On Saturday morning, a member of the Zoning Board of Appeals, with support from the Planning Board, tried and failed to convince Special Town Meeting voters to rewrite residential zoning bylaws. The zoning change would have added a special permitted use for new development of two-family homes. Read the full article → from Zoning change for new 2-family homes fails to muster enough support
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Special Town Meeting results
Voters rejected a zoning change, but approved increasing CPA funding to complete the Golf Course Irrigation Project and Peninsula Trail connecting footbridge.
Here’s my quick recap of today’s decisions made by voters. Read the full article → from Special Town Meeting results
Advisory Committee Report to Special Town Meeting
This afternoon, the Advisory Committee shared its report to tomorrow morning’s Special Town Meeting. Read the full article → from Advisory Committee Report to Special Town Meeting
Saturday is Special Town Meeting (Updated)
An updated overview of the meeting and what Southborough voters are being asked to decide when they act as our Town's legislature this weekend.
Special Town Meeting is just two days away. Here’s my updated overview of what’s up for a vote. (And some logistics.) Read the full article → from Saturday is Special Town Meeting (Updated)
October 17th Special Town Meeting Overview (Updated)
Here's a look at what voters are being asked to approve at the upcoming meeting.
Special Town Meeting is coming up in 2½ weeks. Here’s my overview of what’s up for a vote. (And some logistics.) Read the full article → from October 17th Special Town Meeting Overview (Updated)
A look at the Two-Family Housing change headed to Special Town Meeting
On October 17th, voters will be asked to revise the bylaws for the special permitted use
In three meetings last week, the Zoning Board of Appeals reiterated that their proposed zoning bylaw would simply eliminate a time restriction in the zoning bylaws for two-family homes. The change also opens the special permitted use to apply to new construction. Read the full article → from A look at the Two-Family Housing change headed to Special Town Meeting
AG’s approval of recent Town zoning changes came with cautions
The Town was advised to consult with Town Counsel about issues flagged under the rewritten zoning bylaws for the Industrial Park District and Data Centers
On Friday, the Attorney General’s office issued its approval for zoning bylaw changes that voters approved at Annual Town Meeting.
The approval letter from an Assistant AG included several warnings to the Town about details under the changes for Industrial Park District/Data Centers that may pose legal issues. The Town was advised to consider making revisions at a future Town Meeting. Read the full article → from AG’s approval of recent Town zoning changes came with cautions
Public Hearings & Forum on changes to multi-family zoning
In two weeks, the Planning Board will open its public hearings on easing the zoning bylaws for special permits for two-family homes. Voters will be asked to pass proposed changes at the Special Town Meeting on October 17th.
Two nights after the hearings open, the Zoning Board of Appeals will hold another public forum on the bylaw changes proposed by them. Read the full article → from Public Hearings & Forum on changes to multi-family zoning
Public Forum on proposed changes for multi-family zoning — Next Wednesday
The ZBA is seeking to amend the bylaws for seeking special permits for two-family homes. The public can learn more (and weigh in) on August 12th.
The Zoning Board of Appeals is hoping that interested members of the public will join them for a forum a week from tonight. The focus is a zoning revision that members hope to get approved at the Special Town Meeting in October. Read the full article → from Public Forum on proposed changes for multi-family zoning — Next Wednesday
Public Forum on proposed changes for multi-family zoning
The ZBA is seeking to amend the bylaws for seeking special permits for two-family homes
The Zoning Board of Appeals hopes to bring a zoning revision to Special Town Meeting in October. But before public hearings are opened, they are inviting the community to learn more and provide feedback on their draft proposal at a public forum on August 12th. Read the full article → from Public Forum on proposed changes for multi-family zoning
Town Meeting Save-the-Dates
Last week, the Select Board voted on dates for the fall Special and spring Annual Town Meetings. Both will take place on Saturdays.
While voters should mark their calendars, they should also stay tuned. It’s very possible that an extra Special Town Meeting (date TBD) will be organized to vote on a Neary School building project. Read the full article → from Town Meeting Save-the-Dates
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