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Planning board votes to pass over expansion of design‑review to business districts, calls for further coordination
Summary
The board voted 3–2 to pass over Article 9, which would have expanded design‑review requirements into business districts, citing the need to revise DRB guidance, define clear acceptance criteria for different uses, and secure broader support before sending a warrant article to Town Meeting.
Boxborough’s Planning Board voted on May 11 to pass over Article 9, a proposed expansion of the town’s design‑review requirements into business and business‑1 districts, after members and staff raised questions about whether the DRB’s current design guide — written for the Town Center — fits non‑center commercial and industrial uses.
Rich Gazardi, who brought the article forward, recommended postponement after members of the Finance Committee raised concerns that the proposal would add process steps for businesses without clear benefits. Board discussion emphasized three recurring issues: the DRB guide’s Town‑Center architectural focus, the lack of clear, use‑specific acceptance criteria for commercial/industrial projects, and the staff and DRB time required to rewrite the guide. Several board members said they support having design standards, but want the DRB and planning board to coordinate on guidance tailored to different use types before asking voters to act.
A motion by Gazardi to pass over the article at annual town meeting carried 3–2 (Dowy, Gazardi, White in favor; Markitz and Verer opposed). The board directed staff to pursue more outreach, consider a joint meeting with the Design Review Board to scope possible revisions, and to return with a clearer, use‑specific framework for any future warrant article.
Planning staff cautioned that writing a new, broader design guide would be a substantial undertaking and may require consulting resources. The board discussed using the upcoming summer months for education and targeted outreach before committing town resources to a full rewrite.
