Woburn planning staff outlines proposed MBTA 3A overlay around Anderson Station; hearings possible in July

Director John reported to the Woburn City Planning Board on a proposed MBTA 3A overlay district intended to allow non-age-restricted multifamily housing near Anderson Station. He said the city's consultant "confirmed that the proposed 54 acre parcel . . . entirely located on the east side of the commuter rail line," and that the package includes drafting a new section 34 to the zoning ordinance to amend the table of uses and dimensional regulations.

John said the city solicitor will review the proposed ordinance language and then the mayor plans to submit the package to the City Council to begin the public hearing process. "The planning board may hold the public hearing at their July meeting," he said, and the council "may, move to schedule their public hearing in July also," though dates were not finalized at the June 11 meeting. John added that some councilors have discussed holding a public forum to coincide with those hearings.

On timing, John told the board the city has until Dec. 31 of this year to take final action on the package and that staff tentatively expect any final action to occur after Labor Day. He emphasized no formal action was required at the June 11 meeting and that draft ordinance materials would be distributed well in advance of any upcoming hearings.

The update centered on the geographic scope of the proposal, process steps (consultant confirmation, solicitor review, mayoral submission, council hearings) and a tentative schedule; board members offered thanks and posed no recorded substantive questions at the June 11 meeting. The Planning Board will consider the ordinance in public hearings once the solicitor and mayoral steps are complete.