Community

Daily Buzz | Discussion About MBTA Communities Law to Continue

And, Ramadan and Daylight Savings Time begin this Sunday

Nicci Kadilak

Mar 8, 2024 — 5 min read

Good Morning, Neighbor!

We’re rounding the final corner a very busy week in Burlington and for the Buzz, and we’ve got some really exciting things in the works. Some—like the first of our candidate interview podcasts, which Hive members will be able to listen to starting tomorrow—we can tell you about. Others—like a partnership we can’t wait to share with you—are still in the works, but are exciting beyond measure.

If you’re a Hive member planning to come to the Coffee Hour today, know that it’s at the Upper Level at Wegmans. Check your email for the time. If you’re not a Hive member, early access to election podcasts, Coffee Hours, tomorrow’s Hive Roundup, and more are on the table. So go ahead and join us now!

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This Sunday, along with being Nintendo’s Mario Day (Mar10, Mario, get it?), marks the beginning of both Daylight Savings Time (spring forward and lament the “lost hour”—especially when it’s time to wake the kids for school on Monday) and the holy Islamic month of Ramadan.

How are you and your family observing Ramadan? Send your stories and traditions, and we will add your story to our Community Celebrations feature!

Discussion About MBTA Communities Law, Parking and Other Bylaw Changes, to Continue

The Planning Board met last night with the Land Use Committee and the Zoning Bylaw Review Committee to talk about the zoning-related Warrant Articles that are proposed for this May’s Town Meeting.

As anticipated, the discussion about the proposed MBTA Communities multifamily zoning overlay took up a good chunk of time. This overlay, designed to comply with the MBTA Communities law enacted by the Baker administration in 2021, would apply an overlay over current zoning to allow multifamily housing to be built without a special permit in certain areas of Burlington. Most of them are places where multifamily housing already exists, with the exception of Staples at 111 Middlesex Turnpike and the lots behind it up to the point where Great Meadow Road and Middlesex Turnpike meet. This area, due to the topography and the fact that there are multiple owners, is unlikely to be built into multifamily housing anytime soon.

The arguments for and against the overlay (and the law itself) remained the largely the same, and speakers took a number of positions related to how well the proposed overlay (which can be found on the Planning Department’s website) complies with the intention of the law.

Some say the law was created to encourage more housing to be built, and that this proposal is unlikely to result in more housing—and even if it does, it won’t be much and it won’t be for quite some time. Others say the law is intended solely to create zoning and remove barriers to building multifamily homes—and the town’s consultants say many communities are taking a similar approach to Burlington’s. And, still others contended that the law is overreach and the state should have nothing to do with local zoning.

While the overlay complies with the letter of the law, the concern was raised that the Attorney General might not accept it. The AG’s office will provide comments to the town on the proposal by June, and the town will know more then. The Planning Department wants this proposal to go before Town Meeting in May because the state’s compliance deadline is in December, and they want to have time to incorporate changes and get the final proposal to Town Meeting in September if necessary. The conversation was continued to the March 21 meeting of the Planning Board.

Also at Planning Board:

Nordblom development is requesting a fast-food drive-through at the corner of Fourth Ave. and Middlesex Turnpike. Many of the meeting’s participants, though, were not in favor of this addition because of traffic concerns, pedestrian safety concerns, and the fact that the developers and the town are trying to make this area more walkable and many think the addition of a drive through would be antithetical to this intention. The proponent said they’re in no rush and willing to work with the town to choose the right location. The item was continued.
A summary of the proposed updates to parking requirements was presented. The intention is to make it easier to understand parking requirements and to provide more flexibility. Continued.
A brief overview of the use table modernization article was also presented. This, once again, is intended to modernize and simplify the zoning bylaws. The point was made, however, that (a) some new uses would be added as a result of these changes and there will be a lot to digest, and (b) these two proposals make for a lot of non-budget-related conversation for May Town Meeting, which is traditionally focused on budget. Continued.

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Today in Burlington

Municipal Meetings and Community Events

Friday, March 8

8:30-10:00 AM - Ways and Means (DPW/Recreation Subcommittee) will review the Department of Public Works 2024-2025 budget and DPW Capital Budget for FY25. (Town Hall Annex)
8:00 PM - The Dragonfly Plays, presented by the Asian-American Playwright Collective and the Burlington Players (Park Playhouse; Tickets)

Saturday, March 9

10:00 AM-3:00 PM - Made in Burlington Marketplace - local crafters and vendors share their handmade items. (Wayside)
12:00-3:00 PM - Dogs & Decor at Ethan Allen - Bring the whole family including your canine members, walk the red carpet (Maybe you’ll win best dressed!), and find pet-friendly furniture. (Ethan Allen, Wayside; RSVP by March 7 to burlington@ethanallen.com or call 781-273-2515)
12:00-3:00 PM - LIVE Ice Sculpting - Grab a treat from one of the 3rd Ave eateries and let’s watch together as a talented ice artist molds the medium into a beautiful work of art on The Green. (3rd Ave)
7:00-11:00 PM - St. Patty’s Trivia Night hosted by the Burlington Community Scholarship Foundation. Raffles, live auction, cash bar and best of all the proceeds benefit the students. (Elks, 14 Webb Brook Road, Billerica; Tickets no longer available)
8:00 PM - The Dragonfly Plays, presented by the Asian-American Playwright Collective and the Burlington Players Last performance! (Park Playhouse; Tickets)

Sunday, March 10

Daylight Savings Time begins
Ramadan begins at sundown
MAR10 Day! How are you celebrating? Share with us on social media and #BurlingtonBuzz
10:00 AM-3:00 PM - Made in Burlington Marketplace - local crafters and vendors share their handmade items. (Wayside)
1:30-4:30 PM - Academy Award Afternoons: Oppenheimer - Let’s get ready for the awards and watch the nominated Oppenheimer movie together as a community. The event is free and the library will provide the popcorn. (Burlington Public Library; Drop-in)
7:00-10:00 PM - Auditions for First Night at Burlington Players (The Park PlayhouseSign Up for timed Spot; Audition Form)

Sports and Activities

It’s a sad day for girls’ hockey in Burlington, as they lost their Elite Eight game to Marshfield last night by a score of 2-0, ending the most successful season in team history. Congratulations, girls, on a season of hard work and breaking records.

The cheerleading team will be competing in the state finals in Worcester this Sunday after taking first place at Regionals last weekend. Best of luck to you, girls!