The “Smith Property” Public

Forum
March 2, 2011

Photo: Historical Society

• 8+ acres located at 715 & 717 Main Street
•Used as a commercial site since the early 1900’s and operated as
Smith’s Garage.
•Also has two houses

Photo: j.burney
 Zoning
• Prior to 1972 all land in Bolton
was unzoned. In 1972 the first
zoning districts were created

• Smith’s continued to operate as a

Pre-Existing Non Conforming Use
(PENC) until the early 2000’s

• A PENC use which has been

abandoned, discontinued for a
period of 2-years shall not be re-
established, and any future use of
the premises shall conform with
the Bolton Bylaw
Brownfield Site – lead, arsenic & petroleum
•Phase 1 & 2 completed
•Phase 3 needs assessment
•Phase 4 cleanup
•Phase 5 final inspection
 Wetlands
• Perennial Stream (Great Brook)
 Board of Health

Failed septic systems for the 2 houses

and the garage
UMass visualization of the Smith property
2 recent development proposals

Bolton Crossing 78,000+ SF Chris Nash 34,000+ SF

 Zoning Scenarios
Residential

• Current zoning requires

80,000 Sq. ft. (almost 2-
acres) per housing unit.

• Property consists of 8+
acres which could allow up
to 4 houses or less (need to
fit in septic & well & meet
wetland requirements)
Courtesy of Historical Society
Zoning Scenarios
Residential 40B

• Bypass local zoning requirements.

• 25% of units must be deed restricted

as affordable units.

• E.g.
The Regency 23 acres 60 units (2.61
units per acre) Smith would have 20
units
Sunset Ridge 15.5 acres 28 units (1.81
units per acre) Smith would have
14.48 units
 Zoning Scenarios
Local Initiative Plan (LIP)
• Friendly 40B

• Application submitted w/ letter of

endorsement by Board of Selectmen

• 25% of units must be deed

restricted as affordable

• E.g. Bolton Woods Way 9.9 acres 28

units (14 affordable) 2.83 units per
acre/ Smith would have 22.64 units
Zoning Scenarios
Mixed Use 40B
• Residential project may
contain ancillary
commercial, institutional, or
other non residential uses.

• Planned & designed to

complement the primary
residential uses
 Zoning Scenarios
Village Overlay w/ Design Guidelines
• Village Overlay could allow
mixed use (residential &
commercial uses) that are
compatible with the historic
context of the neighborhood.
• The design guidelines could
control: architectural style,
building mass, lighting,
landscaping, signage,
buffering, parking, setbacks &
building heights.
Zoning Scenarios
• Rezone to Business or
Limited Business
 Zoning Scenarios
40R Smart Growth Districts
• Allows for dense residential or • Financial incentives: zoning
mixed use development. 20% of incentive payment e.g.
housing must be affordable. $10,000 for up to 20 units,
bonus payments $3,000 for
• The Board of Selectmen submits each unit, educational cost
an application to the state
reimbursement
requesting a Smart Growth
District. Once approved by the
State, a community then adopts
the smart growth district at
(see handout for more details)
town meeting 2/3rds vote.
 NEXT:
7:55 – 8:25 pm discussion between
the Planning Board, Board of
Selectmen & Economic
Development Committee