WESTFORD — The Select Board recently remanded two zoning bylaw amendments, which could spur additional economic development in town, to the Planning Board ahead of Special Town Meeting.
The Select Board voted unanimously to remand the proposals to the Planning Board during a July 30 meeting. Vice Chair Tom Clay was not present for the vote.
The proposed zoning bylaw amendments would define and regulate additional uses for certain businesses and establish and modify parking regulations for certain businesses. Town Planner Joseph Giniewicz met with the Select Board on July 30 to request that they remand the proposed zoning bylaw to the Planning Board to begin the public hearing process.
“We’re trying to get some more modest zoning bylaw amendments at the Special Town Meeting than some other recent ones, just to try to make some small changes to encourage economic development here in town,” Giniewicz said.
The Land Use Management Department was requested to modernize some of Westford’s current requirements and encourage economic development for businesses that may otherwise be prohibited in town.
Businesses include brew pubs and contractor yards, and the proposed zoning bylaw would update allowances for certain uses based on development pattern changes in Westford.
Additionally, restaurants would be authorized to operate within the Industrial Highway zoning district, while massage establishments would now be permitted within the Commercial Highway, Industrial Highway and Industrial A zoning districts with a special permit. Currently, these establishments are not permitted within any zoning district.
A second amendment would also change parking regulations due to certain industry changes, such as remote and hybrid schedules among businesses zoned in the Commercial Highway district.
These amendments are slated to appear on the Oct. 21 Special Town Meeting warrant.
