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Woburn committee debates MBTA-area '3A' overlay; council requests MBTA briefing and keeps proposal in committee
Summary
Councilors debated a proposed MBTA overlay zoning district that could allow by-right, non–age-restricted multifamily development on a 54-acre area (39 acres owned by MBTA). The committee voted to invite an MBTA representative to a public hearing and to keep the matter in committee for further review, including affordable-housing thresholds.
WOBURN — A proposed MBTA-area zoning overlay generated extended debate Sept. 9 as councilors weighed state guidance, MBTA acreage and affordable-housing requirements.
The Planning Director presented a draft MBTA overlay district covering about 54 acres east of the commuter rail and described how state statute commonly referred to in the hearing as '3A' and associated guidelines could make certain multifamily projects by-right within such an overlay. The director said the overlay maps meet a 50-acre guideline threshold and that a theoretical full buildout could yield thousands of units (figures described as illustrative).
Councilors raised concerns that 39 of the 54 acres are MBTA-owned and urged caution; several members asked to hear directly from MBTA staff. Councilors also debated local affordability language: the planning director said state guidelines provide for a 10% by-right affordable baseline but that local zoning could seek up to 25% affordable with state approval.
One councilor moved and the committee voted to send a communication inviting Scott Bosworth (MBTA) to the public hearing and to leave the amendment in committee pending that briefing and further public comment. Several councilors emphasized that adopting an overlay does not itself produce housing but changes the review pathway for certain applications under state statute.
The committee left the matter in committee to allow testimony from MBTA representatives and further review before any final vote.
