Downtown District’s mixed-use zoning: Code confusion, interpretation issues, and viability criticism

A project at 2 E Main St puts a spotlight on issues around the mixed-use zoning, including an apparent mistake in the Town Code.

Special Town Meeting voted to create a bylaw for mixed residential and commercial use buildings zoning downtown. Years later, the first project publicly proposed to make use of the new zoning ran into obstacles that highlight some issues. (The Building Commissioner has apparently interpreted the language differently than it was pitched to voters. And I discovered that the bylaw printed in the online Town Code isn’t the version that voters passed.) Read the full article → from Downtown District’s mixed-use zoning: Code confusion, interpretation issues, and viability criticism

2 East Main St developer announces change to multi-family only building project

Downtown landowner finds mixed-use zoning includes "obstacles" too restrictive to move forward with retail uses

One of the Planning Board agenda items tonight that should draw public interest is a big change to the proposed mixed-residential and commercial/retail project at 2 East Main Street. According to the property owner, definitions under the Downtown District zoning bylaws “severely restrict project size to the point of economic failure”. Read the full article → from 2 East Main St developer announces change to multi-family only building project

Planning Board may vote on site plan for Valvoline Instant Oil Change on Flagg Road

On Monday, the Planning Board will continue its discussion on the Minor Site Plan for a new business on the vacant parcel at the corner of Route 9 and Flagg Road.

If the board votes to approve the plan as proposed, egress would exclusively on Flagg Road. The egress raised some concerns from board members. Meanwhile, the board’s landscaping requirements raised concerns with the owner of the abutting property leased by Nan’s Kitchen. Read the full article → from Planning Board may vote on site plan for Valvoline Instant Oil Change on Flagg Road

Library didn’t get grant for building project

Trustees discuss next steps and negative impact of Southborough's overall wealth on its ability to attract grants.

Recently, Town officials learned that the state grant to co-fund a Library building project didn’t come through. Here is my recap of what happened and the next steps. Read the full article → from Library didn’t get grant for building project

Update on Public Works Planning Board/Advisory Committee status (Updated – Again)

This month, the Select Board followed up on changes the state approved to the legislation that created Southborough’s Department of Public Works. But the board has apparently side stepped the other piece of the multi-step process presented to Town Meeting voters last spring. Read the full article → from Update on Public Works Planning Board/Advisory Committee status (Updated – Again)

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