A 40R Smart Growth Overlay District for
the Addison Wesley site
Background:
A “Smart Growth” zoning overlay district allows a higher density of development than zoning allows, in appropriate locations, in exchange for financial incentives from the State to the Town.
National Development, Town of Reading officials and residents have worked over the last several months on residential redevelopment and design ideas for the Addison Wesley site. The most recent information session to update residents on this effort was held on July 24, 2007 at the Reading Senior Center [see link below].
Smart Growth District Proposal:
The apartment component of the Addison Wesley redevelopment proposal is a candidate for a Smart Growth district. The Smart Growth district would allow as-of-right mixed-income residential development at a density of twenty (20) units per acre that complies with smart growth design standards. At least twenty percent (20%) of all residential units in the Gateway Smart Growth Overlay District would be deed-restricted affordable housing. Adoption of a smart growth zoning overlay district would entitle the Town of Reading to receive financial incentives provided for in M.G.L. c.40R Sec. 9 and 760 CMR 59.06 and M.G.L. c.40S.
BOS Public Hearing August 28, 2007:
The Reading Board of Selectmen will hold a public hearing on August 28, 7:00pm at the Selectmen’s Meeting Room, Town Hall to consider submitting an application for the Gateway Smart Growth District, and the associated draft bylaw, for the apartment section of the proposed Addison Wesley Redevelopment plan. The application and draft bylaw would then be reviewed by the Massachusetts Department of Housing & Community Development. During that time, changes and revisions could still be made.
Maps and text of all materials being considered at the public hearing may be viewed during regular business hours at the Office of the Board of Selectmen, the Office of the Town Clerk, and the Reading Public Library.
CPDC Zoning Workshop September 10, 2007: PLEASE NOTE: TIME CHANGED to 9:15 PM
The Community Planning & Development Commission will discuss and take public comments on the application and the draft Smart Growth bylaw at a Zoning Workshop at the Reading Senior Center on September 10 at 9:15 pm. The CPDC is required to hold a public hearing on these and the other proposed Addison Wesley (Business C) Zoning Changes that will follow in subsequent CPDC meetings.
Town Meeting:
The current proposed schedule, as discussed at the July 27 meeting, is to hold a Special Town Meeting in early December, 2007 to consider adopting the proposed Smart Growth District.. Re-zoning to allow for the other components of the Addison Wesley redevelopment plan will also be considered at the December Special Town Meeting.
The link to the July 24th presentation is:
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