Opinion: Councilor David Ringius On Braintree Zoning

The following is a letter to the editor from Braintree Town Councilor David Ringius

Comprehensive Zoning Project — these three words have been the center of discussion, argument, and of debate over the last few months throughout Braintree. The conversation was carried out on the sidelines of the basketball courts of BYB, at school activities, and throughout the restaurants of town, culminating in a widely attended Planning Board Meeting this past week. Over the course of these months, I have met with residents throughout town, and heard many of the sentiments echoed at that meeting. Residents have concerns about these proposed zoning changes, they have fears about effects these changes will have on our town, and there has been a sense of distrust about the process.

With such comments in mind, I have worked to ensure that the residents of this town are heard, and that the sanctity of our neighborhoods is protected. It is incumbent upon our elected and appointed officials to ensure that these comments are heard. Further, it is incumbent upon our elected and appointed officials to ensure that this process is open and transparent. Finally, it is incumbent upon our local officials to ensure residents have a seat at the table in such proposed changes. No vote can take place that does take these views into consideration.

Of course, we as a town must look toward the future, and ensure our town remains vibrant and economically strong. We must make plans to this end, and chart a path that allows our community to grow responsibly and flourish. There is an old adage which applies to this situation, namely, if you fail to plan, you plan to fail. There is no doubt that changes are needed to zoning in Braintree, but we need to be mindful of not putting the cart before the horse. Any zoning changes must be looked at in conjunction with a plan for the future in mind, a plan to guide any such changes. As many have noted, Braintree’s Master Plan has not been updated since 1998, a twenty one year old document! Although various studies have been conducted over the years, these studies are pieces to a puzzle which must be combined into a new Master Plan for the future.

We, as a community, have to come together in this undertaking. We can actually look to some of the ideas in this 1998 plan as we seek its update. A theme of that document was the enhancement of the quality of life in town, mindful of its scale and character, rather than becoming a city. Additionally, as pointed out by former Planning Board Member Coyle, the introduction of that document states, “the opportunity at hand calls for the Town to position itself so that it is managing development rather than having development dictate the character of the Town and the quality of life of its residents.” These words apply so perfectly today! I look forward to working with local officials and residents in the creation of plans for the future of Braintree.

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