Page 66 - Middleborough 2024 Town Report

REPORT OF THE
PLANNING BOARD
and DEPARTMENT OF
PLANNING & COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT
• Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)__________________
On August 6, 2024, the Governor signed into law “An Act
relative to the Afordable Homes Act” which allows for
Accessory Dwelling Units up to 900s.f. “as of right”. The
Planning Board put forth a Zoning Bylaw Amendment to
2024 Special Town Meeting amending the ADU definition
and allowing for the Planning Board to implement Site
Plan Review. This Article passed at Special Town Meeting.
This Act goes into efect on February 2, 2025. The
department, Planning Board and department heads have
drated regulations that will take efect on this date.
• Downtown and Greater Middleborough Video Project
In July of 2024, the department contracted with Deeper
Impact Productions for production of merchant videos
and shorter reels to bring awareness to Downtown
Middleborough and Greater Middleborough. These
videos are highlighted on our town’s website, social media
and can be seen on many of the individual business’s
websites and socials. Thank you to all the businesses who
took part in this and for Middleborough’s own Mountain
Weekend for the cool music which accompanied the
Greater Middleborough video.
• 40R Projects______________________________________
The department and Planning Board received and
approved two (2) applications for the following 40R
projects: The Residences at Pilgrim Junction (108 units)
and The Residences at Glass Square (40 units).
• Updated Priority Development and Priority Protection
Area Maps________________________________________
In May of 2024 the Planning Board approved these
updated maps. Ms. Bradley and Conservation Agent,
Patricia Cassady, worked with SRPEDD on the revision of
the maps. The maps simply depict where the town is
considering economic development growth and areas of
town we would like to conserve as open space.
• Site Plan Review Bylaw ____________________________
The Planning Board’s subcommittee, Tracie Craig-McGee
and Anders Martenson IV, worked diligently throughout
the year on drating this bylaw which will be brought to
2025 Annual Town Meeting.
• The department is currently fully stafed! We welcomed
Economic Development Coordinator, Gina Colon in
September and Michelle Pinnetti-Williams in November.
• Remembrance Trees on the Lawn
_________________
Our inaugural year of these special trees was certainly
something to be remembered. The testimonies from
the tree families were heartwarming and touching. We
ofered 30 trees to the community at a donation of $75
per tree. The trees were graciously donated by Edward
Medeiros/Williams Trading Post. A special thank you to
the Town Manager, DPW, Facilities, Tom White, Hemal
Patel and Joe Mandile. We look forward to ofering
additional trees in 2025 and hearing more about your
cherished memories.
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