Lynnfield Approves New Town Zoning Map

LYNNFIELD, MA – Lynnfield officials are inching closer to finalizing the town’s new zoning map. Following months of studies and data collection, town leaders recently approved a new map during their Oct. 21 town meeting. The new map will replace the town’s current plan, which dates to 1953.

“This was a monumental effort on the part of many of our people at Town Hall,” Town Administrator Rob Dolan said in a press release.

Dolan said that Planning & Conservation spent months examining records dating back to the time of the original 1928 zoning map. Following the recent town hire of Patrick McDonald, a geographic information system (GIS) and database expert, Dolan said the town was able to save money on the project by not having to turn to an outside consultant.

Town leaders said the updated map is needed to bring the town into compliance with state standards. Under Massachusetts law, all towns within the state are required to have a valid, up-to-date map showing all zoning districts.

“We now have a modernized, GIS compliant, detailed map with correct zoning for each parcel,” Planning Board Chairman Brian Charville said.

Updating the town’s map will also give town leaders the ability to incorporate all zoning changes and adaptations recorded in all town meetings since 1953. It also allows them to update all shapefiles for use in a geographic information system (GIS) as well as permit future in-house data analysis of land and parcels

The new zoning map isn’t final yet. The town clerk must submit the map to the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office for review. The AG’s office will have up to 90 days to approve the map. Once approved, the map will then go into effect.

The full presentation of the zoning map project can be viewed at this link.