[Massplanners] Form Based Code-Massachusetts

Fri Jun 2 11:53:53 EDT 2023

Here are more adopted form-based codes in Massachusetts. Dodson & Flinker
collaborated on all of these with Ted Brovitz Community Planning & Design:

   - Downtown and Florence Form-Based Codes – Northampton, MA (2022)
   - Greenbush Masterplan and Form-Based Code - Scituate, MA (2018)
   - Oak Grove Masterplan and Form-Based Code - Medway, MA (2018)
   - Route 1 Corridor Mixed Use Vision Plan & Zoning Bylaw - Norwood, MA,
   (2021)
   - Downtown Mixed-use Zoning Amendments - Norwood, MA (2019)
   - Downtown Plan and Form-Based Code - Danvers, MA (2018)
   - Maple Street Neighborhood Plan and Form-Based Code - Danvers, MA (2017)
   - Portsmouth Gateway Zoning Amendment – Portsmouth, NH (2017)

We are happy to talk about it from a consultant's perspective. I'm at
413-628-4496 x102. Peter Flinker is at 413-628-4496 x103, Ted Brovitz is at
508-737-4432.

Thanks,

Dillon

On Thu, Jun 1, 2023 at 12:00 PM <massplanners-request at masscptc.org> wrote:

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> Today's Topics:
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>    1. Re: Form Based Code-Massachusetts (Maren Toohill)
>    2. Re: Form Based Code-Massachusetts (Darlene Wynne)
>    3. Re: ADU Residency Requirement (janetmcgowan30 at comcast.net)
>    4. Re: ADU Residency Requirement (janetmcgowan30 at comcast.net)
>
>
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: Maren Toohill <MToohill at littletonma.org>
> To: Katharine Lacy <katharinelacy at gmail.com>, Christopher Skelly <
> CSkelly at berkshireplanning.org>, "massplanners at masscptc.org" <
> massplanners at masscptc.org>
> Cc:
> Bcc:
> Date: Wed, 31 May 2023 16:06:08 +0000
> Subject: Re: [Massplanners] Form Based Code-Massachusetts
>
> Littleton has adopted 2 FBC districts, the Village Common mixed-use FBC
> district (June 2020), and the King Street Common mixed-use FBC district
> (October 2021). We didn’t completely let go of the uses that are allowed in
> the FBC districts, but it’s much more about the look, feel, design, and
> streetscape/public realm than the prior zoning. FBC can be a zoning best
> practice in certain cased, but a community must have the staffing/training
> to properly implement; it can offer a “clear path” for developers.
> Communities are saying “if you design to this particular standard, you will
> get the approvals needed to build/redevelop”.
>
> Littleton hopes to use the King Street Common FBC district to help meet
> the MBTA Communities multifamily zoning requirements (with a few tweaks).
>
> Other communities with FBC include Ayer, MA (and Bozeman MT if you need a
> field trip – just kidding!) Hopefully others will chime in, I’m not up to
> date on other communities that have adopted/are working on FBC.
>
> George Proakis, the new Town Manager in Watertown holds a wealth of FBC
> knowledge. Consultants Tim Love and Jessy Yang at Utile helped guide
> Littleton through the FBC development and adoption process – I highly
> recommend their work.
>
> Best of luck with the process,
>
> Maren
>
>
>
> Maren A. Toohill, AICP
>
> Town Planner
>
> 978/540-2425
>
> MToohill at littletonma.org
>
> Town of Littleton
>
>
>
> *From:* MassPlanners [mailto:massplanners-bounces at masscptc.org] *On
> Behalf Of *Katharine Lacy via MassPlanners
> *Sent:* Wednesday, May 31, 2023 10:55 AM
> *To:* Christopher Skelly <CSkelly at berkshireplanning.org>
> *Cc:* Mass Planners <MassPlanners at masscptc.org>
> *Subject:* Re: [Massplanners] Form Based Code-Massachusetts
>
>
>
>
>
> **THIS EMAIL WAS SENT BY AN EXTERNAL SENDER**
