On Monday night, the Planning Board will open its hearing on the proposed zoning bylaw for “MBTA Communities Multi-family Overlay District” (MCMOD). The hope is to gain public support, or make any revisions necessary to do that, prior to Annual Town Meeting on March 23rd. Read the full article → from Planning Board hearings on zoning changes – Monday (Updated)
On Monday night, residents and property owners/developers questioned the parcels that the Planning Board has selected for proposed MBTA zoning overlays. Read the full article → from MBTA Zoning Update
This week, the Planning Board discussed over 20 areas of town that residents had highlighted in mapping sessions might be good areas to overlay at least 50 acres of MBTA Communities zoning. They are working to determine which parcels to recommend be included in the overlay map. If passed by voters, the zoning would allow developers to build up to 15 housing units per acre in the mapped areas. Read the full article → from Planning Board prioritizing sections of Town to overlay MBTA Communities zoning
The Planning Board is leading the Town’s effort to comply with state requirements to allow denser housing in communities with MBTA public transit. Read the full article → from Town taking early steps on denser housing zoning
Last night, 3% of Southborough voters determined the fate of zoning for a district encompassing downtown Main Street. The motion that passed 182 to 65 was a bylaw revised by voters on Town Meeting floor. Read the full article → from Special Town Meeting: New zoning created for a Downtown District (Updated)
Last night, Southborough voters quickly passed 9 Articles on the Special Town Meeting Warrant. They then spent hours discussing, debating, and amending the 10th before finally passing a version of the Downtown District zoning bylaw. Read the full article → from Special Town Meeting: All Articles passed (though two with amendments)
On Monday night, Southborough will hold a Special Town Meeting. Here are the details. Read the full article → from Monday’s Town Meeting-at-a-glance: “No Mask, No Entry”; What’s on the Warrant
Following up with selectmen’s official documents on the Amended Article and zoning changes. Plus, I’m following up on questions/claims about Wastewater Treatment costs. Read the full article → from Downtown District: Official docs on what voters will approve; Answers to some public questions
I’m trying to make it easier for readers to understand what would and wouldn’t change under zoning Article 10 of the Special Town Meeting Warrant. Read the full article → from Downtown District Zoning: A look at the specifics
Last night, selectmen voted to approve bringing a revised version of the Downtown District zoning bylaw to Town Meeting voters in less than two weeks. It accepts compromises reached between the Planning Board and the Economic Development Committee. Read the full article → from Downtown District zoning: Compromise reached on the allowed mix in mixed-use
This week, the Economic Development Committee failed to convince the Board of Selectmen to walk back changes to the proposed Downtown District zoning bylaw. Later, an Advisory Committee member predicted that an aspect EDC, BOS and Planning haven’t been discussing will sink the Special Town Meeting Article. Read the full article → from BOS stood by its vote on Downtown zoning; Advisory warns voters wary of multi-family housing
After months of meetings, forums, and hearings, the Planning Board, Board of Selectmen, and vocal downtown residents and abutters came to apparent consensus on a proposed Downtown District Bylaw to present to Town Meeting voters. Unfortunately, that version is one that doesn’t pass muster with the group that initially spearheaded the initiative. Read the full article → from Downtown District zoning: Planning’s changes please opponents but frustrate proponents; Article may be pulled
This week, the Planning Board reopened hearings on proposed changes to the Downtown District Bylaw. Read the full article → from Downtown zoning: Suggestions, map issues, economic questions, transparency, and status
Last night the Board of Selectmen voted to delay the Special Town Meeting that had been scheduled for October 4th. The date is now tentatively reset to November 1st. Read the full article → from Special Town Meeting: Date pushed; Downtown District zoning hearings to reopen (with same map)