Chelmsford Slow Growth Initiative

The following twelve steps should be implemented quickly to help Chelmsford confront its unsustainable growth. Click Here.

Create a 40B advisory board for a pre-application process to determine whether projects are appropriate.
Create ZBA regulations that defer 40B negotiations to the 40B advisory board.
Empower a joint-planning process by requiring 40B proposals to be made to the Conservation Commission, Planning Board, Selectmen and Zoning Board of Appeals.
Establish better project-based collaboration by creating bylaws requiring each of the above boards to provide written commentary on the impacts of 40B proposals.
Establish design standards for new projects to include housing type, affordability, disability accessibility and benchmarks for community enhancement.
Require fiscal impacts statements on any development project with more than five units.
Create a zoning bylaw that defines and prioritizes Redevelopment so we can refurbish existing buildings before building new ones
Work with the water districts to create water impact assessments for new development proposals.
Change the master plan and zoning bylaws to protect existing residential neighborhoods from new development and shift development to vacant, obsolete or underutilized buildings.
Change the ZBA from an appointed board to an elected board.
Lobby the state for affordable housing funds to be reallocated from new construction to redevelopment and to prioritize revitalization of gateway cities.
Provide zoning variances only for additional affordable units and block the addition of unnecessary market-priced homes in 40B proposals

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The Slow Growth Initiative Mission

Twelve Actions to be Taken Immediately

The Slow Growth Initiative Mission

Recent News

Create a Better Community



	Twelve Actions to be Taken Immediately The following twelve steps should be implemented quickly to help Chelmsford confront its unsustainable growth. Click Here. Create a 40B advisory board for a pre-application process to determine whether projects are appropriate. Create ZBA regulations that defer 40B negotiations to the 40B advisory board. Empower a joint-planning process by requiring 40B proposals to be made to the Conservation Commission, Planning Board, Selectmen and Zoning Board of Appeals. Establish better project-based collaboration by creating bylaws requiring each of the above boards to provide written commentary on the impacts of 40B proposals. Establish design standards for new projects to include housing type, affordability, disability accessibility and benchmarks for community enhancement. Require fiscal impacts statements on any development project with more than five units. Create a zoning bylaw that defines and prioritizes Redevelopment so we can refurbish existing buildings before building new ones Work with the water districts to create water impact assessments for new development proposals. Change the master plan and zoning bylaws to protect existing residential neighborhoods from new development and shift development to vacant, obsolete or underutilized buildings. Change the ZBA from an appointed board to an elected board. Lobby the state for affordable housing funds to be reallocated from new construction to redevelopment and to prioritize revitalization of gateway cities. Provide zoning variances only for additional affordable units and block the addition of unnecessary market-priced homes in 40B proposals Close [x] The Slow Growth Initiative Mission The mission of the Slow Growth Initiative is to improve the quality of life in Chelmsford by limiting unwanted growth and enjoying the benefits of stabilization. Financial benefits include reduced costs for town services and substantial reduction in the need for capital expenditures for new infrastructure to support growth. Non-financial benefits include less traffic; preservation of open space; lower noise levels; and environmental protection. Recent News The Town of Chelmsford has decided to re-evaluate our Town Master Plan. Resident concerns about the future of Chelmsford and constant new development must be represented. The town has allocated three vacancies for the new Master Plan committee: 1 vacancy to be filled by a Town Meeting Representative 1 vacancy to be filled by a member of the Chelmsford Business Association 1 vacancy to be filled by a resident-at-large The deadline to submit names to Community Development Director Evan Belansky (978-250-5247)was October 31. No word yet on who has applied or when the appointments will be made public. Continue reading news stories here Create a Better Community Residents are concerned by the impact that decades of development has had on the town. This development has contributed to the many difficult financial decisions we now struggle with. Since every additional residential unit built costs Chelmsford $30,000-$80,000 more than what they generate in taxes, please remind your local officials that they need to stop this kind of excessive growth. It strains our municipal budget, adds no reasonable affordable housing, endangers local businesses and degrades our natural environment, community character and quality of life. Our group exists to slow down growth and create a sustainable community environment. Our activism has made enormous strides. If you are interested in these issues, please consider taking the following steps: You have five simple options: Use our communication tool to share your concerns Promote our Slow Growth Action Plan Support our town Master Plan Sign the Slow Growth petition Join our activist e-mail list

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