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🗳️ Why Medford’s Upcoming Election Matters

This is the first of many articles you should consider ahead of the upcoming elections—and what you need to know. Re-electing the current slate is not in the best interest of Medford’s long-term future or our wallets.

With all the talk about building new schools, creating affordable housing, and growing revenue through a business tax, there’s a lot to unpack. First, let’s be clear: there isn’t a Medford resident who doesn’t want these things. Second, nothing comes free—everything has a cost, and that cannot be overstated.

We’ve already discussed why a slate-style city council (our revolution) is not an effective form of government. Unfortunately, this group—whether intentionally or not—has created division in Medford. Instead of fostering collaboration, their approach has deepened the divide. Ironically, even writing about them seems to widen it further. So let’s shift the conversation to something most people can relate to: how this all affects you.

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🏘️ Zoning and Density: What’s at Stake

Medford’s zoning overhaul, launched in 2022 and continuing through 2025, is guided by the city’s Comprehensive Plan, Housing Production Plan, and Climate Action and Adaptation Plan. These documents aim to increase housing supply, reduce emissions, and promote walkable neighborhoods City of Medford Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA). But the implementation raises serious concerns:

• Parking and Congestion: The new zoning proposals reduce off-street parking minimums in many areas. Residents in South Medford and Hillside already report difficulty finding parking during peak hours mattleming.com.
• Infrastructure Strain: Over 40% of Medford’s water and sewer lines are more than 75 years old. New developments will require costly upgrades, yet no comprehensive infrastructure plan has been released alongside the zoning changes mattleming.com.
• Construction Disruption: Infrastructure upgrades could cost tens of millions over the next decade, funded through rate increases and state grants.

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🏠 Affordable Housing: Promises vs. Practice

Medford’s zoning reform includes inclusionary housing policies, but implementation has been uneven:

• Limited Affordability: Of the 1,000+ units approved since 2020, only about 15–20% are designated as affordable. Most are priced for households earning 80% of Area Median Income (AMI), which exceeds $100,000 for a family of four in the Boston metro area citizenportal.ai City of Medford.
• Oversight Gaps: The city has not published a public audit of affordable housing compliance since 2018. Without regular enforcement, developers may not renew affordability agreements, which typically expire after 15–30 years City of Medford.
• Linkage Fee Loopholes: While Medford adopted a linkage fee in 2022 to charge developers for large projects, several developers have received waivers or reduced rates. The current fee is $4.74 per square foot—far below Boston’s $15.39 or Cambridge’s $33.34 mattleming.com.

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💸 What Does “Affordable” Really Mean?

The term “affordable” is often misunderstood. In Medford, a one-bedroom unit priced for someone earning 80% of AMI can still cost over $2,000 per month. For many residents—especially seniors, young families, and essential workers—that’s simply out of reach citizenportal.ai.

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🔍 The Bottom Line

Medford’s zoning overhaul is a pivotal moment. Residents must ask: Are we building a city that works for everyone—or just for developers? The upcoming elections will determine whether we continue down this path or demand a more transparent, inclusive, and data-driven approach.

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On November 4th please elect the following independent candidates to city council and lets bring back thoughtful, inclusive community engagement for the City of Medford.

Sources: City of Medford City of Medford Zoning Overview
Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA) Massachusetts Municipal Association on Medford Zoning
mattleming.com Matt Leming – Medford City Council Zoning Q&A
citizenportal.ai CitizenPortal.ai – Medford City Council Affordable Housing Debate
City of Medford City of Medford – Affordable Housing and 40B Projects