WORCESTER, Mass. - With more than 7,000 new housing units planned for the city of Worcester, inclusionary zoning is back on the agenda for city councilors. 

The council will be reviewing the economic development committee's recommendations about the proposal at its meeting Tuesday night. The ordinance would require a portion of new development be set aside for affordable housing. 

District 5 councilor Etel Haxhiaj said the community wants the ordinance made stronger. One way she is looking to do that is by requiring 5% of the units be set aside for low-income Worcester residents, including people with disabilities.

"What we are trying to do, and what I think everyone on council is trying to do, is to make this proposal the city of Worcester's first affordable housing propose," Haxhiaj said. "And I say that because really it is the only way we can use our laws to really set aside some units or folks with disabilities, as well as low income in visuals. This is the first time we've had that, and so we need to make sure we are not missing the ball.

"We have an opportunity to make it stronger and meaningful, so let's do it and I hope that is the bottom line. That is what the community has been calling for, that's what the affordable housing coalition is calling for."

It's almost impossible to predict when this proposal will be voted on given the ability to make amendments. Anything related to zoning in the city of Worcester needs eight votes to pass.