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<p class="MsoNormal">Hi Rachel and all<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Here is what I have for a list of OSRD/NRPZ by-right communities. I’m sure it is incomplete, and if anyone knows of others please share with me so I can add to the list.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I agree with Jeff’s points about cluster vs. NRPZ although the state in their model uses the terms somewhat interchangeably. The key point here is by-right rather than special permit. Lots of communities have adopted some form of OSRD,
Cluster, Conservation Subdivision, etc. with requirements for a Special Permit. Often those bylaws are not used much, since the certainty of the by-right subdivision approach is understandably preferred from a business perspective.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I’ve heard more times than I can count about community reluctance to adopt OSRD or NRPZ by-right. Once people understand that if they want development to preserve some useful open space and not consume every available square foot of upland,
they need to make that the by-right permitting path, that has tended to help get the votes needed for adoption. I acknowledge it is never easy to change zoning at Town Meeting though.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Hope this is helpful. Good luck!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Heidi<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><b>E. Heidi Ricci </b>(she/her(s))<b><br>
</b>Director of Policy<i> </i>and Advocacy<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><i><br>
</i><b>Mass Audubon</b> <br>
208 S. Great Road, Lincoln, MA 01773 <br>
<a href="mailto:hricci@massaudubon.org"><span style="color:blue">hricci@massaudubon.org</span></a>
<span style="background:#FAF9F8">|</span> 781-259-2172 or 721-622-8911 (cell)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><a href="http://www.massaudubon.org"><span style="color:blue">massaudubon.org</span></a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Gill Sans MT",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Gill Sans MT",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b>From:</b> MassPlanners <massplanners-bounces@masscptc.org>
<b>On Behalf Of </b>ruralplanningassociates--- via MassPlanners<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, October 26, 2022 11:29 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> 'Benson, Rachel' <RBenson@wrentham.gov>; massplanners@masscptc.org<br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [Massplanners] Open Space / Natural Resource Protection bylaws, Ma Smart Growth<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt">Hi, Rachel:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt">The state model is kind of bifurcated into two approaches – Open Space Residential Design (OSRD: a form of cluster zoning), and Natural Resource Protection Zoning (NRPZ: it’s own zoning indexed to subdivisions).
I have attached a description of NRPZ, which I favor.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt">OSRD is often adopted as an option for developers to consider. If you make it by special permit, experience shows it may not be selected very often. NRPZ
<b>IS</b> the zoning that applies to residential subdivision, and is offered by-right. But deviations, including conventional subdivision, may be sought only via special permit. This flips the old model where conventional remain by-right and cluster is more
tediously permitted by special permit.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt">I have found good acceptance of NRPZ once it’s adequately explained to boards, landowners, and residents.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt">Happy to elaborate if you contact me.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt">Best regards,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt">Jeff Lacy<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt">Rural Planning Associates<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt">(413) 230-9693<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:16.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt">From:</span></b><span style="font-size:14.0pt"> MassPlanners <<a href="mailto:massplanners-bounces@masscptc.org">massplanners-bounces@masscptc.org</a>>
<b>On Behalf Of </b>Benson, Rachel via MassPlanners<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, October 26, 2022 8:45 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> <a href="mailto:massplanners@masscptc.org">massplanners@masscptc.org</a><br>
<b>Subject:</b> [Massplanners] Open Space / Natural Resource Protection bylaws, Ma Smart Growth<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Hi All,
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">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.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">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?
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">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.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">I’ve found the resources/meetings that Harvard did with Randall Arendt very helpful.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Any notes, ideas and experiences you can share would be greatly appreciated. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">Thank you and have a great day!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black">Rachel Benson</span></b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Director of Planning & Economic Development<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Planning & Community Development<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Town of Wrentham<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">79 South Street<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Wrentham, MA 02093<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">508-384-5400 x5441<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif"><a href="https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wrentham.gov%2F&data=05%7C01%7Chricci%40massaudubon.org%7Cae7196554a7b474da52008dab7671927%7Ce0acbd14d69d4eaa8f027ecff288232f%7C0%7C0%7C638023950816887115%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=5ijswxc4IgqORel1yTSX%2B%2BuotkISrLtfzOglM0wCAic%3D&reserved=0">www.wrentham.gov</a><span style="color:#0070C0">
<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt">EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2022 Town Hall hours: Mon, Wed, Thur: 8a-4:30p, Tues: 8a-7:30p, Fri: Closed<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#0070C0"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">Please be advised that the Massachusetts Secretary of State considers e-mail to be a public record, and therefore subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law, M.G.L. c.
66 § 10.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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