Despite learning that the zoning bylaws for mixed-use in the Downtown District are less restrictive than he had been told, the developer for a building at 2 East Main Street won’t pursue that use. Instead he will proceed with a multi-family project. Read the full article → from 2 East Main St Update: Hearings being readvertised as Multi-family project
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
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
I’m behind on updating readers about several projects that developers have been seeking permits for. One that I’ve been meaning to dig into is the mixed-use building downtown at 2 East Main Street. The good news for me is that I’ve been given more time, since the hearing scheduled to resume on Monday should be continued to a future date.
While I’m sharing that new, I’ll also cover the similar status of a small housing development proposed at 26 Meadow Lane and 250 Turnpike Road (contractor’s yard). Read the full article → from Planning Board Hearings to be continued to late January
This letter to the editor from the Historical Commission Chair about alleged “disinformation” from proponents of the Downtown Initiative at the November 1st Special Town Meeting. Read the full article → from Letter: Open letter to residents on Monday night’s Special Town Meeting
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