>
> Littleton did.  Hopefully Maren will weigh in!
>
>
>
> On Wed, May 31, 2023 at 10:18 AM Christopher Skelly via MassPlanners <
> massplanners at masscptc.org> wrote:
>
> Has anyone else adopted form based code besides Lowell, Pittsfield and
> Somerville?
>
>
>
> Anyone from Lowell or Somerville like to share their thoughts?
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Chris Skelly, Project Specialist
>
> Berkshire Regional Planning Commission
>
> 1 Fenn St., Suite 201 | Pittsfield, MA 01201
>
> c: 413-834-0678
>
> cskelly at berkshireplanning.org
>
> www.berkshireplanning.org
>
>
>
> --
> MassPlanners mailing list
> MassPlanners at masscptc.org
> http://masscptc.org/mailman/listinfo/massplanners_masscptc.org
>
>
>
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: Darlene Wynne <dwynne at beverlyma.gov>
> To: Maren Toohill <MToohill at littletonma.org>
> Cc: Katharine Lacy <katharinelacy at gmail.com>, Christopher Skelly <
> CSkelly at berkshireplanning.org>, "massplanners at masscptc.org" <
> massplanners at masscptc.org>
> Bcc:
> Date: Wed, 31 May 2023 12:21:23 -0400
> Subject: Re: [Massplanners] Form Based Code-Massachusetts
> Beverly has a draft set of Design Standards that operate like a hybrid FBC
> we will be submitting formally this year after working out some tweaks. Tim
> Love / Utile developed the standards for us as well.
>
>
> Darlene Wynne, AICP
>
> *City of Beverly*
>
> *Director of Planning & Development*
>
> *978-605-2341*
>
> *dwynne at beverlyma.gov <dwynne at beverlyma.gov>*
>
>
>
> *--*
>
>
> *When responding, please be aware that the Massachusetts Secretary of
> State has determined that most email is public record and therefore cannot
> be kept confidential. *
>
>
>
> On Wed, May 31, 2023 at 12:08 PM Maren Toohill via MassPlanners <
> massplanners at masscptc.org> wrote:
>
>> Littleton has adopted 2 FBC districts, the Village Common mixed-use FBC
>> district (June 2020), and the King Street Common mixed-use FBC district
>> (October 2021). We didn’t completely let go of the uses that are allowed in
>> the FBC districts, but it’s much more about the look, feel, design, and
>> streetscape/public realm than the prior zoning. FBC can be a zoning best
>> practice in certain cased, but a community must have the staffing/training
>> to properly implement; it can offer a “clear path” for developers.
>> Communities are saying “if you design to this particular standard, you will
>> get the approvals needed to build/redevelop”.
>>
>> Littleton hopes to use the King Street Common FBC district to help meet
>> the MBTA Communities multifamily zoning requirements (with a few tweaks).
>>
>> Other communities with FBC include Ayer, MA (and Bozeman MT if you need a
>> field trip – just kidding!) Hopefully others will chime in, I’m not up to
>> date on other communities that have adopted/are working on FBC.
>>
>> George Proakis, the new Town Manager in Watertown holds a wealth of FBC
>> knowledge. Consultants Tim Love and Jessy Yang at Utile helped guide
>> Littleton through the FBC development and adoption process – I highly
>> recommend their work.
>>
>> Best of luck with the process,
>>
>> Maren
>>
>>
>>
>> Maren A. Toohill, AICP
>>
>> Town Planner
>>
>> 978/540-2425
>>
>> MToohill at littletonma.org
>>
>> Town of Littleton
>>
>>
>>
>> *From:* MassPlanners [mailto:massplanners-bounces at masscptc.org] *On
>> Behalf Of *Katharine Lacy via MassPlanners
>> *Sent:* Wednesday, May 31, 2023 10:55 AM
>> *To:* Christopher Skelly <CSkelly at berkshireplanning.org>
>> *Cc:* Mass Planners <MassPlanners at masscptc.org>
