Zoning Study Committee

The project will be undertaken in conjunction with the Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District (SRPEDD) in Taunton. Freetown has been a member of SRPEDD since the 1960's. The process will be under the direction of the Freetown Zoning Study Committee that was appointed by the Board of Selectmen.

The following revisions will be made and prepared for town meeting action to better prepare the town for future growth and allow for smart growth development.

1. Evaluate and Revise the General Use District:
Issue – The vast majority of undeveloped land in town falls into the General Use category. This zone allows most residential, business and industrial uses, although some are permissible only by special permit (e.g. multi-family, recreational facilities and certain industrial uses).

Recommended Action – The goal will be to reduce the size of the general use district and incorporate the area into one of the three existing zones (residential, business or business 1 & 2) or any newly created zone (e.g. village zone).

2. Create Village Zones in Assonet Village and East Freetown:
Issue: Freetown has two locally designated historic districts – Assonet Village and East Freetown. Both are listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) and are defined by historic structures and eighteenth century development patterns. Despite the NRHP designation, both districts are currently included in the general use zone.

Recommended Action: The town will evaluate village zoning options for the two designated villages within town and examine use, lot size and other options leading to the adoption of a zoning bylaw amendment that creates two village zones.

3. Update the Table of Use Regulation:
Issue: Freetown’s current Table of Use Regulations is outdated and needs clearer definitions. For example, there are no distinctions between types of restaurants (fast food vs. sit down) and manufacturing uses are in need of updating to reflect new industrial types of businesses. Other uses are not described or defined, thus leaving interpretation up to the Zoning Enforcement Agent and the Zoning Board of Appeals. A detailed Table of Use Regulation takes the guess work out of deciding if a particular use is permitted or not. Further, a clearer definition of allowable uses will protect the town from uses that my not have been anticipated when the bylaw was originally created.

Recommended Action: Update the current Table of Use Regulation with new uses that reflect current development practices. These uses should be defined and added to the Table of Use as either Permitted as of Right, Special Permit Required, or Prohibited.

4. Zoning Map Changes: Revise the Town of Freetown zoning map to incorporate changes that are made by Town meeting. Prepare draft map of proposed changes on advance of public meetings and town meeting.


Frequently Asked Questions
 Smart Growth Toolkit

Committee  Members
Lawrence N. Ashley 2011 Chairman
Laurie Carvalho Muncy 2011
Jean C. Fox 2011
Robert N. Raymond 2011
James Rezendes 2011
Mary E. Rezendes-Brown 2011
Mark W. Rogers 2011