Article to reinvigorate Wareham Village held off for further study
Wicked Local
WAREHAM – Those awaiting a chance to weigh in on a zoning proposal to reinvigorate downtown Wareham Village will have to wait a little longer.
The Wareham Village 1: Reinvestment Subdistrict was on the warrant for the spring town meeting on May 8 as article 16 but the Wareham Redevelopment Authority voted Thursday to refer it to the Planning Board for further study, entailing another public hearing. The WRA first requested the article’s consideration.
The vote effectively pushes off consideration of the article to fall town meeting.
It’s been about 10 months since the zone change was first introduced, but COVID has helped push off its consideration at town meetings in the interim.
Wicked Local
To the Editor:
“A Town lives and dies by its zoning!” This old adage is alive and well in Wareham. There are six zoning articles on the May 8 Annual Spring Town Meeting Warrant and four zoning articles on the Special Town Meeting!
Specifically, we write to ask voters for their support of Special Town Meeting Article 17 which is a Solar Bylaw Amendment. This is a Citizens Petition article proposed by a group of concerned, committed citizens who understand that the current bylaws are outdated and as such do not include newer guidance regarding more appropriate siting of solar arrays.
Chloe Shelford May 3, 2021
The Wareham Redevelopment Authority voted at their April 29 meeting to ask that the rezoning of Wareham Village be directed to further study at the May 8 Town Meeting.
The rezoning has been in the works since summer 2020, and was spearheaded by the Wareham Redevelopment Authority member Richard Swenson.
The changes are meant to foster redevelopment of the village while preserving its character and encouraging small business uses through mixed-use zoning.
Mixed use zoning allows a variety of uses, including retail, residential, office, entertainment, and culture to fit together in a single environment. Outdoor space including plazas and parks are also incorporated.
May 3, 2021
To the Editor,
“A Town lives and dies by its zoning!” This old adage is alive and well in Wareham. There are 6 zoning articles on the May 8
th Annual Spring Town Meeting Warrant and 4 zoning articles on the Special Town Meeting!
Specifically, we write to ask voters for their support of Special Town Meeting Article 17 which is a Solar Bylaw Amendment. This is a Citizens Petition article proposed by a group of concerned, committed citizens who understand that the current bylaws are outdated and as such do not include newer guidance regarding more appropriate siting of solar arrays.
This amendment is the first step in updating Wareham’s outdated solar bylaw. As proposed, new arrays could be no more than 10 acres and must be on land that has been cleared for at least 5 years. This will put a stop to the clear-cutting of forests in the name of green energy.