[Massplanners] Open Space / Natural Resource Protection bylaws, Ma Smart Growth

Thu Oct 27 08:17:34 EDT 2022

Hello,

In Attleboro, several years ago, the City of Attleboro deleted Planned Unit
Residential Development (PURD) and Open Space Residential Development
(OSRD), both by special permit, from the Zoning Ordinance. We hired Horsley
Witten Group, Inc. who worked us on a number of zoning amendments, including
new versions of OSRD. We ultimately adopted three new versions:

1.	OSRD – by-right
2.	OSRD Affordable Housing – by special permit with a density bonus
3.	OSRD Green – by special permit with a density bonus

Biggest hurdles included: getting people to understand the thought-process
and how to calculate the “yield plan”, getting people to embrace a minimum
50% open space set-aside, getting people to embrace the concept of a
“density bonus” (some felt it counter-intuitive). Ultimately, all three
versions with some very minor tweaks were adopted.

Immense respect for Randall Arendt; his publications/philosophy were central
to crafting our OSRD versions and for advocating/promoting design by nature
(an indirect reference to fans, as myself, of Ian McHarg).

I’d be happy to speak with you at greater length

Thanks,

Gary

_____________________________________

Gary G. Ayrassian, Director

Department of Planning & Development 

City of Attleboro | City Hall - Government Center | 

77 Park Street | Attleboro, MA  02703 |

p: 508.223.2222 x 3143 | f: 508.222.3046 |

 <mailto:cityplanner at cityofattleboro.us> cityplanner at cityofattleboro.us |

 <http://www.cityofattleboro.us/> www.cityofattleboro.us |

From: MassPlanners <massplanners-bounces at masscptc.org> On Behalf Of Benson,
Rachel via MassPlanners (massplanners at masscptc.org)
Sent: Wednesday, October 26, 2022 8:45 AM
To: massplanners at masscptc.org
Subject: [Massplanners] Open Space / Natural Resource Protection bylaws, Ma
Smart Growth

Hi All, 

We are in the final stages of updating our Open Space Bylaw using the
State’s Smart Growth model Open Space Design bylaw and I wanted to get a
sense of what communities have adopted this or a similar Open Space bylaw
where the use is by-right, putting it on the same playing field as
conventional subdivisions. 

What was your biggest hurdle in adopting the bylaw? And now that you’ve
adopted it what has your experience been with projects using the bylaw? 

We’ve been working on this update since 2019 and there has been some last
minute “cold feet”/”nay-sayers” claiming that its being rushed and we need
to study and get it right. I’m attributing this to the fact that we are
changing our existing bylaw from Special Permit to By Right so there is a
perceived loss of control by board members/residents. We all also know that
no bylaw is perfect the first time around. You do your best with what
resources/information you have and go from there, making sure to give the
bylaw enough flexibility so you can work around those “hiccups” when they
come up.

I’ve found the resources/meetings that Harvard did with Randall Arendt very
helpful. 

Any notes, ideas and experiences you can share would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you and have a great day!

Rachel Benson

Director of Planning & Economic Development

Planning & Community Development

Town of Wrentham

79 South Street

Wrentham, MA  02093

508-384-5400 x5441

www.wrentham.gov <http://www.wrentham.gov>  

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