The February 27 articled headlined “Energy-efficiency amendments among zoning proposal at Town Meeting” mischaracterized a proposed amendment to the zoning bylaw on cluster developments. If approved at Town Meeting, the bylaw would be revised to comply with the current statutory language of MGL c.40A, which does not allow a mandate to a specific entity. The proposed bylaw will mirror the current 40A language by having the land subject to a use restriction enforceable by the town or a nonprofit organization whose principal purpose is the conservation of open space (details here).- Two events listed in the February 27 edition of News Acorns — “Celebrating Celtic history, music, and literature” on March 10 and “The Softer Side of Celtic” on March 17 — included incorrect locations. Both events will take pace in Bemis Hall. The original post and calendar listings have been updated.
This is the statutory language from M.G.L. c 40A Section 1A, that the Cluster Bylaw amendment purports to “mirror”
“The open land shall either be conveyed to the city or town and accepted by said city or town for park or open space use, or be made subject to a recorded use restriction enforceable by said city or town or a non-profit organization the principal purpose of which is the conservation of open space, providing that such land shall be kept in an open or natural state and not be built for residential use or developed for accessory uses such as parking or roadway.”
However, the language does not exactly mirror the statutory authority therefore Lincoln Squirrel’s characterization is still inaccurate. The Cluster Bylaw Amendment at issue included the word “recreation” after “park and open space.” That is a substantial difference from M.G.L. c 40A Section 1A.