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Committee debates form-based zoning overhaul; members want downtown pilot and legal redraft
Summary
City planner pitched a form-based zoning code intended to spur redevelopment, including a 1,300-unit proposal near the CSX yard. Councilors raised concerns about concentrating power with the planning director and urged mapping the code to downtown first; the committee postponed the ordinance for redrafting.
Elijah Romulus, the city's interim director of planning and economic development, told Brockton's ordinance committee July 21 that a proposed form-based zoning code would modernize the city's downtown rules, encourage mixed-use development and reduce the number of variances and special permits needed for projects.
"Tonight we have an unprecedented opportunity to choose progress, modernization, and economic momentum for the city of Brockton," Romulus said, pointing to potential redevelopment of the CSX rail yard and an estimated 1,300 new apartments and townhouses that proponents say rely on the new code.
Several councilors said they support the idea of modernizing the code but want a narrower, phased approach. Councilor Thompson favored implementing the code as a downtown trial—specifically Trout Brook and downtown parcels—rather than applying it citywide immediately. Other members asked for clearer limits on the planning director's discretion and raised concerns about vesting too much authority in an interim planner who has limited experience with form-based code.
Attorney Resnick advised the committee that simply removing neighborhoods from the ordinance text could leave redundant and confusing language in the city code; he recommended preparing a substitute ordinance if the body intends to limit the ordinance geographically. Several councilors asked the planning department to provide parcel lists and legal language to accomplish a downtown-only mapping.
Because the ordinance as drafted references multiple neighborhoods (Campello, Montello, Lovett Brook) and contains interdependent sections, the committee voted to postpone further action and asked staff to prepare a revised draft that either limits mapping to downtown or otherwise clarifies where the code would apply.
The committee's postponement means the proposal will return for additional drafting and review; proponents said letters of support from developers and local business organizations were on file and that further stakeholder work is planned.
Next steps include staff drafting a substitute ordinance if members want a downtown-only pilot, providing the council the parcel identification for mapped areas, and additional review at a subsequent ordinance committee meeting.
