Planning Board prepares to review draft Master Plan

Southborough - Sometime this month, possibly at its meeting Monday May 5, the Planning Board will begin the process of adopting the draft Master Plan, created by the Master Plan Steering Committee.

It was reviewed in a public hearing last month and has been tweaked based on suggestions made during that hearing. The last Master Plan created in Southborough was done so in 1987 and updated in 1994.

The purpose of a Master Plan for a town is to document, predict, define, and suggest changes to any and all facets of the community. Areas that are reviewed include overall land use and how any zoning changes made to specific areas will aff ect those areas.

In addition, a Master Plan looks at goals for economic development, housing, transportation, municipal services off ered, alterations in population, and the evolution of various resources - both natural and cultural - including open space.

Among the recommended changes to housing suggested by the community is for more multi-family housing and variations in both type and cost. Currently, most homes in Southborough are singlefamily houses. Another suggestion was to build smaller, more affordable units that would attract younger buyers and seniors. The clustering of dwellings was also recommended as a way of maintaining open space.

With regard to lane use and zoning changes, the committee suggests the new Master Plan update the Zoning Bylaw and Subdivision Rules and Regulations. Created in 1955, the Zoning Bylaw has been tweaked and amended over the 53 years but never overhauled.

The Master Plan Steering Committee also recommended that the town be informed of the location of open space, as well as natural resources and the need to conserve those natural resources. One way to achieve the desired conservation is to create more walking and biking paths and to expand open spaces and access to those open spaces.

About 25 percent of Southborough is the Sudbury Reservoir and residents have made it clear to town officials that they would like more access to the water. One avenue being investigated is the expansion of the Bay Circuit Trail as it approaches the Sudbury Dam.

The creation of new business and an expansion of commercial development along Route 9 are the key components of the economic development part of the Master Plan.

Included in that is a desire for more retail stores and restaurants to cater to the more than 6,000 people who work within the town. The need for more ways to increase retail revenue was a goal highlighted by the Master Plan Steering Committee.

Also addressed in the Master Plan is a section examining Southborough's four villages - Cordaville, Fayville, Southville and downtown. The plan suggests that business be created and housing be developed within all four villages, but that it be done so with an eye toward maintaining the historic charm of the villages.