Where are we in the process?

In late 2022 we received early Technical Assistance from the Mass Housing Partnership (MHP) and their consulting team in order to test our existing zoning districts for both compliance and unit capacity. They analyzed the existing zones that allow multi-family by-right and determined that none of them currently meet the density and acreage requirements. Their analysis and recommendations are summarized in this memo

In January 2023 the Town submitted the required Action Plan to remain in interim compliance while we work this year to plan the revisions to our Zoning Bylaw and our Action Plan was approved.

We ran the first stage of our public education and engagement process from June until early September 2023. During the first stage of our process, staff opened and advertised our survey on multi-family housing options. Staff attended a variety of community events and Board and Committee meetings (full list at the bottom of the page) to publicize the process and answer preliminary questions. Our Knowledge Session events took place from September through November, all slides and recordings from those events can be accessed under our prior events section further down the page. 

We presented our preliminary district concept on November 8 and received feedback on our proposed dimensional controls and district boundaries. We are incorporating that feedback into our final proposal, which will be discussed in the upcoming CPDC public hearings, starting in late December. Please see the top of the page for more detail.  

Show All Answers

1. What is MBTA Communities?
2. What does this mean for Reading specifically?
3. How did the state calculate our requirements?
4. Do we currently comply with the law?
5. Why should we comply?
6. What is the timeline for compliance?
7. Where are we in the process?
8. What do we know right now about our path forward?
9. What happens after the new zoning is adopted by Town Meeting?
10. General Zoning Considerations & Definitions
11. Helpful Studies and Links
12. Local Data, Resources, and Documents