Leaders Looking to Spur Willow Street Development

The future of Hamilton's downtown could hinge on changes being contemplated that would add more development options to a stretch of Willow Street.

The changes - known as an overlay zoning district - would add additional uses with a special permit from the Planning Board to the commercial and residential uses already allowed there.

The new proposed zoning laws were drafted this summer and received a public airing in late August, when about three dozen residents met with the Planning Board to give their feedback at Town Hall. The discussion followed an earlier tour of the downtown area by members of the Board of Selectmen.

The changes, say members of the town's Economic Development Committee, should extend beyond Willow Street to the entire 26-acre commercial area.

"Any rezoning should encompass the entire business district or a large portion of it," said EDC member Carl Swanson.

The committee's work is driven by the town's Master Plan, written in 2004, that's suggested the move. The new development laws could "stimulate economic activity," said Planning Board Chairman Peter Clark.

The rezoning effort is spurred, in part, at the hope for redevelopment of the so-called Hansbury property. The new zoning would allow two properties to share parking spaces to meet parking requirements and share a septic system, for example.

While the Planning Board and Economic Development Committee agree that the first floor of downtown buildings should be devoted to commercial uses, some members thought upper floors could be used for residences.

Swanson said if 5 percent of the town's land area was zoned commercial he would advocate for a mix of uses in the commercial area. But since less than 1 percent of Hamilton is commercial, he said having a mix of uses limits the advantage of having a commercial area since residential uses could go in almost all other areas of the town.

Ed Howard, a Planning Board member, said he's skeptical that there's enough room for both new development and the septic systems required by any new buildings in the downtown.

"I don't believe there is enough elbow room in the downtown like you talk about," he said.

Board member Rob McKean said he was concerned that the proposed "overlay district" would allow buildings as tall as 50 feet along the railroad tracks.

While there was no consensus, the possibility remains that the proposed zoning changes could go before voters at a special Town Meeting in October.