Jekyll2023-10-12T15:21:46-04:00https://menotomymatters.com/feed.xmlMenotomy MattersMaking sense of Arlington town government, one source document or issue at a time.Shane Curcurushane@menotomymatters.comARB Warrant Articles Reviews2023-09-19T00:00:00-04:002023-09-19T00:00:00-04:00https://menotomymatters.com/townhall/mbta-udpates3<p>Let me explain what has happened… no, there is too much, let me sum up. The Working Group is done; now the ARB is writing the actual warrant articles in the next two weeks to submit to Special Town Meeting. There is very little chance for the average citizen to make substantiative changes at this point, without understanding how warrant motions work at STM.</p>
<h2 id="whats-happening-now">What’s Happening Now?</h2>
<p>The ARB <a href="https://www.arlingtonma.gov/Home/Components/Calendar/Event/32580/">met recently Monday 18-September</a> to continue updating their warrant articles. <em>This page will be updated once meeting minutes or other reports are available.</em></p>
<p>ARB meets again <a href="https://www.arlingtonma.gov/Home/Components/Calendar/Event/32581/">Monday 2-October</a> to make any final adjustments or recommendations on any zoning articles to be submitted to STM. Once their and any other town board recommendations are ready, the official warrant will be posted.</p>
<p><em>After that</em>, it’s up to Town Meeting Members to propose whatever other substitute or similar motions for submitted warrant articles.</p>
<p>Special Town Meeting <a href="https://www.arlingtonma.gov/town-governance/town-meeting">starts 17-October</a>, and given the number of articles and passion about these issues, will likely take several sessions. Town Meeting members will have a chance to vote on all warrant articles, however history shows that articles with town board approvals (from Select board or ARB) will often be passed.</p>
<h2 id="the-arb-is-writing-multiple-zoning-warrant-articles">The ARB Is Writing Multiple Zoning Warrant Articles</h2>
<p>After the ARB’s 11-Sep giant <a href="https://menotomymatters.com/townhall/mbta-udpates2/">meeting to review the WG report and deal with public comment</a>, the ARB and (presumably) the town planning department have been busy writing individual draft warrant articles for STM. The Working Group could only recommend plans; what actually appears before STM is up to the ARB to write. Much of this process will be done by the ARB itself with limited public comment. Those familiar with Town Meeting procedures will obviously have opportunities to try submitting substitute motions or the like later.</p>
<h3 id="arb-draft-zoning-articles">ARB Draft Zoning Articles</h3>
<h4 id="warrant-article-a---multi-family-residential-overlay-districts"><a href="https://www.arlingtonma.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/66783">Warrant Article A - Multi-Family Residential Overlay Districts</a></h4>
<p>This file <em>230906_MBTAC_zoning_articl.pdf</em> is currently identical to the WG’s recommended bylaw changes edited 6-Sep, although the filename has changed. However this does not specify which alternative map version from the WG is being used.</p>
<p>Download the full text of <a href="https://www.arlingtonma.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/66781/638306276967011245">Warrant Articles B-J - Business Districts</a> <em>20230918 2023 Fall TM zoni.pdf</em></p>
<h4 id="article-b-zoning-bylaw-amendment-open-space-in-business-districts">ARTICLE B ZONING BYLAW AMENDMENT/ OPEN SPACE IN BUSINESS DISTRICTS</h4>
<p>To see if the Town will vote to amend the Zoning Bylaw to update Section 2 DEFINITIONS, Section 5.3.21 SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS IN THE BUSINESS AND INDUSTRIAL DISTRICTS, Section 5.3.22 GROSS FLOOR AREA, and Section 5.5.2 DIMENSIONAL AND DENSITY REQUIREMENTS <strong>to modify the requirements for landscaped and usable open space in the Business Zoning Districts</strong>;…</p>
<h4 id="article-c-zoning-bylaw-amendment-rear-yard-setbacks-in-business-districts">ARTICLE C ZONING BYLAW AMENDMENT/ REAR YARD SETBACKS IN BUSINESS DISTRICTS</h4>
