MARLBOROUGH – After working on several issues, the city is closer to having an MBTA multifamily overlay district.
The City Council’s Urban Affairs Committee will hold a public hearing on the proposal on Monday, Aug. 19. The proposal will also go before the Planning Board.
According to City Councilor Kate Robey, work began on the Multi-Family MBTA Housing Overlay District (MFMHOD) last year. After working with its consultant, RKG Associates, and obtaining feedback from the state’s Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities, the city presented an updated draft to the City Council on Monday, July 22.
The proposed overlay district would be divided into three subdistricts — Royal Crest/ Briarwood, off Hosmer Street; Lincoln/Mechanic, adjacent to downtown; and Simarano, off Boston Post Road West.
Each subdistrict would need to meet requirements for lot size; open space; dwelling units per acre; parking; signage; and number of affordable units.
The purpose of the district is to “encourage the development of multi-family housing while supporting vibrant neighborhoods and proximity to the downtown and other areas of commercial activity,” according to the order submitted to the council. “The goals of the MFMHOD include enhancing land use development and encouraging desired residential growth patterns for the benefit of the public health, safety and welfare, and to allow for the development of higher density housing in close proximity to commercial uses consistent with the stated economic development objectives of the city.”
The units at Royal Crest and Briarwood were built in the 1970s.
Simarano — the Green District — is under construction. Phase 1 was the Burrow, which included 235 units, and Phase 2 — The Lodge — have both been completed; phases 3 and 4 have been approved by the city. The next two phases would add 475 dwelling units and nearly 700 parking spaces to the site.
The site at Lincoln/Mechanic — Alta Marlborough — is also under construction. The site would include 276 dwelling units and 448 parking spaces.
Marlborough has until Dec. 31, 2024, to adopt a multifamily overlay district that will meet the state executive office’s guidelines for MBTA zoning.
