This lot is currently home to a 3 family building. However, it is zoned such that is only allowed 2 units, due to a lot size/unit minimum of 5000 square feet on an 11,000 square foot lot.

This is the most housing someone can put on this lot, because more homes are banned. 1/ https://twitter.com/_EmilyNorton/status/1287055420406878208

When we say "eliminate apartment bans", this is what we mean. Under a more appropriate zoning guidance like where I live, this could be a 6-unit apartment building; under something like the Affordable Housing Overlay, it could be a 20 unit affordable development. 2/

Even *what was already there before* is a violation of zoning -- which is why this is going from 3 units to just two. Newton is *losing* homes because of their current zoning.

And Emily Norton believes that Newton shouldn't reform these rules to allow more homes. /3

Oh, also: If this had 7 or more units? At least 15% of them would be affordable, because of Newton's inclusionary zoning rules.

If it had 20 or more? 17.5%.

100 or more? 20%.

The apartments behind Senator Warren's house are on a lot about the same size, and home to 32 condos.

If Newton legalized apartments here, they could see 6 affordable units for residents of Newton -- without the government spending a dime, simply by allowing the type of housing that is common throughout the region.