Planning Board Rejects Four Zoning Articles Headed to May Town Meeting

WEST BRIDGEWATER -- April 30, 2025, West Bridgewater Planning Board unanimously recommended against four of six zoning bylaw amendments bound for the May 12 Annual Town Meeting. The board voted 4-0 to not recommend Article 33, an MBTA Multi-Family Housing Overlay District that would create a 7.7-acre overlay zone on North Main Street permitting multi-family housing as of right at 15 units per acre and capped at 150 units, citing unresolved statewide litigation and the expectation of a fall special town meeting as a second opportunity to act before the town's December 31, 2025 compliance deadline. Consultant Jeff Davis of the Horsley Witten Group noted that approximately 24 MBTA communities remain on the same December 31 deadline as West Bridgewater. The board also voted unanimously against recommending Articles 34, 36, and 37, covering accessory dwelling units, principal building uses, and shed and portable storage permits respectively, while unanimously recommending passage of updated fencing height rules, correcting a draft error to set a seven-foot maximum, and a site-plan review clarification.