Town Meeting approved expanding right to add Accessory Dwelling Units

Owners of single family homes will have a right to add an apartment or additional unit, within size caps, and as long as they meet other zoning (and septic) restrictions.

I’m continuing to follow up on debates that took place at Annual Town Meeting earlier this month. Today I’m focusing on a zoning change that should make it much easier for residents to add Accessory Dwelling Units to their homes. Read the full article → from Town Meeting approved expanding right to add Accessory Dwelling Units

Town Meeting debates line between balanced and exclusionary Industrial Park zoning

Voters debated polar opposite amendments to Planning's proposed zoning changes. One focused on better attracting AI Data Centers with looser restrictions. The other sought more protections for abutting residential zones.

Earlier this week, I wrote that Annual Town Meeting passed everything Town officials asked for and rejected the only thing officials opposed.

It turns out, that’s not quite accurate — since not all officials were on the same page. A key example was the Industrial Park zoning changes proposed under Article 17. Read the full article → from Town Meeting debates line between balanced and exclusionary Industrial Park zoning

More Zoning Articles at Town Meeting

Zoning Articles seek to allow Tricentennial Signs, and fix errors in bylaws (MBTA Communities dimension restrictions, and outdated references to a defunct committee)

The Warrant for tomorrow’s Town Meeting includes five zoning Articles. I’ve recently covered two of them. Today, I’m focusing on the three remaining proposed bylaw revisions. Read the full article → from More Zoning Articles at Town Meeting

Annual Town Meeting Article 29: Expanding by-right ADU use (Updated)

Raising the size and proportion caps on Accessory Dwelling Units property owners can add to or alongside their homes

The Attorney General’s office issued its finding on the Town’s bylaws allowing, but limiting, the by-right use of Accessory Dwelling Units. The version overwhelmingly passed by Town Meeting voters last fall is only “partially” approved as complying with state laws. Read the full article → from Annual Town Meeting Article 29: Expanding by-right ADU use (Updated)

ATM Article 17: Updating Industrial Park zoning

A look at the proposed modernized uses and new protections

For over a year, the Planning Board has been working on zoning updates to attract more business revenue, while still protecting residents and conservation areas from negative impacts.

The result is Annual Town Meeting Article 17. On April 11th, voters will be asked to approve modernized and expanded uses, along with new restrictions, for Southborough’s Industrial Park Zone. Read the full article → from ATM Article 17: Updating Industrial Park zoning

AG’s office “partially” approves Town’s ADU Bylaw

The decision strikes the bylaw's ban on "mobile homes" based on how those are defined under Southborough bylaws.

The Attorney General’s office issued its finding on the Town’s bylaws allowing, but limiting, the by-right use of Accessory Dwelling Units. The version overwhelmingly passed by Town Meeting voters last fall is only “partially” approved as complying with state laws. Read the full article → from AG’s office “partially” approves Town’s ADU Bylaw

Proposed zoning changes for 55+ (or not) Housing

Questions raised about doubled density allowances and lack of cap on special permitted projects

Today, I’m spotlighting another one of the the proposed zoning bylaw revisions headed to Annual Town Meeting in April — the “55+ Housing Bylaw Update. Read the full article → from Proposed zoning changes for 55+ (or not) Housing

Planning working on zoning changes to Industrial Park uses and several other Articles for Annual Town Meeting (Updated)

Hearings on changes to encourage economic development are in addition to ones correcting errors in bylaws, expanding allowed 55+ Housing & Accessory dwellings, and allowing Tricentennial signs/banners

This winter, the Planning Board is holding hearings on multiple, wide-ranging revisions to Southborough’s zoning bylaws. Today, I’m covering a quick look at the full list and a deeper dive on one of them. Read the full article → from Planning working on zoning changes to Industrial Park uses and several other Articles for Annual Town Meeting (Updated)

Costco Update: AG’s office pauses bylaw approval while looking into resident’s “spot zoning” complaint

This week, representatives for Costco and the property owners of 21 Coslin Drive updated the Planning Board on their plans to build a Costco in Southborough.

In the meeting, the board discussed a complication in the legal process. The Attorney General’s office held up its approval of the zoning bylaw revision that the project hinges on. The state is taking a closer look based on a complaint letter claiming the bylaw is illegal “spot zoning”. Read the full article → from Costco Update: AG’s office pauses bylaw approval while looking into resident’s “spot zoning” complaint

Developers hope to build 60 rental units on Southville Road

The two 3 story buildings would exceed what voters were told was viable on the undeveloped 4 acre parcel

In this week’s Planning Board meeting, members heard from developers proposing the first large development under Southborough’s MBTA Communities Zoning bylaw voters passed last fall. Read the full article → from Developers hope to build 60 rental units on Southville Road

Town Meeting voters supported both zoning Articles

Highlights from zoning discussions last night related to the potential Costco project and Accessory Apartments/Dwelling Units

Today’s recap of last night’s Special Town Meeting will focus on the zoning articles voted on last night. (Look for other meeting highlights in a post tomorrow.) Read the full article → from Town Meeting voters supported both zoning Articles

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

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