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
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
Today, the state Attorney General’s office issued an opinion approving the zoning Article passed by the October Special Town Meeting. Under the new bylaw, Costco will be able to apply for a permit to build and open a new store in Southborough. Read the full article → from AG greenlights zoning bylaw passed for Costco
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
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)
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
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
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
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
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
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)
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
[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
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)