MBTA Communities Act Zoning Compliance

The Planning Board held a Public Hearing on Proposed Amendments to the Zoning Bylaws and Zoning Map – MBTA Communities on October 28, 2024, then continued the hearing to November 4. They met again on November 13 when they made a recommendation to Town Meeting. These are amendments relating to the establishment of the MBTA Communities multi-family overlay district, as required by Section 3A of MGL c. 40A.

• Documents for the Planning Board Public Hearing: MBTA Communities – Special Town Meeting
• Documents for Special Town Meeting: Article 8: MBTA Communities Zoning Bylaw

What Options were Considered for Hopkinton?

❌ Option 1

Upper Cedar Street / Downtown

❌

This plan was approved by the state, and presented at the May 2024 Town Meeting, but failed with a vote of:
Yes 118
No 126
(A simple majority was required)

The Planning Board voted NOT to recommend this plan for Special Town Meeting on 11/18/24, so it cannot be voted on at Town Meeting.

Details about the Upper Cedar Street & Downtown District.

❌ Option 2

Indian Brook / Downtown Expanded

❌

The Planning Board did NOT vote to present this plan at Special Town Meeting on 11/18/24, but voters may still bring it up for discussion at Town Meeting.

Details about the Indian Brook & Downtown Expanded District

❌ Option 3

Walcott Valley / Downtown Expanded / Upper Cedar Street Modified

❌

The Planning Board did NOT vote to present this plan at Special Town Meeting on 11/18/24, but voters may still bring it up for discussion at Town Meeting.

Details about the Walcott Valley, Downtown Expanded & Upper Cedar Street Modified District

✅ Option 4

The Preserve / Downtown / Walcott Valley

✅

The plan was approved by the voters at Special Town Meeting on 11/18/24 with a vote of:
Yes 236
No 167
(A simple majority was required)

The Planning Board voted to RECOMMEND this plan for Special Town Meeting on 11/18/24.

Details about the Preserve, Walcott Valley and Downtown District

When Will Hopkinton Vote on the MBTA Communities Zoning Act?

Special Town Meeting

Monday, November 18, 2024 at 7:00 PM
Hopkinton Middle School
Read the Town Meeting Warrant for 11/28/24.
All registered voters may participate, but you must be present in person to vote.

eHop Special Interview about MBTA Communities Zoning with Principal Planner, John Gelcich

MBTA Communities Law Q&A on mass.gov

Q (13): Does passage of an MBTA compliant zone require changes to existing properties?
A: No. The passage of a zoning district to comply with the MBTA Communities Law does not require existing property owners to alter their properties or to change otherwise lawful restrictions in leases or home owner association contracts. It merely allows that multifamily housing can be developed as of right should a property owner choose to develop it.

Learn more about the Multi-Family Zoning Requirement for MBTA Communities on mass.gov.

View the MBTA Communities Compliance Tracker Map to see which communities have are affected and if they have complied yet (from Boston Indicators: Upzone Update).

What Grants will Hopkinton be ineligible for if it does not comply with the MBTA Communities Act?