To the editor:
Some Marblehead residents have expressed concerns in letters and posts about whether the proposed MBTA Communities Act zoning bylaw being proposed by our Planning Board at Town Meeting will abrogate Marblehead’s right to determine its own land use.
In actuality, the proposed bylaw would strengthen, not undermine, land-use policies which the town has already adopted. First, the bylaw supports transit-oriented development consistent with our existing 40R Smart Growth bylaw which promotes development of multifamily housing within walking distance of public transportation.
Secondly, the districts proposed in Article 36 would include affordable housing units, which is consistent with the town’s Housing Production Plan. This will assist us in providing much needed less expensive housing for our teachers, nurses, town employees and residents on fixed incomes.
Article 36 does not require anyone to build in the three districts specified. It simply makes the process easier to navigate for developers who might have an interest in building this kind of housing. As a result, it is likely that if such growth does occur, it will be on a very gradual basis. Nevertheless, every incremental step we can take to encourage such development is important.
Kurt James
Norman Street
