Q. What is the Age-Restricted Adult Village Bylaw?
A. The Town’s Age-Restricted Adult Village bylaw allows for development, restricted to people aged 55 and above and handicapped persons, at a higher density than is typically allowed in the Town’s various zoning districts. Town Meeting voters adopted the bylaw in order to provide greater housing options for the aging community. Census data indicates that in Marshfield, as elsewhere across the state, the average age of residents is increasing as the ‘baby boomer’ generation ages and people are living longer. The bylaw requires that 10% of all units within these developments must be affordable under M.G.L. Ch. 40B.
Q. What is the purpose of the Open Space Residential Development (OSRD) Bylaw?
A. The OSRD bylaw is intended to promote residential development that preserves open space and is respectful of the land’s existing topography and natural features. Although the overall density of an OSRD is identical to that allowed by the underlying zoning (i.e. 1-acre lots, half-acre lots etc.), the houses are ‘clustered’ on the portion of the site that is most suitable for development. This allows for the preservation, in perpetuity, of the remaining land on the parcel as open space.
Q. What is the Water Resources Protection District (WRPD)?
A. The WRPD is a zoning overlay district that includes all of the Town’s wells and aquifer recharge areas, and is intended to ensure that the drinking water of the Town is protected from harmful contaminants. Land included in the overlay district includes all land defined as a “Zone II” contribution zone to any of the Town’s wells. Any new development applications within the WRPD must receive a Special Permit under the WRPD bylaw, and must comply with strict requirements to ensure protection of the Town’s water supply.
Q. What is the role of the Planning Board regarding applications for development under M.G.L. Ch. 40B?
A. Although the Planning Board is not the permit granting authority for non-residential development or for comprehensive permit applications filed under M.G.L. Ch. 40B, the Planning Board has actively participated in the public review process for all developments proposed or permitted in the past several years. The Board reviewed and submitted comments to the Zoning Board of Appeals on Comprehensive Permits filed under M.G.L. Ch. 40B, including Metuxet Woods, off Ferry Street; Beacon Properties, on Ocean Street; and Webster Point, off Careswell Street.
Q. In addition to their role as a permit-granting authority, what other functions does the Planning Board perform?
The Planning Board continues to act in an advisory capacity to other Town boards and committees and has Board members serving as representatives of the Planning Board on the following other committees: South Shore Coalition, Community Preservation Committee, Open Space Committee, Housing Partnership, Downtown Task Force, and the Windmill Committee. In addition, the Board and the Town Planner interact with the Town’s business community through the Chamber of Commerce and other community organizations.
Citizens with suggestions for additional questions that should be included here are welcome to email their recommendations to the Town Planner. Individual questions will be responded to individually, and questions of general interest will be included on this site.
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