HAHarvey Walden
3 hours agoSalem to Hold Public Hearing on MBTA Communities Multifamily Zoning
Pursuant to M.G.L. Chapter 40A, sections 5 & 11, the Salem Planning Board will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, May 28, 2024, at 6:30 PM at the City Hall, 93 Washington Street, 3rd floor, and via remote participation using Zoom Webinar, to consider the following zoning amendments to the 1993 Salem Zoning Ordinance:
Amend the Zoning Map by creating a new “MBTA Communities Overlay District” in the following areas:
* North Street / Boston Street: properties located along both sides of North Street from a point approximately 200 feet southeast of its intersection with Nursery Street, to its intersection with Boston Street; properties located along both sides of Boston Street, from its intersection with North Street to a point approximately 500 feet northwest of its intersection with Osgood Street.
* Bridge Street / Sgt. James Ayotte Drive: properties located along both sides of Bridge Street, from a point approximately 350 feet northeast of its intersection with Washington Street, to its intersection with Sgt. James Ayotte Drive; properties located along both sides of Sgt. James Ayotte Drive, from its intersection with Bridge Street to a point approximately 400 feet southeast of its intersection with Fort Avenue.
Amend Article III, District Regulations, by adding a new Section 3.3.9, MBTA Communities Overlay District. This new section will:
* Establish the purpose of the MBTA Communities Overlay District as compliance with Section 3A of the Zoning Act, promotion of multifamily housing, and encouraging transit-oriented development.
* Establish dimensional regulations for the MBTA Communities Overlay District, including minimum gross density of 15 dwelling units per acre, maximum building height of 55 feet, minimum setbacks of 10 feet, and no parking minimums.
* Establish use regulations for the MBTA Communities Overlay District, allowing multifamily housing as of right.
Amend Article V, Use Regulations, Schedule of Use Regulations, by adding reference to Section 3.3.9, MBTA Communities Overlay District, for multifamily housing.
Section 3A of the Zoning Act requires cities and towns served by the MBTA to have at least one zoning district of reasonable size in which multifamily housing is permitted as of right and meets certain other criteria. The proposed zoning amendments are intended to bring the City of Salem into compliance with Section 3A.
A copy of the proposed zoning amendments is available for review at the Planning Department, 98 Washington Street, 3rd floor, Salem, MA, and on the City of Salem website at www.salem.com/planningboard.
Comments may be submitted in writing to the Planning Department, 98 Washington Street, 3rd floor, Salem, MA 01970, or by email to [email protected]. Comments may also be provided during the public hearing.
Jay M. Gill
Chair, Salem Planning Board
