HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning 04/20/2022Planning Board Joint Session with Select Board RECEIVED
Meeting Minutes .:iES OFFICE
April20, 2022 NUZL HAY 2b P 2: 11
SFIELD
MEETING HELD IN PERSON IN MEETING ROOM 3A%>P, j i' 1I!,) S I_ T T S
AND VIRTUALLY USING GOTOWEBINAR PLATFORM
Present: Beth Ashman -Collins, Chair; Diana Bren; Sharon Friedman; Michael Feck; Michael
McClanahan; Brendan Roche (remote), Alternate
Shaun P. Burke, Director of Planning and Development
Absent: Joseph Cerretani, Clerk; Ralph Penney; and Adrian LeCesne, Alternate
The Planning Board attended the Select Board meeting for a discussion of Draft DHCD
Guidelines for MBTA Communities and Compliance.
Mr. Burke introduced the staff and consultants that were in attendance. He stated that the
discussion is for the MBTA Communities Housing Initiative program, which was adopted into
law in 2021 for MBTA communities to create zoning that would allow development of multi-
family housing by right within one half mile of the train station. Mr. Burke noted that the
Planning Board will be asking the Select Board to vote to direct the Town Manager to complete
the one -page participation document which would be filed with the Department of Housing and
Community Development by May 2, 2022. This will give Mansfield conditional conformance to
the MBTA regulations and will allow planning time for conformance of the overlay zone by the
2023 deadline. The overlay zone will vary in density and locations.
Chris McDermott, Economic Development Manager, provided background information for
BETA Group relating to previous projects that they have worked with the Town.
Arek Galle and Bill McGrath of BETA Group were present. Mr. Galle apprised the Board of
BETA Group's recent two years of work with the Town of Mansfield and outlined the current
MBTA initiative economic development program. The goal is to create a district of by right
housing, which will allow the Town to be eligible for grants and funding opportunities. He
further outlined the steps for the initiative process and noted that if communities opt out, they
would become ineligible for certain State grant funding. The density required for the Mansfield
overlay district would be minimum gross housing density of 15 units per acre and the established
district's housing unit capacity established at 15 percent of the overall housing stock, which
equates to about 1,300 units within one half mile of the train station with a minimum of 50 acres
of land.
Planning Board joint session at Select Board meeting 4/20/22 Page 1 of 2
Mr. Aptowitz inquired if the overlay would be 50 acres total. Mr. Galle responded that the 50
acres would be an approximate overlay district around the train station, not size specific, but a
footprint that zoning would be applied to. Mr. Aptowitz inquired as to the Town's cost.
Ms. Ashman -Collins replied that the Town is very well positioned to comply but there are some
details to work out. The Master Plan sets the Town up very well for this. She further noted that
there would be no reason to exclude Mansfield for eligibility for State grants. She said that
getting the boundary right to allow building by right ability to areas that are not yet developed
and not allowing and subjecting single-family historic neighborhoods to tear downs and
development at a higher density is very important.
Mr. DelVecchio asked about recent COVID impact and fewer commuters, would transit oriented
development become less desirable. Mr. Galle spoke of recent market observations in other
communities with no decrease in downtown desirability for walkability and housing. Mr.
DelVecchio confirmed that the Town has a year and a half to refine and have community input.
Mr. Galle also noted compliance thresholds during the process which could allow for
communities to opt out if they decide it is not a good fit. The decision for Mansfield is to
confirm interest with submission by the May 2nd deadline.
Mr. Rhein confirmed that the final decisions would be voted at Town Meeting. Mr. Dumas
reiterated that if the Town decides to not move forward with the MBTA initiative, the Town
would lose ability to apply for grant funding which would include MassWorks, which is one of
the largest grants opportunity that the Town has had, the One Stop Grant for infrastructure
programs, and Housing Choice initiative programs. hi recent years these grants have provided
three to four million dollars to the Town.
Mr. Rhein asked about the MBTA suggested area map. Mr. Galle noted that the MBTA map is
only a suggested 50-acre area and presented three conceptual draft maps with a most recent
fourth draft hybrid overlay map with an approximate 100-acre footprint which does cross
underlying zones. This could create sub -districts to allow greater density in some areas.
There were no public comments.
Motion by the Select Board: To authorize the Town Manager to complete and submit the one -
page form to DHCD stating Mansfield's intent to participate in the MBTA Communities
Housing Initiative. (Mr. DelVecchio-Aptowitz) 3-0-0 PASSES
The Planning Board session ended at 6:28 p.m.
Date of Next Planning Board Meeting: May 11, 2022 at 7:00 p.m.
Signature of Clerk Date of Approval
Planning Board joint session at Select Board meeting 4/20/22 Page 2 of 2