Did you know there’s a massive zoning project underway that will impact development in town for decades to come?
The Zoning Advisory Committee (ZAC) has been working for a couple years now to revamp the town’s zoning code. The implications for the town will be far-reaching, so the ZAC has sponsored a number of public forums and working sessions to gather up feedback from residents on how they’d like to see the town developed (or not).
Two more such sessions are scheduled for February, one on open space and one on the villages. You can get all the details in this flier (click to enlarge):
All residents are invited to attend. And if you need some additional incentive, they usually serve cookies.
I would be very disappointed to see certain residential areas, especially the Lyman Street area, where I live, rezoned to allow businesses. Some of the most beautiful old homes in Southborough are at risk. It would be a great detriment to the character of our lovely town. It would also ruin some lovely family neighborhoods. I plan to attend on February 10 and I hope my neighbors do, too.
It is very unfortunate that there will be a Zoning Board committee meeting on Feb. 10 on this issue that affects so many residents at the very same time the School Board will be meeting to decide whether we will be laying off teachers.
The purpose of the proposed plan is allegedly to incorporate the neighborhood residents into the downtown commerce area. This is putting the cart before the horse. I suggest we clean up the vacant lot on the corner or Newton and Main — the central focal point of anyone going through our town — for starters, including removing the dilapidated chain link fence. Then, we encourage existing store/restaurant owners to clean up the trash and cigarette butts clogging the sidewalk. Then we figure out what the purpose of the VFW building — is it in use? Then we pave the sidewalks (!) and road in the center of town. THEN we can start thinking about a commercial area in the center of town. And only then do we need to discuss whether changing the zoning of the residences nearby will encourage those residents to feel more incorporated into our community.
The Lyman Street neighborhood alone has more than 15 young children living there. Many of the homes are more than 100 years old. Changing the zoning of the street around the downtown area detracts from the historic, bucolic and economic value of these homes.