or committee’s pending projects.

The HTF takes no formal actions; every issue the HTF addresses is discussed by the entire group, not directed by a single constituency, board, interest group, or staff member. Any feedback, action or direction suggested by the HTF must ultimately be supported and implemented by the voting membership of an elected or appointed board/committee/commission, who then direct Town staff to execute as determined. The HTF does not include a quorum of any elected or appointed body. The housing advocacy group Building a Better Wellesley sought to join the HTF discussions in order to bring the ADU bylaw to 2024 Annual Town Meeting.  

Typical round table discussion topics for the HTF may include:

• Board and Committee plan updates, such as the Climate Action Plan, Sustainable Mobility Plan, or Hazard Mitigation Plan, each of which have interrelated issues with housing; 
• Compliance with MBTA Community Zoning 
• Wellesley Housing Development Corporation (WHDC) updates on various initiatives including the implications of the 2022 Wellesley Housing Market Study and updates on potential development by the WHDC of affordable housing units such as the home at 156 Weston Road;
• Zoning Updates such as  inclusionary zoning, MBTA Communities Act compliance, Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) bylaw, and preliminary feedback on projects seeking rezoning;
• Work Plan Items - current or future workplan items affecting housing 
• Affordable Housing Policies – Fair Housing and Town Meeting Affordable Housing Policy 
• Grants/Designations – Housing Choice Designation and related issues; and
• Wellesley Housing Authority Updates

The HTF issued a  Request for Proposal (RFP) for a consultant to develop the Strategic Housing Plan.  Four consultants applied, the HTF interviewed three, and determined that due to the length and breadth of her housing plan experience and housing expertise throughout the Commonwealth, Judi Barrett and the Barrett Group were the consultants who both understood the Town’s objectives most clearly and were the best choice to conduct a community-wide conversation regarding these issues.   

Through public participation in meetings, online surveys and polls, small-group interviews, and other means, the consultants will perform a comprehensive study and articulate the following:           

• Housing outcomes desired in the community - can we articulate a community housing mission?
• Changes the community would like to see in local housing options;
• A current housing needs assessment;
• Identification of all town resources - real property, stakeholders, staff, etc.;
• The most effective methods to  to fully deploy the resources;
• Metrics  to define goals in attainable, measurable ways;
• Logical steps to implementation and responsible staff/board members; and
• Tools to evaluate the process at every step.

Through this process, the Town will be prepared for and have strategies in place to guide future housing development that will meet the needs of ALL residents who desire to live here. 

The two most effective ways to stay informed are below.

1. Visit the  Barrett Planning Group interactive website: https://bpg.mysocialpinpoint.com/wellesleyshp

The website  includes background information on the SHP, the project, the process, and the timeline; a video of the public presentation from the first meeting on June 18, 2024; an explanation and poll opportunity from the six public input stations at the June 18 meeting.   

2.  Subscribe to News emails from the Town: www.wellesleyma.gov 

On the Town of Wellesley website homepage, click on the blue “Subscribe to News” button. Enter your email address and scroll to the “News Flash” section.  Check the box that says “Strategic Housing Plan” and follow the instructions to subscribe. You'll receive an email asking you to verify your subscription. Once done, you will receive news flash notices directly in your inbox.