A blog for locals, by a local

State guts Town’s ban on Use Variances

According to Town Counsel, the voter-passed ban no longer applies to residential projects. The change is meant to remove roadblocks to increasing the supply of housing across the state.

by Beth Melo on

Above: Once upon a time, Town Meeting voters stripped a Town board of its authority to allow uses not covered by Town zoning. A new state law changes things. (image cropped from meeting video)

Ten years ago, a well-attended Town Meeting voted to eliminate “Use Variances”. The vote was prompted by anger over a controversial housing project. Changes in state law passed this month now reinstate use variances for residential uses.

(Coincidentally, the timing of the change is during the month that a legal case stemming from the same 2015-2016 controversy is headed to trial.) Read the full article →

Costco gets zoning relief from ZBA

ZBA allowed variances from zoned setbacks and height restrictions

by Beth Melo on

On Wednesday night, the Zoning Board of Appeals granted Costco’s request for variances to restricted property setbacks for retaining walls and height restrictions on light poles. The developer is now able to incorporate those into the plans it will “very shortly” submit to the Planning Board when it next seeks Major Site Plan Approval. Read the full article → from Costco gets zoning relief from ZBA

Final Summer Block Party on Thursday

A repeat Green Monster visit is one of the highlights planned for the family-fun party with music and games

by Beth Melo on

If you missed the free fun Southborough Recreation put on last week, make sure your calendar’s marked for next week’s Block Party! (Plus, don’t forget about tonight’s outdoor concert.) Read the full article → from Final Summer Block Party on Thursday

CA: “Should local nonprofits do more for municipal budgets?”

The Community Advocate looks at the status of PILOT payments by Southborough private schools and the continuing push and resistance on increasing contributions.

by Beth Melo on

An article in the Community Advocate yesterday focused on how much (or little) Southborough private schools contribute towards the Town’s budget. Read the full article → from CA: “Should local nonprofits do more for municipal budgets?”

A look at Southborough’s Handwritten Declaration of Independence (Updated)

by Beth Melo on

I’m correcting and updating on a recent post about the Town’s Declaration of Independence. I learned that at some point, the Town located the handwritten copy from 1776. The historic document is also part of the Town’s historical records that have been digitized and uploaded for the public to access.

I’m also sharing some more interesting history from the period that was captured in the records. Read the full article → from A look at Southborough’s Handwritten Declaration of Independence (Updated)

WooSox Southborough Town Takeover next week (Updated)

Use the correct link to buy tickets to the July 22nd game to benefit the Town Scholarship Fund.

by Beth Melo on

The WooSox is incentivizing Southborough to cheer on the Triple A home team next week. That includes supporting the Town’s scholarship fund and inviting a well-known “Hometown Hero” to make the first pitch. Read the full article → from WooSox Southborough Town Takeover next week (Updated)

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