Six Zoning Changes Proposed

Six proposed Westborough zoning changes seek to scrap outdated rules or redundancies, town planning officials say.

Voters will get the proposed changes at the fall special town meeting, which starts at 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 21, in the Westborough High School auditorium.

Town Planner Jim Robbins and Westborough Planning Board Vice Chairman Brian Bush recently reviewed the proposals with selectmen.

The articles "have some economic benefit" in addition to addressing issues within Westborough's zoning, Bush said.

Article 22 would "eliminate duplication in the permitting process and shorten the time period for an applicant to commence his project," according to "talking points" that Robbins and Bush discussed with selectmen.

The change would be to Westborough's earth moving regulations.

Bush said projects typically also are before the planning board and getting a technical review by the town engineer.

Projects such as "a quarry, mining or commercial logging operation" would "still require a clearing and earth moving permit," according to the talking points.

Robbins said that Article 23 would delete a footnote in Westborough's district regulations that contradicts language elsewhere.

"It causes confusion. And what ends up happening is residents have to go to the ZBA," Robbins said.

Article 23 also would add a footnote about "man-made detention and retention areas," the talking points say.

"The new requirement will impact only residential single-family districts," the talking points say.

"Currently man-made detention and retention areas are not considered open space. Since these drainage areas must remain open, they function as open space. Classifying them otherwise, in commercial districts, is a hardship to business uses rendering other areas on the lot to be required as additional open space."

Article 24 would delete language regarding liquid waste, which now faces state and federal regulations, Bush said.

Article 24 also would address "a contradiction in our zoning bylaws" regarding new street trees, Robbins said.

Article 25 proposes deleting a section of Westborough's zoning bylaws regarding flood plain districts, which "have not been used by the Town for decades," the talking points note. The Massachusetts Wetland Protection Act now governs flood plain districts.

Article 26 proposes changes to the town's use table.

Article 27 proposes modifying or deleting some of the definitions in Westborough's zoning bylaws.

"Those proposed to be deletes are no longer used or have been superceded by State definitions and statutory requirements," the talking points note.