Zoning Task Force Update – April 3, 2025
Zoning Task Force Update – April 3, 2025
The Zoning Task Force (ZTF) has submitted a proposed Zoning Bylaw amendment to the Select Board that would create a new Walsh Overlay District. At its March 25th meeting, the Select Board voted to include and recommend the proposed amendment on the warrant for the 2025 Annual Town Meeting on May 3rd. As submitted to the Select Board, the proposed amendment was revised from previous drafts as a result of public comment; for example, reducing the maximum height of buildings for senior living from five stories to three stories, and increasing a building separation minimum from five to ten feet. When reviewing the proposed amendment, please bear in mind that zoning provisions do not require that the maximum or minimum dimensions or all uses be included in the overlay district – they simply establish a set of boundaries that provide guidance for the Town as it moves forward to seek developers to achieve the Town’s vision for this site. The Town will continue to control the development of the Walsh property through one or more RFP processes. There will be a public hearing on the Overlay District Bylaw and other Zoning Bylaw amendments before the Planning Board on Wednesday, April 9 at 5:00 pm. Please send your questions and comments to ztf@truro-ma.gov. We are also more than happy to reach out to discuss the proposed amendment with you, either in person or by Zoom.
One concern that the ZTF has heard is regarding Truro’s water supply, which the ZTF takes very seriously. The ZTF would like to make it clear that its charge is to amend the Town’s current Zoning Bylaws to allow for affordable and attainable housing development, including on the Walsh property as endorsed by Town Meeting last year, as well as improve economic development opportunities. The Walsh Overlay Zoning District does not – and cannot – alter any of the other regulations governing the property, such as the stringent protections of the Water Resource Protection Overlay District, which will continue to apply. Although there is a wellhead site near the northern portion of the Walsh property, all of the Walsh property is within the Water Resource Protection Overlay District, and no development will be permitted that is inconsistent with the overriding regulations that protect these sites. The Town is currently engaged in a planning process relating to water, including supply for the Walsh property and exploring options for wastewater treatment – all of which will be required to comply with state and local regulations. For more information, please visit the Health Department’s water webpage, linked here, to the Town of Truro website.