There are two key pieces from my speech on Jan. 1, 2024, that remain true and that are timely to emphasize. The first point is that Gloucester cannot stop the natural evolution of our community — we are constantly evolving and we must continue to adapt with the changing times. And the second point is that City Hall depends on our residents and community members participating and engaging in our city’s government — what happens in City Hall has real impacts on real lives, and it is critical that the people play a role in our decision-making.
I mention these two themes because we have a task ahead of us in the coming months and it requires adaptation and engagement from our city. I am talking about creating and adopting compliant zoning for the Chapter 40A 3A Zoning Act, also known as MBTA Communities Act. For those of you who are not familiar with this state-mandated zoning, I encourage you to visit the city’s website where there is a dedicated page, titled “State 40A 3A/ MBTA Communities Information,” that includes all the most up-to-date and accurate information from the city’s Planning Department, Planning Board, and other reliable sources.
There is no question that Section 3A has been a large topic of conversation within the community since I have taken office. We recently kicked off the Section 3A planning process late last month at a joint public meeting of our Planning Board and City Council Planning and Development Subcommittee. At this meeting, RKG Associates, the city’s consultants, provided a thorough presentation of what the law is and is not, as well as what the game plan is for Gloucester’s planning process. Ensuring compliance remains our top priority as it has been made clear by the state leadership that this is a mandate and we must comply.
While I acknowledge that the current law does not address the needs of affordable housing or senior housing, this does not negate my responsibility as mayor to uphold the law. Separate from 3A zoning, we have been working creatively to address the affordable housing crisis and I remain committed to partnering with our city’s boards, community organizations, and you to make a difference.
This zoning work will not happen in a vacuum and there will be opportunities for public participation and engagement. On Monday, March 25, at 5:30 p.m., the city will host a public workshop, “Identifying Locations for MBTA Communities Districts,” in collaboration with RKG Associates to hear from residents and start thinking through potential compliant zoning scenarios. Recognizing the diverse opinions within our community regarding this mandate, I encourage respectful and open dialogue. Community involvement is crucial during this planning process, and I extend an invitation to all community members to participate, stay informed, and contribute to the planning process.
I have confidence in the capabilities of our Community Development and Planning Department staff, Planning Board members, and City Council members to work together toward compliance in a way that works for our city and its unique needs and identity. It is imperative that our community stays informed and engaged throughout this journey.
I urge everyone to stay connected through the city’s website and social media platforms for updates on public meetings, hearings, and events related to this planning process. I asked you to get engaged on Jan. 1 — I recognize that this is a really important piece of making the change for our future — and we need you to be a part of it.