Speak Up About Swampscott Zoning

The Zoning By-Law Review Subcommittee held its first public meeting on Feb. 13.  Established by the Swampscott Planning Board, the zoning subcommittee will be looking at the town's Zoning By-Law.  

The subcommittee is made up of Planning Board members (current and former), lawyers, and a real estate agent.  Through their review efforts, they will identify elements of the by-law that can be updated or added to in order to better reflect the changing needs and desire of the community.

The subcommittee is looking for input from residents and business owners in Swampscott.  During the February meeting, the subcommittee decided to look into the following elements: awnings in the B-1 business district, zoning tools for density (such as cluster zoning), contractor signs during construction, and dimensional requirements for drive-throughs.

As the Zoning By-Law Review Subcommittee develops revised or new elements for the Zoning By-Law, they will submit them to the Planning Board.  The Planning Board will then review the proposals in order to determine whether they will endorse them for an upcoming Town Meeting.  The final decision on any changes to the bylaw will come to a vote by Town Meeting members.

If you have any recommendations about zoning changes that you feel can help to better the community, you can bring them to the zoning subcommittee to be studied.  All meetings of the subcommittee are open and posted on the town website and in Town Hall.  

If you cannot attend a meeting, you can mail a letter with your zoning concept to the Planning Department, Town Hall, 22 Monument Ave, Swampscott, MA 01907.

This article was submitted by Town Planner Pete Kane