Shrewsbury’s MBTA zoning timeline tightens after error

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Shrewsbury’s MBTA zoning timeline tightens after error
An early look at Shrewsbury’s proposed MBTA zoning district. (Photo/Shrewsbury Media Connection)

SHREWSBURY – An error cut several weeks off the town’s MBTA zoning timeline, hastening the public comment process as Shrewsbury approaches a vote on the matter at Town Meeting on Nov. 18.

Town Manager Kevin Mizikar described the “error” during the Sept. 10 Select Board meeting.

On June 5, Shrewsbury sent its MBTA zoning plan to the state for pre-approval feedback. The state was expected to provide comments on the plan within 90 days. On July 19, the state requested Shrewsbury submit revised GIS mapping files for where the town was planning to place MBTA zoning. Those files weren’t delivered to the state until roughly Aug. 24, Mizikar said.

“I certainly will take full responsibility for this error,” Mizikar said. “Given the importance of this matter, I could’ve communicated much more closely with the state during the pre-adoption review period. I’ve already contacted the [state], and will stay directly involved during [its] review period.”

After the state determined that Shrewsbury’s first MBTA zoning plan – which included Olde Shrewsbury Village – did not pass the two-step test to allow mandatory mixed-use, the town shifted its plan, moving the proposal westward on Route 20, and asked Town Meeting to evaluate the proposal in November instead of May.

Shrewsbury likely won’t receive feedback from the state on its plan until Oct. 15, Mizikar said, creating a tight timeline between then and Town Meeting on Nov. 18. Still, Mizikar confirmed MBTA zoning will remain on the warrant.

He also announced three new Planning Board meetings where the public can participate — Oct. 17, Oct. 24 and Oct. 30.

The Select Board praised Mizikar for acting quickly to solve the problem and keeping the timeframe for Town Meeting intact.

“When an issue comes up, the first point is, ‘How do we fix it?’ That’s the most important thing. You’ve worked very quickly to not impact the ultimate date … It does not impact what we were looking to do in November, and that was important,” said Select Board Chair John Samia.

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