By Melanie Petrucci, Contributing Writer
Northborough – Kathy Joubert, Northborough town planner, presented nine articles to the Board of Selectmen at the March 13 meeting, eight pertaining to zoning bylaw changes and one that pertains to the adoption of the Stretch Energy Code.
The discussion followed a presentation and public hearing on the town adopting the Stretch Energy Code, presented by Kelly Brown and Jim Barry, regional coordinators of the Green Communities Program which is through the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources. Adoption of this code will meet one of the five criteria to become a Green Community
The Stretch Energy Code only applies to new residential and commercial building. Town Administrator, John Coderre, explained, “The Stretch Energy Code is becoming no longer a ‘stretch’ but the standard.”
The remaining articles : 1) to prohibit “auto repair shops” in certain zoning districts; 2) to change the number of multifamily units allowed by a special permit in two zoning districts; 3) to direct applicants to common driveway regulations found in the Subdivision Rules and Regulations; and 4) to enact a temporary moratorium on duplex construction and add the review of duplex applications to the site plan approval process.
The last article allows a one-year, temporary moratorium on recreational marijuana establishments in town. Town counsel has suggested that this measure will give Northborough a chance to react to the state’s developing regulations.
Coderre asked if this action would this preclude the town from opting out at some point as Westborough had done. Joubert assured him that the town could still opt out later.
A public hearing was scheduled by the Planning Board to review these articles March 21.