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Acton approves open-space residential zoning to require conservation set-asides and encourage smaller homes
Summary
Town Meeting approved a zoning amendment that makes cluster/conservation subdivision design the default by-right method, requires significant resource land set-asides and creates two inclusionary options to encourage smaller and deed-restricted affordable homes.
Acton Town Meeting approved a substantial zoning rewrite aimed at protecting open space while encouraging smaller, more affordable housing types.
The amendment makes the Planned Conservation Residential Community (PCRC) design — which clusters homes and preserves resource land — Acton’s default by-right subdivision approach. Under the change, applicants must preserve 60% of a parcel as resource land in a standard subdivision, while the remaining 40% can be developed. The bylaw also creates incentives for smaller homes and two options for adding 1,500-square-foot deed-restricted units: a by-right option allowing up to seven units per acre (with at least 10% deed-restricted affordable units) and a special-permit option enabling higher density (up to 15 units per acre) with stronger open-space protection and design standards.
Proponents, including the planning director…
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