We accept the definition of sustainability policies as those that "meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."

With that in mind, we suggest Chelmsford take the following actions:

Make Growth Pay for Growth

• Require new commercial development to provide a financial impact report
• Require new development to provide a community impact statement
• Implement sewer hookup restrictions for new development until existing taxpayers receive services
• Implement justifiable, reasonable and related Impact Fees and/or Linkage Fees
• Implement justifiable, reasonable and related Affordable Housing Set-Aside Fees

Update Local Initiative Process (LIP) Approval Guidelines for 40B developments

• Require 'verifiable' financial data from developers before meetings
• Implement 50%/75% affordable unit requests for developments that require zoning variances
• Require reasonable unit density
• Require ZBA approval to make LIP approval final
• Require affordable deed restrictions to be in perpetuity rather than the minimum 20 years required by statute
• Oppose state efforts to standardize LIP guidelines and place them under state control

Update Town Development Guidelines

• Enforce the Town Master Plan as the guiding framework for all policy decisions
• Mandate prompt notification of abutters, in writing, before meetings
• Codify public posting of projects that will be or are under consideration
• Timely posting of agenda prior to meetings

Work to Repeal Chapter 40B

• Save Our State by joining theCoalition to Repeal 40B
• Support re-development projects that utilize existing space instead of new construction
• Help stop ill-conceived development by becoming active and by sharing concerns with town officials

Click here to get on our activist e-mail list.