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Subcommittee recommends approval of two rezoning petitions to match current land use
Summary
The Economic Development Subcommittee unanimously recommended that the full council approve two rezoning petitions: (1) ~13 parcels from manufacturing (MG2) to business (BG3) to enable mixed‑use redevelopment, and (2) three Milton Street parcels from manufacturing (MG2) to residential (RG5) to legalize existing homes. Planning staff said the planning board backed both recommendations.
Attorney Todd Rodman presented two zoning petitions and told the committee each petition would align legacy manufacturing districts with existing and expected uses.
On item 3a, Rodman said the Brookfield Street corridor includes about 13 acres currently zoned MG2 (manufacturing); the petition would reclassify those parcels to BG3 (business) to allow retail, personal services and residential above ground‑floor commercial uses. Michelle Smith said the Planning Board unanimously supported the change and noted the business district would impose a 100‑foot height limit and higher allowable floor‑area ratio than the current manufacturing designation.
On item 3b, Rodman described a smaller Milton Street area to be rezoned from MG2 to RG5, noting the change would legalize existing residential uses and make certain business uses privileged nonconforming. Smith told the committee one property owner raised concerns about losing the ability to operate a business from a house, and staff proposed documenting existing conditions to protect longstanding uses where appropriate.
In both cases the chair moved to recommend approval to the full council; the committee took roll calls and the recommendations were unanimous.
Next steps are full council consideration and any ordinance drafting or map updates the council directs.
