The Basics
About Flexible Development
These regulations are promulgated pursuant to Section VI H. of the Weston Zoning By-Law (PDF). In 1994, Annual Town Meeting replaced the Cluster Provision to the Zoning By-Law with a provision that allows Flexible Development on any parcel in Town provided that it is located in a single family residence district.
Flexible Development is an alternative form of land development that involves the division of a parcel into residential building lots, using flexible zoning dimensions, pursuant to Section VI.H.5. of the Zoning By-law (PDF). A Flexible Development Subdivision, as opposed to a conventional subdivision, allows greater flexibility in design within overall density limits.
Purpose
The purpose of the Flexible Development provision to the Zoning By-law is to permit a better relationship of development to land qualities by allowing flexibility in lot size, frontage, and setbacks. Road design standards are often reduced from conventional engineering standards. The goal of a Flexible Development is to
- minimize the disruption to the land and to abutters;
- take into account the natural features of the site; and
- preserve the semi-rural character of the Town by preserving vegetated buffers around and within the Flexible Development.
Process
The Flexible Development process is a two-step process. Prior to submission of a Preliminary Density Plan an Applicant must first meet with the Town Planner to discuss the proposed development. The Applicant must submit all Plans, reports and calculations to the Planning Board’s consulting engineer: David Conway of Judith Nitsch Engineering, Inc., 1 Appleton Street, Boston, MA 02116, Telephone: 617 338 0063. Prior to submission of the Plan, an Applicant must deposit an amount of money to be used as review fees under Chapter 593 along with filing fees. The Town Planner will provide a complete list of fees.