After referendum, Shrewsbury keeps MBTA zoning

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A look at Shrewsbury’s proposed MBTA zoning district. (Photo/Shrewsbury Media Connection)

A look at Shrewsbury’s proposed MBTA zoning district. (Photo/Shrewsbury Media Connection)

SHREWSBURY – Shrewsbury’s MBTA zone is here to stay.

On Feb. 4, Shrewsbury voters participated in the town’s second-ever referendum. The vote, which was held after 1,700 people signed a petition calling for it, asked whether the town will stick with the MBTA zoning plan approved by Town Meeting in November.

The “NO” campaign – which asked to overturn Town Meeting’s decision – won the popular vote, 2,222 to 1,398 (61% to 39%). However, Shrewsbury referendum law dictates that 20% of registered Shrewsbury voters must vote “NO” to overturn a Town Meeting decision. That threshold was not reached, and thus Town Meeting’s pro-MBTA decision was upheld.

The “magic number” for 20% was 5,274 votes. “NO” was 3,052 short.

Approximately 13.7% of the town participated in the election. Due to another quirk in Shrewsbury’s bylaws, polls were only open from 2 to 8 p.m., though voters cast their ballots at their normal polling locations.

Shrewsbury’s MBTA zone is a contiguous, 118-acre area located in the southeast corner of town that contains three main parcels: Shrewsbury Commons, 409 South Street, and Emerald Run. The zone also includes several minor surrounding areas.

As an “adjacent community” according to the MBTA Communities Act, Shrewsbury must zone to permit 1,497 housing units, equal to 10% of the town’s current housing stock. Shrewsbury only needs to zone for the units — it does not need to build them.

Learn more here:

–> Referendum Basics

–> Start of the Referendum

–> Town Meeting Debate

–> Town Website (MBTA Zoning)

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