Woodsong Associates and Office of: Office provided data-driven policy recommendations to the Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) to enable Additional Dwelling Units (ADUs) as a by-right equitable housing strategy in all residential zones. Woodsong Associates led the technical analysis, and supported Office of: Office in the policy analysis of the existing zoning code.

Focusing on the Mattapan Neighborhood District, Woodsong conducted a variance analysis to understand the socio-economic and regulatory barriers to constructing ADUs. This was paired with 25 architectural feasibility case studies of parcels with existing ADUs.

Woodsong also performed a detailed geospatial zoning analysis to inform specific lot dimensional code recommendations that preserved neighborhood character, while advancing BPDA’s zoning reform goals.

Based on the multi-layered analysis, the team presented potential zoning code updates, such as eliminating owner-occupancy and parking requirements, refining lot coverage thresholds, and overhauling the ADU ordinance. The most critical recommendation was consolidating eight residential zoning subdistricts into a single middle infill housing district, with one set of form-based standards. This new district would allow up to four homes per parcel to support affordable infill housing.

Since project completion, BPDA has amended their zoning code to incorporate several of the team’s recommendations.