Ashland Creates Business Development Guide
Let's say a developer is looking to build a new commercial development in Ashland. Exactly where would he or she start? What's the process? Which boards, commissions and permits would be needed?
According to Matthew Selby, community development and health director for Ashland, finding answers to those questions has been difficult for potential developers.
So with state funds the town received after it adopted economic development legislation, Ashland hired two consultants to create a manual that guides potential investors through the development-approval process in town.
In fact, dozens of communities across Central Massachusetts have adopted that economic development legislation, called Chapter 43D, which qualifies cities and towns for state grants, allowing them to create business marketing materials like Ashland has done.
Priority Parcels
During the past few years, residents in Ashland have adopted the 43D measures, which institute a 180-day guaranteed turnaround on proposals once a developer has submitted applicable paperwork.
Ashland voters designated two sites as priority developments.
One is 60 Pleasant St., a former manufacturing plant that has sat vacant for years. The other is 61 Waverly St., a 15-acre undeveloped parcel on Route 135 across from the town's new high school.
A slow economy has meant little interest in either of the sites in recent years. But Selby said they are ideal locations for entrepreneurial incubator space or niche, emerging technologies.
"It's the economy that drives all of this stuff -until the economy turns around we're in a similar situation as every other community," he said. "However, we can take this slow time to make our community as business-friendly as possible."
Instituting the 43D program means Ashland automatically qualified to receive various economic development grants from the state. The state's Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development, which runs the 43D program, awarded Ashland more than $50,000 in planning and assistance grants after the town adopted 43D.
Ashland officials used the money to hire two Boston-area consultants to put together an economic development vision plan as well as a guide for potential developers on how to get projects approved. Part of the money was also used to streamline the town's permitting process, to pave the way for 180-day turnarounds.
The 36-page approval guide outlines the various steps needed to get a project permitted in town. For example, it runs through, step by step, what a potential investor would have to do if they require a special permit, if the construction is allowed by-right or if the development needs a variance.
Worth The Hype?
Across Central Massachusetts, 21 communities have received approval to designate at least 44 parcels as priority development sites. These include four in Marlborough, three in Medway and two in Littleton.
But to at least one local developer, the main feature of a 43D site - 180-day turnaround - is not all it is publicized to be, said Bob Moss, of Westborough's Moss Development.
To make it a real enticement, Moss said, getting approval in 90 days or 120 days would raise some eyebrows in the development community.
"If I have a full submittal, I would expect the town to be able to turn around a decision in 180 days," he said. "That should be the norm." 180 days is about six months.
Furthermore, the 180-day answer period only applies to local permits. State and federal permits, if needed, can frequently be much more of a hindrance.
WBJ Web Partners
Most Recent
Most Recent
0 Comments