Town Meeting members overwhelmingly approved a plan to rezone large tracts of land, easing the way to building more housing. If the state approves, the map will bring Belmont into compliance with the MBTA Communities Act.
The vote was 213-8, with seven abstentions.
“A vote no is a vote to violate the law,” said Precinct 1 member Jack Weis. “I hope everybody, regardless of where you started, vote yes on this article.”
The MBTA Communities Act requires towns served by the mass transit system, such as Belmont, to create at least one 3A zoning district of reasonable size where multi-family housing is permitted and that meets other criteria.
While the vote on the actual zoning map went quickly, it followed two nights of lengthy discussion on four amendments. In the end, three of the four were defeated by Town Meeting vote.
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Tuesday night, the sole amendment for discussion would have erased some dimensional standards for buildings and done away with restrictions on how close together the buildings could stand.
Supporters of the amendment, such as Precinct 3 Town Meeting member Rachel Heller, argued doing away with the restrictions improves the chances of housing being built.
According to Heller, doing away with the requirements means developers can design buildings that share mechanical systems, reduce redundant spaces such as stairs and lobbies, and cut energy costs.
“Zoning footprint and separation limits do not serve public policy,” said Precinct 1 member Joseph Wright, a supporter of the amendment.
Precinct 1 member Mary Lewis spoke in support of the amendment, pointing to the dire need for housing and the benefit Belmont will reap from more residents.
“A lot of research has shown that more people and more foot traffic is a net benefit to the community. We can supply those people right here in town,” she said.
The Planning Board opposed the amendment, Chair Taylor Yates agreeing with the spirit of the amendment, but not the reality.
“I agree with what Rachel (Heller) and Joe (Wright) are trying to get at, but it undermines the zoning framework, and it undermines confidence in this process,” Yates said.
After about 90 minutes, the vote on the amendment fell short: 98 in favor, 123 opposed, and six abstentions.
Monday night, three amendments were debated on Town Meeting floor.
The most substantial of the amendments, called Map 2, was put forth by Select Board member Roy Epstein. The map would have included a portion of Brighton Street encompassing the Purecoat site. In exchange, a portion of lower Belmont was excluded.
In a presentation Monday night, Epstein said there was no market for a new industrial use at the site and that in the past 20 years, several redevelopment ideas have fallen through. The owner, however, is now considering the possibility of a mixed-use development.
The vote on the Map 2 amendment was 79 in favor, 162 opposed and one abstentation.
The second amendment discussed on Monday corrected some typographical errors in the zoning language and made edits to a table, passed 236-1 with two abstentions.
The third amendment discussed on the first night, proposed by Precinct 6 Town Meeting member Doug Koplow and Precinct 3 member Bob Sarno, sought to decrease the building height in the multi-family housing overlay district, which includes the mandatory mixed-use subdistrict in the zoning map.
It also failed to win approval.
In Other Business
Town Meeting passed Article 3, which changes the inclusionary bylaw (used to require the creation of affordable housing) so it becomes required for all eligible building projects. Previously, it was only triggered when someone applied for a Special Permit.
Article 3 passed 205-4-4
Town Meeting also passed Article 4, making edits and changes to the site plan review bylaw. Town Planner Chris Ryan said the changes make the MBTA Communities Act more effective and feasible. It passed 212-2-1
Article 6, which had two pieces, also passed. The first transferred $1,425,000 to the capital stabilization fund. It passed 216-0-0. Part two added $366,244 to the override mitigation fund. It passed 208-0 with one abstention.
And finally, Article 7 passed, approving the leasing of a cell tower on Concord Avenue. The vote was 207-0
Town Meeting will continue tonight at 7 p.m. in the high school auditorium.
