783 Special Town Meeting Voters weighed in on a zoning change that would allow Costco to seek a special permit to open a store at 21 Coslin Drive. Only 12 of them opposed the change proposed under Article 1. Read the full article → from Town Meeting Recap
zoning-bylaw
Fall Town Meeting Article 1 Update
An update on the zoning Article that would allow Costco to apply for a Special Permit in Southborough, and smaller retailers to apply for permits on abutting properties.
The Southborough Select Board has been working to drum up excitement and turnout for the Special Town Meeting this Monday night. Their primary focus is getting voters to approve a zoning change they promote as allowing an economic boon for the Town. To allow Costco to apply for a Special Permit to build a store at the old EMC/Dell campus, 2/3 of participating voters will need to approve Article 1. Read the full article → from Fall Town Meeting Article 1 Update
Letter from Advisory to Town Meeting Voters
The committee asked me to share with readers its report for the Special Town Meeting on Monday
This Monday night, Southborough voters are invited to participate in a Special Town Meeting to vote on 10 Articles. For each Town Meeting, the Advisory Committee is charged with writing a report for voters to aid them in their decision making. The committee asked me to share that with readers in advance. Read the full article → from Letter from Advisory to Town Meeting Voters
Updated Primer on Monday night’s Special Town Meeting (Updated)
Here's a look at what voters are being asked to approve at the meeting, including updated motions, news, and context.
Special Town Meeting is coming up in four days. Here’s my overview of what’s up for a vote. (And details on attending.) Read the full article → from Updated Primer on Monday night’s Special Town Meeting (Updated)
Fall Town Meeting Update: Planning & Advisory supportive of IP Zoning change for EMC/Costco parcel
Most Planning Board and Advisory Committee members voiced support for the updated version of a proposed zoning bylaw that could allow building a Costco on a singled out parcel in the Industrial Park Zone. Just don't call it "spot zoning".
Monday night, an attorney for Capital Group Properties, which owns the Park Central parcel north of Route 9, argued that a proposed amendment to Industrial Park zoning is illegal “spot zoning”.
Planning Board members disagreed, siding with the developer (Atlantic Management) who is proposing the zoning change. Read the full article → from Fall Town Meeting Update: Planning & Advisory supportive of IP Zoning change for EMC/Costco parcel
Letter: Select Board asks residents to support zoning Warrant Article at Special Town Meeting
[Ed note: My Southborough accepts signed letters to the editor submitted by Southborough residents. Letters may be emailed to mysouthborough@gmail.com.
The following letter is from the Southborough Select Board.] Read the full article → from Letter: Select Board asks residents to support zoning Warrant Article at Special Town Meeting
Fall Town Meeting Update: IP Zoning changes focus on bringing Costco to town (Updated-again)
The Article proposed by Atlantic Management would allow the popular chain to apply for a special permit to open a store on an old EMC parcel. Planning is working to limit other IP parcels eligible for the new use. And the Select Board is touting the economic boon.
A representative for the owner of the old EMC parcel seeking a new zoning use revealed the big fish they’re trying to land. According to Atlantic Management’s attorney, they are in negotiations with Costco.
The retailer was revealed during Monday night’s Planning Board hearing during an explanation for the developer’s urgency in trying to add “Highway Major Retail” as a use in the Industrial Park (IP) zone. At their meeting last night, the Select Board emphasized the revenue that a “magnet” store like Costco could bring into Southborough. Read the full article → from Fall Town Meeting Update: IP Zoning changes focus on bringing Costco to town (Updated-again)
Letter: Industrial Park re-zoning proposal is an economic opportunity that should be embraced
[Ed note: My Southborough accepts signed letters to the editor submitted by Southborough residents. Letters may be emailed to mysouthborough@gmail.com.
The following letter is from Planning Board member Alan Belniak.] Read the full article → from Letter: Industrial Park re-zoning proposal is an economic opportunity that should be embraced
Fall Town Meeting: ADU bylaw coming back in simplified form (Updated)
Industrial Park zoning changes aren’t the only zoning the Planning Board has been working on of late. They are also bringing an ADU (Accessor Dwelling Unit) Article to the Fall Town Meeting. Read the full article → from Fall Town Meeting: ADU bylaw coming back in simplified form (Updated)
Fall Town Meeting: Developer’s Article proposes new use for entire Industrial Park zone
Officials and proponents debated crafting a use that applies to all IP zoned lots (like Park Central) but would only be possible on the old EMC property.
The Planning Board has scheduled an additional hearing for this Monday to deal with a challenging, but highly desired, zoning Article. The Select Board is eager for Fall Town Meeting voters to approve an Industrial Park zoning use that will allow permitting and construction of a project at 21 Coslin Drive. Read the full article → from Fall Town Meeting: Developer’s Article proposes new use for entire Industrial Park zone
Developer pitches zoning change to allow a retail project on old EMC parcel
This past winter, a developer purchased about 30 acres of the old Dell/EMC property parcels off of Route 9. Now they are seeking to work with the Town on zoning changes to allow an economically viable project that fits with the community’s vision. Read the full article → from Developer pitches zoning change to allow a retail project on old EMC parcel
Fall Town Meeting anticipated in early November
Expect zoning Articles on the Warrant to cleanup confusing language around Accessory Apartments and hopefully promote business development in the Industrial Park zone
Last week, the Select Board discussed tentatively scheduling the Special Town Meeting this fall for the evening of Monday, November 3rd. Read the full article → from Fall Town Meeting anticipated in early November
ADU Bylaw changes fail to pass Town Meeting
At last night’s Annual Town Meeting, voters rejected a proposal to update bylaws for special permits for Accessory Apartments. In response, the Planning Board pulled a related Article on oversight of uses that the state now allows by-right. Read the full article → from ADU Bylaw changes fail to pass Town Meeting
Annual Town Meeting: Article 30 to enable more shared parking
At Monday’s Annual Town Meeting, voters will be asked to amend the zoning bylaws for parking in commercial districts. The proposal is to make it easier for businesses to share designated parking spaces. The change isn’t just pro-business. It’s also promoted as “environmentally friendly”. Read the full article → from Annual Town Meeting: Article 30 to enable more shared parking