Complete the 2024 Town survey by March 8th

Info collected from residents will help inform officials and voters for the upcoming Annual Town Meeting

The Town is requesting that residents participate in the annual survey.* Topics cover quality of life, departments and resources, and priorities for what you would like to see officials focus on.

This year, the survey also includes feedback on two issues that Town officials anticipate being topics at the Annual Town Meeting on March 23rd — MBTA Communities Zoning** and Dispatch staffing models. To help them prepare, and to inform other budget discussions, residents are asked to take part in time for them to compile results. Read the full article → from Complete the 2024 Town survey by March 8th

Planning Board hearings on zoning changes – Monday (Updated)

Look for changes to MBTA zoning draft bylaw language and one of the three maps for the initiative headed to Annual Town Meeting a month from today. Plus, hearings are already open on two smaller zoning changes on the Warrant.

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)

Planning Board prioritizing sections of Town to overlay MBTA Communities zoning

The board is working on evaluating and ranking multiple areas of town for proposed allowance of higher density housing

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

Town taking early steps on denser housing zoning

The Planning Board will seek public feedback on how best to comply with the state's "MBTA Communities" requirements for 50 acres of by-right zoning for denser housing.

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

Special Town Meeting: New zoning created for a Downtown District (Updated)

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)

Special Town Meeting: All Articles passed (though two with amendments)

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)

Downtown District: Official docs on what voters will approve; Answers to some public questions

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

Downtown District zoning: Compromise reached on the allowed mix in mixed-use

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

BOS stood by its vote on Downtown zoning; Advisory warns voters wary of multi-family housing

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

Downtown District zoning: Planning’s changes please opponents but frustrate proponents; Article may be pulled

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

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