Welcome to the website for the town of Reading, Massachusetts

Home    Residents    Businesses

About Reading
Boards and Committees
Community Links
Departments
Licenses and Permits
Library
Municipal Light Department
Recreation
Schools
Town Calendars
Send Us Comments
Subscribe to News
Home Page


Link to Common Cause Award Information

Proposed Downtown Smart Growth Overlay
Oaktrees November 2009 Rendering Web0.jpgMF Charles Building Concept.jpg
Concept Plan, former Atlantic site                                             Concept Plan, MF Charles Building

The Downtown Smart Growth District By-Law was adopted by Town Meeting at the Special Town Meeting on November 30th, 2009

November 30th Town Meeting Handouts:

Downtown Smart Growth Overlay District (40R)
November 2nd Public Hearing for Special Town Meeting on November 30th
Public hearing legal notice
Zoning Comparison Table Handout

Downtown Smart Growth Design Guidelines

Downtown Smart Growth Overlay By-Law

July 13, 2009 Public Hearing for Smart Growth Application Submittal:
July 13 Downtown Smart Growth District Public Hearing Presentation


Monday March 9, 2009 Public Meeting Information:
Meeting Agenda
Meeting Handouts
Public Presentation
Parking Recommendation Presentation
Parking Study Summary
Meeting Minutes
Public Questions and Answers

Boundary Map 40R Smart Growth District 36x24.jpg
Background:
A Smart Growth zoning overlay district allows for a higher density of development than current zoning allows to accomodate mixed use, housing and commercial (click for the smart growth toolkit).  The Reading 2005 Master Plan set goals to improve the downtown, increase affordable housing units, promote diversity in housing types, and encourage development adjacent to the train depot as major goals. The 2008 World Cafe further emphasized the community's interest in developing the downtown into an active town center. The Town has hired a consultant to work with the CPDC to present a zoning change and design standards for a 40R Smart Growth Overlay district.



Town of Reading, Massachusetts  
16 Lowell Street, Reading, MA 01867