Braintree Rezoning Delayed After Massive Protest

BRAINTREE, MA — The Town Council voted unanimously for a resolution seeking updates to the town's master plan before rewriting Braintree's zoning ordinance. At-large Councilor Sean Powers proposed the resolution at Tuesday's Town Council meeting after hundreds of residents protested at a Planning Board meeting in objection to a new zoning proposal over concerns it would allow for overcrowded housing developments.

Most residents argued that a new master plan needed to be completed before they'd support any zoning changes. Braintree's master plan has not been updated since 1998. Residents argued a 21-year-old plan couldn't possibly accommodate for the town's growth in population, development, school enrollment, and traffic since then. Dozens of residents protested outside town hall before Tuesday night's meeting.

"In light of the massive turnout at the Planning Board meeting on March 25 and the comments at that meeting, in addition to the numerous emails and phone calls I have received, the message of updating the town's master plan is loud and clear," Powers said.

According to Powers, the master plan should keep the character of the town intact, rather than have it become a city. He said this is a town primarily of single-family homes and residents' quality of life need to be considered. Powers said he wants the master plan to include a growth management plan that creates commercial growth, but also critically assesses changes to infrastructure.

"A master plan is a vision for the future," Powers said. "The vision of Braintree is that of a town which supports a high quality of life for its residents."

Discussions for a new zoning proposal are now under an ordinance and rules committee, rather than the full council, while the master plan becomes the priority. The council also cannot take any action on zoning without first getting a recommendation from the Planning Board.

Read More On Braintree Re-Zoning

• Braintree Residents Protest Zoning Change Proposal
• Opinion: 'Long-Term Approach' Needed For Braintree Zoning
• Opinion: Councilor David Ringius On Braintree Zoning