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Bakersfield faces decision on opting into Act 2‑50 exemptions for village area
Summary
Planner explained Tier 1b exemptions under Act 2‑50 that would let mapped village centers and village areas exempt housing projects up to 50 units from Act 2‑50 review; the select board must later adopt a resolution to opt in and the commission can offer map feedback now.
At the meeting the regional planner outlined the opt‑in pathway for towns under Act 1‑81 and Act 2‑50 reform: if the town chooses to opt into Tier 1b, mapped village centers and surrounding village areas would be exempt from Act 2‑50 review for housing projects up to 50 units. The planning commission is an advisory reviewer of the draft parcel‑snapped map; the select board would later be the body to pass a resolution opting the town into the exemption.
"So if Bakersfield wants to, they can opt in to keep, the exemption of up to 50 units not requiring act 2 50," planner Luke Slomba explained, describing the opt‑in as a select‑board decision. He said the intent is that these mapped areas would generally follow parcel boundaries so property owners can see whether their lots are included. Commissioners pushed for higher‑resolution maps and clearer parcel snapping to avoid ambiguity for property owners.
Commissioners and attendees raised questions about whether 50‑unit projects are realistic in Bakersfield and whether local zoning should remain stricter in some village areas. The planner said the exemption is intended to apply where local zoning and infrastructure make such development appropriate and that municipal bylaws remain the local regulatory tool.
Provenance: topicintro SEG 1140, topfinish SEG 1311.