<p>To see if the Town will vote to amend the Zoning Bylaw to update Section 5.5.2. DIMENSIONAL AND DENSITY REQUIREMENTS to <strong>reduce the rear yard setback or to allow for a variable rear yard setback</strong> and establish the criteria for such requirements for any use in the Business Districts;…</p>
<h4 id="article-d-zoning-bylaw-amendment-step-back-requirements-in-business-districts">ARTICLE D ZONING BYLAW AMENDMENT/ STEP BACK REQUIREMENTS IN BUSINESS DISTRICTS</h4>
<p>To see if the Town will vote to amend the Zoning Bylaw to update Section 2 DEFINITIONS and Section 5 DISTRICT REGULATIONS to <strong>clarify and adjust the upper-story building step back</strong> to begin at a higher story, clarify the measurement shall be from the principal property line, specify the applicable façades of a building for which the step back is required, and allow for an exemption for smaller parcels for buildings subject to Environmental Design Review with certain exceptions;…</p>
<h4 id="article-e-zoning-bylaw-amendment-reduced-height-buffer-area">ARTICLE E ZONING BYLAW AMENDMENT/ REDUCED HEIGHT BUFFER AREA</h4>
<p>To see if the Town will vote to amend the Zoning Bylaw to update Section 5.5.2. DIMENSIONAL AND DENSITY REQUIREMENTS to <strong>reduce the rear yard setback or to allow for a variable rear yard setback</strong> and establish the criteria for such requirements for any use in the Business Districts;…</p>
<h4 id="article-f-zoning-bylaw-amendmentcorner-lot-requirements">ARTICLE F ZONING BYLAW AMENDMENT/CORNER LOT REQUIREMENTS</h4>
<p>To see if the Town will vote to amend Section 5.3.8 CORNER LOTS AND THROUGH LOTS to <strong>amend the requirement for corner lots</strong> in all Business Districts which requires the minimum street yard to be equal to the required front yard depth;…</p>
<h4 id="article-g-zoning-bylaw-amendment--height-and-story-minimums-in-business-districts">ARTICLE G ZONING BYLAW AMENDMENT / HEIGHT AND STORY MINIMUMS IN BUSINESS DISTRICTS</h4>
<p>To see if the Town will vote to amend Section 5.5.2 DIMENSIONAL AND DENSITY REGULATIONS to <strong>add a requirement for a minimum height and number of stories</strong> in all Business Districts with exceptions;…</p>
<h4 id="article-h-zoning-bylaw-amendment--administrative-correction">ARTICLE H ZONING BYLAW AMENDMENT / ADMINISTRATIVE CORRECTION</h4>
<p>To see if the Town will vote to amend the Zoning Bylaw to make the following <strong>administrative correction</strong>: Amend Section 5.9.2.C.(4), Accessory Dwelling Units Administration, to correct a reference it makes to a re-lettered subsection of Section 8.1.3;…</p>
<h4 id="article-i-zoning-bylaw-amendment--residential-uses-in-business-districts">ARTICLE I ZONING BYLAW AMENDMENT / RESIDENTIAL USES IN BUSINESS DISTRICTS</h4>
<p>To see if the Town will vote to amend the zoning bylaw to <strong>alter the use categories</strong> of a residential single family home, duplex, or two family home in any of the Business Districts;…</p>
<h4 id="article-j-zoning-bylaw-amendment--street-trees">ARTICLE J ZONING BYLAW AMENDMENT / STREET TREES</h4>
<p>To see if the Town will vote to amend the zoning bylaw to <strong>require a street tree to be planted for every 25 feet</strong> of street frontage for all developments;…</p>
<h2 id="confused-read-this-simple-explainer">Confused? Read This Simple Explainer</h2>
<p>Resident Gina Sonder has written a <a href="/townhall/mbta-explainer/">simple essay on what the MBTA Communities law is about</a>, and briefly how Arlington is dealing with it.</p>
<h2 id="full-mbta-issues-list">Full MBTA Issues List</h2>
<p>See my comprehensive list of <a href="/issues/mbtacommunity">all MBTA Communities Working Group materials</a>, notes, maps, and news reports.</p>Shane Curcurushane@menotomymatters.comNext steps: ARB writes and updates articles for STM.MBTA Explainer In Plain Language2023-09-16T00:00:00-04:002023-09-16T00:00:00-04:00https://menotomymatters.com/townhall/mbta-explainer<p><strong>Gina Sonder</strong> has written a great plan-language explainer of what the recent state law known as “MBTA Communities” is all about, and how the law affects Arlington. Reprinted here with helpful links added by permission.</p>
