03:59The meeting’s most discussion revolved around the MBTA Communities Act and its impact on Milton’s zoning and housing plans. Residents voiced differing opinions on how the town should comply with state mandates for affordable housing. The classification of Milton as a rapid transit community under the act was a point of contention. Several residents argued that the town’s trolley system does not warrant such a classification. There were calls for reclassification to an adjacent community status, which they believed would better reflect Milton’s transportation realities.

23:34Public comments highlighted the challenges and differing perspectives on housing density. One resident from Cape Cod Lane emphasized the limitations of the existing trolley system, which affects accessibility to public transport for residents, including those with professional commitments like his wife, who is a medical practitioner. This resident advocated for a reclassification to better reflect the town’s transit situation.

19:28Another resident focused on the broader housing crisis in Milton, stressing the need for affordable housing and criticizing the recent overturning of a previously supported plan. He urged the adoption of a compliant plan that meets the 25% requirement but minimizes neighborhood disruption.

02:04:34The meeting also tackled the implications of adjusting zoning parameters in various districts, particularly around the Elliot Street corridor and Fairmont Station commuter rail district. Adjustments to unit limits were presented, with discussions on maintaining desired density while balancing it across the town. The East Milton Square 40B site, previously removed from consideration due to doubts about its viability under state guidelines, was reconsidered based on new insights. The board emphasized mindful distribution of housing units across the town.

01:03:02In the context of these discussions, the Select Board also explored potential changes in zoning regulations to accommodate increased housing density. This included a focus on adjusting the Floor Area Ratio (F) for certain sites, with suggestions to potentially raise it to allow for more units while considering open space requirements. The dialogue acknowledged current levels of open space are lower than proposed targets, particularly around the Verizon building and adjacent parcels. Proposals to lower the open space requirement were discussed as a means to facilitate achieving the target unit count.

01:40:34Safety concerns and infrastructure challenges were recurring themes throughout the meeting. The safety of school bus stops and the lack of transit-oriented development on Randolph Avenue were emphasized as issues. One participant highlighted the discrepancies in unit distribution between the more dangerous Randolph Avenue and other corridors like Elliot Street, questioning the logic of placing a higher number of units in less suitable areas.

50:48The board also debated the procedural aspects of zoning changes, emphasizing the importance of public communication and feedback. The necessity for clarity on the projected number of new students entering schools was stressed, with concerns that previous analyses underestimated the potential demographic impact of new housing developments.

29:52Further, the meeting addressed the ongoing challenges regarding the classification of Milton under the MBTA Communities Act. A recent Supreme Judicial Court ruling left the town’s classification undetermined, leading to discussions about the potential consequences of passing zoning changes without resolution on this issue. There were suggestions to prepare both a 10% and a 25% compliant plan for consideration at the upcoming town meeting to provide flexibility in response to any legal developments.

03:12:34As the meeting drew to a close, the Select Board underscored the need for ongoing public engagement and proactive communication with state officials to resolve discrepancies in the zoning plan. The board expressed a commitment to exploring all possible avenues for compliance and zoning adjustments while preparing for potential further refinements to the compliance approaches being presented.