>> *Subject:* Re: [Massplanners] Form Based Code-Massachusetts
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> **THIS EMAIL WAS SENT BY AN EXTERNAL SENDER**
>>
>> Littleton did.  Hopefully Maren will weigh in!
>>
>>
>>
>> On Wed, May 31, 2023 at 10:18 AM Christopher Skelly via MassPlanners <
>> massplanners at masscptc.org> wrote:
>>
>> Has anyone else adopted form based code besides Lowell, Pittsfield and
>> Somerville?
>>
>>
>>
>> Anyone from Lowell or Somerville like to share their thoughts?
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Chris Skelly, Project Specialist
>>
>> Berkshire Regional Planning Commission
>>
>> 1 Fenn St., Suite 201 | Pittsfield, MA 01201
>>
>> c: 413-834-0678
>>
>> cskelly at berkshireplanning.org
>>
>> www.berkshireplanning.org
>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> MassPlanners mailing list
>> MassPlanners at masscptc.org
>> http://masscptc.org/mailman/listinfo/massplanners_masscptc.org
>>
>> --
>> MassPlanners mailing list
>> MassPlanners at masscptc.org
>> http://masscptc.org/mailman/listinfo/massplanners_masscptc.org
>>
>
>
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: "janetmcgowan30 at comcast.net" <janetmcgowan30 at comcast.net>
> To: Town Administration <Administration at westhamptonma.org>
> Cc: "massplanners at masscptc.org" <massplanners at masscptc.org>
> Bcc:
> Date: Wed, 31 May 2023 16:33:36 -0400
> Subject: Re: [Massplanners] ADU Residency Requirement
> I don’t know if it is great, but Amherst recently updated its ADU bylaw
> section.  Look at Section 5.001 starting on page 62.
>
>
> [image: preview.png]
>
> Entire-Zoning-Bylaw---June-27-2022
> <https://www.amherstma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/62518/Entire-Zoning-Bylaw---June-27-2022>
> PDF Document · 4.5 MB
> <https://www.amherstma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/62518/Entire-Zoning-Bylaw---June-27-2022>
>
> <https://www.amherstma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/62518/Entire-Zoning-Bylaw---June-27-2022>
>
>
> On May 31, 2023, at 10:51 AM, Town Administration via MassPlanners <
> massplanners at masscptc.org> wrote:
>
> Good morning -
>
> Looking for a few great examples of zoning-bylaws that require owner
> occupancy prior to permit of an ADU.
>
> Thanks in advance!
>
> Doug
> Westhampton, MA
> --
> MassPlanners mailing list
> MassPlanners at masscptc.org
> http://masscptc.org/mailman/listinfo/massplanners_masscptc.org
>
>
>
>
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: "janetmcgowan30 at comcast.net" <janetmcgowan30 at comcast.net>
> To: Town Administration <Administration at westhamptonma.org>
> Cc: "massplanners at masscptc.org" <massplanners at masscptc.org>
> Bcc:
> Date: Wed, 31 May 2023 16:34:19 -0400
> Subject: Re: [Massplanners] ADU Residency Requirement
> Sorry, the Amherst bylaw on ADUs was sent by me.
>
> Janet McGowan
> Amherst Planning Board member
>
> On May 31, 2023, at 10:51 AM, Town Administration via MassPlanners <
> massplanners at masscptc.org> wrote:
>
> Good morning -
>
> Looking for a few great examples of zoning-bylaws that require owner
> occupancy prior to permit of an ADU.
>
> Thanks in advance!
>
> Doug
> Westhampton, MA
> --
> MassPlanners mailing list
> MassPlanners at masscptc.org
> http://masscptc.org/mailman/listinfo/massplanners_masscptc.org
>
>
> MassPlanners mailing list
> MassPlanners at masscptc.org
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>

-- 
Dillon Sussman

Dodson & Flinker
40 Main Street, Suite 101
Florence, MA 01062
413-628-4496 x 102
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