Hamilton Planning Board hears developers' call to rewrite flexible zoning draft

HAMILTON -- February 2, 2021, Hamilton Planning Board's draft flexible development bylaw draws sharp developer critique. The board convened February 2 to gather feedback from developers Tom Ford, Peter Gordo, and Dave Tragerth on a draft bylaw intended to replace a 15-to-20-year-old open-space flexible planned development ordinance that has never been used. Ford argued that an 80,000-square-foot minimum lot size, combined with a ban on lot assemblages, would leave the downtown R1A district with zero eligible parcels, warning that overly generous density bonuses in the RA zone could instead spark a rush by existing homeowners to double their lots overnight. Gordo called for clearer benchmarks on energy and water efficiency standards and recommended the board require performance bonds to ensure developers follow through on permitted commitments. Tragerth told the board the bylaw reads as a greenfield subdivision tool rather than an urban infill instrument and urged the board to use visuals at town meeting to prevent a reflexive rejection. The board agreed it is not ready to send the draft to town counsel and will hear additional developer feedback from Larry Smith at its February 16 meeting.