This workshop contributes to the adoption of a compliant zoning overlay district set forth in M.G.L. 40A, Section 3A, better known as "MBTA Communities zoning." The Town has conducted various outreach activities to solicit feedback to help shape this potential district. First, a survey was conducted in July 2023 which asked residents to rank the six potential district sites. A virtual feedback session held on August 15, 2023 followed where overall district requirements and the survey results were presented and discussed. An in-person workshop held on September 13, 2023 asked participants to note various advantages and disadvantages of each of the six proposed sites to help narrow the options down to three.
At this second live feedback session scheduled for October 12, participants are asked to consider three potential districts which emerged from previous sessions as the most advantageous: Main A (Heath Brook Plaza to Oakdale Plaza), Main B (St. Williams to Colonial Drive), and North B (Trull Brook Golf Course). To inform the discussion, feedback has been solicited from the public safety and public works departments to provide context related to emergency response and resources as well as infrastructure capabilities and potential challenges. District features such as density, building height, and open space requirements will also be discussed. The intention for this workshop is to finalize two viable district options for consideration.
Following this feedback session, the potential districts will be presented to the Select Board and Planning Board in late October. From there, the district is submitted to the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) for a compliance review before submitting to Town Meeting.
As an MBTA adjacent community, the Town of Tewksbury must adopt a zoning district of a minimum of 50 acres to allow housing density of at least 15 units per acre by right. Eligible acreage must be free of wetlands, environmentally sensitive areas, and other excludable land as defined by law.
The project is supported by the Northern Middlesex Council of Governments (NMCOG) District Local Technical Assistance grant funded by EOHLC.
Registration is not required but is encouraged. Register using this link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mbta-communities-zoning-shaping-the-district-tickets-722273588747?aff=oddtdtcreator
For questions about this project, please contact Community/Economic Development Planner, Alexandra Lowder, at alowder@tewksbury-ma.gov or visit www.tewksbury-ma.gov/mbtacommunities