As part of its effort to bolster commercial tax revenue and make Belmont more business-friendly, the town plans to perform a comprehensive overhaul of its entire zoning bylaw – with Belmont Center as its first project.
“The goal is to develop a more appropriate set of zoning criteria that is specific to Belmont Center and would address perceived challenges to making the center more vibrant,” said Director and Town Planner Chris Ryan.
According to Ryan, the town has collected nearly 400 survey responses from residents seeking input on potential improvements to the area. Though the survey has since closed, a workshop will take place on Jan. 22 at 6 p.m. in the Town Hall Auditorium, with 70 slots available to participate.
“In terms of similar projects in town, I don’t think there are any,” Ryan said. “We’re approaching it as a form-based code … While there have been overlay districts in the town, there really hasn’t been anything utilizing this type of tool.”
Unlike use-based code—which establishes zoning districts based on uses the town wants to see and backfills dimensional criteria— form-based code pre-establishes the dimensional and structural or design elements the town wants to see.
“What that means is that essentially, each lot will have the form of the building already pre-established,” he said. “Everybody knows exactly what to expect, what they’re going to get.”
Ryan said the goals for Belmont Center will be similar to those set out when the Cushing Square overlay district was established. Those goals include providing additional development opportunities, clarifying types of uses, as well as establishing some dimensional and bulk criteria, and what buildings would look like.
“In a way, if the town wants to consider utilizing the form-based code typology in the future, this is a good test case,” Ryan said.
In a letter to constituents, Select Board Chair Elizabeth Dionne said the planning and legal process to overhaul the town’s zoning bylaw will take at least two to three years. The meeting is step one in a larger process.
“In the meantime,” she wrote, “parts of Belmont Center languish, especially the former Bank of America and CVS buildings.”