MARLBOROUGH – The city has located three potential areas where multifamily housing could be built in accordance with the MBTA’s requirements for a housing overlay district.
Under an economic development bond bill signed into law by former Gov. Charlie Baker in 2021, communities within the MBTA must set aside property to allow multifamily housing “as of right.” The guidelines were finalized in 2022; Marlborough must submit a district compliance application to the state’s Department of Housing & Community Development by Dec, 31, 2024.
The MBTA regards the city as an adjacent community. Marlborough has no direct MBTA service; there is a shuttle bus service to and from the commuter rail station in Southborough.
In a letter sent to the City Council on June 1, Mayor Arthur Vigeant said that Solicitor Jason Grossfield worked with the city’s consultant, RKG Associates, and the Marlborough Economic Development Corp. to identify potential areas for a Multi-Family MBTA Housing Overlay District and come up with draft amendments to the city’s Chapter 650 zoning ordinances.
The city areas, or sub-districts, that could satisfy the MBTA’s zoning for multifamily housing include Royal Crest/Briarwood; Lincoln/Mechanic; and Simarano.
Under the rules for the housing overlay district, the city must comply with minimum requirements for unit capacity of 1,755 units, land area of 50 acres total and density of 15 units per acre.
The proposed districts, according to the report, would meet those requirements. Royal Crest/Briarwood comprises 58.92 acres; Lincoln/Mechanic is 5.62 acres; and Simarano is 43.02 acres, for a total of 107.6 acres.
The potential total unit capacity would be 1,784 units – mostly at Royal Crest/Briarwood and Simarano – with an average density of 18 units per acre.
The report is based on buildings four stories in height, with one parking space per bedroom.
The proposed zoning amendments have been sent to the City Council’s Urban Affairs Committee.
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