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Topsfield touts new pocket park, planning bylaws and RFP for old highway garage
Summary
The Town Administrator highlighted downtown investment including the Topsfield Village Pocket Park (federally funded, 50-year town use), recent planning bylaws to support multifamily and dining, and an RFP for the old highway garage with bids due mid-February.
In the State of the Town address, the Town Administrator highlighted downtown improvements and planning changes intended to spur economic activity. The Topsfield Village Plaza ("Pocket Park") was completed this past year via a federal grant and private donations and will be available for town programming under a 50-year exclusive-use arrangement.
He described planning-board bylaw changes recently adopted or under consideration, including MBTA multifamily housing provisions, modifications to multifamily on Route 1, restaurants by right in the downtown business-village district and allowances for brewpubs; the Planning Board is also preparing ADU and dark-sky bylaws and a historic property redevelopment bylaw recommended in the master plan. A public information session on the zoning changes is scheduled for Feb. 5 at the Topsfield Library.
The town also released a request for proposals for the old highway garage at 10th School Ave, hoping for a developer to convert the space to a use such as a restaurant or tasting room to activate the site; bids are due in mid-February.
Why this matters: The combination of regulatory changes, an updated master plan and targeted public-private projects is intended to support small businesses, increase downtown activity and create places for events and markets. Public information sessions and the RFP timeline give residents opportunities to weigh in before final approvals.
Next steps: Planning-board public session on Feb. 5 and RFP responses expected mid-February; officials will continue to prioritize downtown programming and business outreach.
