Marlborough council OKs mixed-use downtown district
(Foto: Courtesy of MAPC)
The Marlborough City Council unanimously approved a new downtown zoning district Monday night that would expand business options while encouraging a more pedestrian-friendly area.
The Marlborough Village District changes zoning downtown to allow different business uses while easing parking requirements for new businesses and changing the standards for new buildings, according to a statement released by the Marlborough Economic Development Corp. (MEDC), which helped push for the zoning change.
“We wanted to design a downtown that can both celebrate the charm and history of Marlborough, and bring buzz and excitement to our streets,” City Councilor Joe Delano said in a statement. “Our vision now is to build value in the city’s downtown area by offering more service and entertainment options for our residents and visitors, and more opportunities for our existing and new businesses.”
The district will allow bed and breakfasts, brewpubs, music recording studios and residential projects. It will also encourage businesses to create pedestrian-friendly amenities such as outdoor seating, patios, porches and courtyards.
“The Marlborough Village District brings the city’s downtown in line with the new urban economy,” MEDC Executive Director Tim Cummings said in a statement. “People want to live and work in cities that allow easy access to the businesses and services they use. Businesses want to operate in areas where they can be close to their customers, and where they can provide a good lifestyle for their employees. The new district will allow for all of this to happen naturally.”
WBJ Web Partners
Most Recent
Most Recent
0 Comments