The Planning Board is proposing five zoning articles for consideration at the 2008 Annual Town Meeting. Two are essentially housekeeping measures. One clarifies how the front setback is measured (from front line, not road pavement) and the other merges the M and EA multifamily districts. Currently, the M district has a set of requirements and then the EA district says M applies except for the following differences. It makes it difficult to follow because one has to flip back and forth in the Zoning Bylaw to read the provisions of the EA district. Furthermore, there is no land currently zoned as M and everything that can be done under M can be done under EA as well. This article helps simplify our bylaw while making no substantive change.
There are three substantive articles. One would create a Design Review Committee to make recommendations about design (including buildings, signs, lighting, landscaping, etc.) to the Planning Board for projects subject to site plan review or a special permit. It does not affect single family homes. Another article would allow multidwellings as part of a Planned Unit Development with certain restrictions (no more than 50% of the square footage could be residential, at least 10% of units must be affordable and there could be no more than 4 units per acre). The fifth article would amend the maximum allowable size for a retail outlet (currently 2500 square feet, excluding any kitchen or storage space) by allowing a single outlet to be up to 7500 square feet (and all others would still have to comply with the 2500 square foot maximum).
The text of these articles can be seen on the Planning Board web site.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Town Center Water District
One of the major initiatives currently underway that could affect the future of the Town Center is the possibility of a establishing a water district or otherwise providing a public water supply. A workgroup initiated by the Sherborn Business Association has been studying this possibility. The workgroup submitted a report to the Selectmen last October. That report is posted on the Planning Board web site which can be accessed by clicking on the underlined words. The link to the report can be found in the "News" section of the web page.
That report has been followed by test wells drilled on Price Woodlands off Morse Road. When that parcel was acquired by the Town in the 1990's, it was designated for future use as a municipal well site since it overlaps with one of the Town's aquifers. The test wells indicate that there appears to be sufficient quantity at the site. However, the tests for water quality have not yet been completed. When that information is available it will be posted here.
That report has been followed by test wells drilled on Price Woodlands off Morse Road. When that parcel was acquired by the Town in the 1990's, it was designated for future use as a municipal well site since it overlaps with one of the Town's aquifers. The test wells indicate that there appears to be sufficient quantity at the site. However, the tests for water quality have not yet been completed. When that information is available it will be posted here.
Monday, October 22, 2007
Design Issues
Among the many issues affecting the Town Center, one of the major ones pertains to design. Thought is being given to establishing a Design Review Committee that would make suggestions regarding site design, building design, landscaping, parking, lighting, signage etc. for any project that requires a site plan review or special permit from the Planning Board.
In addition to reacting to development proposals, one task of such a committee would be to draft a set of design guidelines that would assist applicants and their architects, engineers and landscape architects in designing a project that would be a good fit for Sherborn.
Any thoughts on this concept as well as any specific issues that should be addressed would be approeciated.
In addition to reacting to development proposals, one task of such a committee would be to draft a set of design guidelines that would assist applicants and their architects, engineers and landscape architects in designing a project that would be a good fit for Sherborn.
Any thoughts on this concept as well as any specific issues that should be addressed would be approeciated.
Monday, October 15, 2007
Town Center Issues
The first topic I would like to discuss is the Town Center. There have been a number of development proposals over the past few years and there is currently an effort by a Sherborn Business Association work group to establish a water district in the Town Center. A possible district is illustrated in the post below.
The Planning Board is currently preparing a study of the Town Center. I will post more information about that study shortly. One part of that study is to conduct a survey of Town residents. You will hear more about this soon. In the mean time, please free to comment on any aspect of the Town Center that you feel is appropriate. This can include what you see as the good and bad features of it as it currently exists, your thoughts about the future of the Town Center, or any other related topic that you wish.
You will also have the opportunity to react to more specific information after I post it on this blog.
The Planning Board is currently preparing a study of the Town Center. I will post more information about that study shortly. One part of that study is to conduct a survey of Town residents. You will hear more about this soon. In the mean time, please free to comment on any aspect of the Town Center that you feel is appropriate. This can include what you see as the good and bad features of it as it currently exists, your thoughts about the future of the Town Center, or any other related topic that you wish.
You will also have the opportunity to react to more specific information after I post it on this blog.
Welcome to Sherborn Planning Issues!
As noted in the box on the right, this blog is intended to serve as a forum on planning-related issues in the Town of Sherborn. It is hoped that this can be facilitate two-way communication between the Planning Board and Town residents.
As Town Planner, I will periodically post comments about current issues in Town and will solicit your feedback. I hope that you will take advantage of this opportunity to learn about things that are happenning in Town as well as to provide your input on issues that are important to you or that you believe are important to the Town.
As Town Planner, I will periodically post comments about current issues in Town and will solicit your feedback. I hope that you will take advantage of this opportunity to learn about things that are happenning in Town as well as to provide your input on issues that are important to you or that you believe are important to the Town.
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