The Bedford Planning Board on March 22 continued its discussion of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority community multi-family housing guidelines. Editor’s Note: Further discussion of the MBTA guideline is scheduled for the April 12 Planning Board meeting, prior to their planned April 25 presentation to the Select Board.
Bedford has been designated an MBTA bus community, and per the guidelines, “multi-family districts must comprise at least 50 acres of land with a minimum gross density of 15 units per acre, subject to any further limitations imposed by relevant aspects of the state environmental code.”
The current Great Road Districts and Depot Area Overlay District are already zoned to allow multi-family units by right, although in some cases by special permit.
The board acknowledged that the guidelines are based on, and adding to, an actual mandate, and members expressed some dissatisfaction with the process. Member Chris Gittins described the guidelines as “deeply flawed.”
The board was in unanimous agreement that the guidelines are designed with a “one-size-fits-all” approach that does not take the unique differences among communities into account.
Members also discussed the ways in which the broad approach of these guidelines fails to address the needs of communities or the concerns of residents.
The Planning Department aims to complete the MBTA community information form, an interim compliance requirement, by the May 2 deadline, in order to ensure that Bedford remains eligible for a variety of state housing and capital grants. The Planning Board will review the Town’s response to the guidelines with the Select Board at an April meeting.
Planning Director Tony Fields presented a draft slide show outlining the terms of the mandate and the requirements that Bedford will need to meet in order to be within full compliance.
The Board also highlighted the fact that the Depot Crossing at 54 Loomis St. and the project now under construction at the site of the former Papa Gino’s would both meet the state’s density criterion, at least at the individual site level.
Members also discussed the fact that the Massachusetts Municipal Lawyers Association will file comments on behalf of towns that have expressed dissatisfaction with the guidelines and the possible repercussions upon their communities.
The Planning Board elected Steven Hagan chair for 2022-23 and welcomed Todd Crowley as a newly-elected member. Amy Lloyd was re-elected.
The board also endorsed the town meeting articles for acquisition of easements leading to construction of the Minuteman Bikeway Extension, noting that the majority of the costs will be paid by the state.
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