Zoning Bylaw Review Committee

STONEHAM ZONING BYLAW REVIEW COMMITTEE

OVERALL CHARGE

The Zoning Bylaw Review Committee (ZRBC) shall be responsible for reviewing the Stoneham Zoning Bylaw (“Bylaw”) and recommending a plan to improve, if necessary, the following elements of the Bylaw:

1. Clarity

2. Internal Consistency

3. Organization (structure and format)

4. Consistency with statutory changes and case law since the Bylaw was last formally amended

5. Other matters that the ZRBC deems relevant and appropriate to carry out its charge.

The ZRBC shall also be asked to assist the Select Board with evaluating proposals to recodify the Bylaw.

SPECIFIC DUTIES

In its work, the ZRBC shall seek input from the past and present members of town land use officials and boards, including the Building Inspector, Town Planner, Select Board, Planning Board, Zoning Board, Conservation Commission, Stormwater Board, and Board of Health, local developers and professionals that represent them, and the public. The ZRBC may conduct public meetings in order to obtain comments from the general public. It may also gather information from other communities and from academic or professional organizations specializing in land use and zoning. In addition, the ZRBC shall consider the recently enacted Housing Choice Law and the regulations and report on the impact of this law on potential amendments to the Bylaw.

Members shall consist of:

1-Select Board Member

1-Planning Board Member

1 – Conservation Commission Member

1-Zoning Board of Appeals Member

1-Town Clerk or designee

1-Town Planner (ex officio)

1-Building Inspector

3-5-Resident volunteers with a background and interest in: zoning, municipal law, community planning, by-law review

REPORTING RESPONSIBILITIES

The ZRBC shall keep the Town Administrator and Select Board apprised of its work and provide quarterly updates (February, May, September, and December) and specific recommendations to the Select Board by December, 2023-February/March 2024.

The ZRBC will post their meetings in accordance with the Open Meeting Law (G.L. c. 30A, §§ 18-25) and will submit timely minutes to the Town Clerk.

MEMBERSHIP

The ZRBC shall be a 9 or 11 member committee appointed by and accountable to the Select Board. The members and volunteers will need to commit to 18-24 months.

STAFF SUPPORT

The Town Administrator or his designee shall provide staff assistance to the ZRBC and Town Counsel shall be available to consult with the ZRBC as needed.

Adopted by the Select Board on January 24, 2023