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Economic Development Committee backs zoning changes to simplify Town of Westborough downtown business district
Summary
Planning staff told the Economic Development Committee the proposed Article 31 would replace the downtown overlay with a single downtown business district to reduce parcel‑by‑parcel uncertainty, align zoning with the town master and downtown plans, and give the design review board clearer oversight. The committee voted to send a letter of support.
Jenny of the Town of Westborough Planning Department presented Article 31, a zoning amendment designed to simplify and clarify the downtown business district zoning and reduce uncertainty for property and business owners.
The proposal would replace the downtown planning overlay district (DPOD) and eliminate industrial zoning within the downtown boundary, creating a single base downtown business district instead of parcel‑by‑parcel overlays. Jenny said the change is intended to “create a clearer and more predictable framework” and better align the bylaw with the town’s master plan and downtown plan. She explained the DPOD has required parcels to be reclassified at town meeting before they can seek a planning‑board special permit, which adds time and cost for owners seeking to reinvest.
Under the proposal, parcels currently split between residential and commercial or industrial zones would be rezoned to reflect actual use (Jenny specifically cited rezoning properties such as 70 Church Street and St. Luke’s), and the design review board would gain explicit jurisdiction to review architectural changes, signage, lighting and landscaping for buildings in the downtown district. The article keeps most of the existing dimensional standards in place but clarifies front‑yard maximums (Jenny said a 10‑foot maximum front yard is proposed to encourage buildings close to the street), retains site‑plan review and special‑permit authority for increases in nonconformity, and adds bike‑parking standards. Jenny emphasized the proposal does not introduce new commercial activities but instead codifies existing uses and reduces regulatory risk for reinvestment.
Committee members asked about potential impacts on nonconforming lots and whether existing uses would be grandfathered. Jenny said nonconforming lots could still be developed without an extra special permit (they would still go through site‑plan review) and that most uses currently allowed as special permit uses would either remain or be changed to “allowed” to reduce ambiguity. After discussion, the Economic Development Committee voted to authorize a letter of support for Article 31 to be sent to the Planning Board and Town Meeting; one member said they would abstain because the Select Board had not yet taken a position.
The committee’s endorsement is a recommendation to the Planning Board and to town meeting voters; final action on the zoning change will occur at Town Meeting and during subsequent planning‑board reviews for any projects seeking site plan or special‑permit relief.
The Planning Department is expected to include the proposed map changes and updated use table language in the Article 31 packet for Town Meeting.