<h2 id="mbta-communities-and-what-it-means--an-explainer-for-arlington-residents">MBTA Communities and what it means – an explainer for Arlington Residents</h2>
<h3 id="what-is-this-new-state-law">What Is This New State Law?</h3>
<p>Along with <a href="https://www.mass.gov/info-details/multi-family-zoning-requirement-for-mbta-communities#what-is-an-%22mbta-community%22?-">176 other towns and cities</a> in the Boston-Metro region with MBTA service, Arlington is mandated by the State to create a plan that would allow property owners to build midsize housing without the need to first apply for and be granted a special “Multi-Family” or “Townhouse” or “Apartment Building” permit.</p>
<p>This mandate, the <a href="https://www.mass.gov/info-details/multi-family-zoning-requirement-for-mbta-communities">MBTA Communities Zoning Law</a> for Multi-Family Residential Districts under Massachusetts General Law Chapter 40 Section 3(A) has been abbreviated to “MBTA-C” in this document.</p>
<p>The State defines “Multi-Family Residential” housing to buildings containing 3 or more Dwelling Units <em>(DUs)</em>. For the purpose of MBTA-C, these units must be a mix of configurations and sizes (ie: studios, 1,2,3+ bedroom apartments, condos, townhouses.) The law aims to increase housing choice for all ages, abilities, and family sizes, near public transit.</p>
<h3 id="what-must-towns-do">What Must Towns Do?</h3>
<p>Towns are tasked with creating a designated area or district where Multi-Family housing would be allowed, <em>without</em> the need for a special permit. The area could be a single district or several sub-districts. The <a href="https://www.mass.gov/info-details/section-3a-guidelines">MBTA-C guidelines require</a> 50% of the zoned area and buildable units to be in a single District. Sub-districts must be at least 5 acres.</p>
<p>Arlington is required to identify and designate a minimum of 32 acres, averaging a minimum of 15 dwellings per-acre, with the ability to develop a minimum of 2046 units of multi-family housing on that designated land. Nothing actually needs to be built within a set time-frame to comply with the law.</p>
<p>This stipulated 2046 DU number is not added to the houses currently existing on lots, but a theoretical model of what could be built on those lots if owners choose to add or replace what exists. Because Arlington is a fully built up town, without undeveloped parcels of land for an MBTA-C zone, the DU “capacity” represents the size and amount of building allowed as if the designated lots were vacant.</p>
<p>For example, if the Town designates a district <em>currently</em> with 2000 dwellings and zones it for a capacity of 7000 DUs (+3x compliance,) if fully developed sometime in the <em>future</em>, the net result would be an additional 5000 dwelling units in that district.</p>
<h3 id="how-does-the-law-affect-housing-affordability">How Does The Law Affect Housing Affordability?</h3>
<p>The MBTA-C mandate aims to address housing choice in what is called the “missing middle” (buildings like triple-deckers, townhouses, 4-plexes, courtyard buildings) the category between large apartment buildings and single and two family residences. MBTA-C gives owners the ability to build this type of midsize housing “by-right,” without the need for a special permit.</p>
<p>Although affordability is a stated aim, the MBTA-C law is not an affordable housing production plan. With increased supply of housing stock and affordable units set at a 1 in 10 ratio per project, the current law does not address affordability in a meaningful way for our neighborhoods. Only large lots on Mass Ave and Broadway could be built with 10 or more units to trigger the requirement for affordable units. In addition, the MBTA-C threshold for renters and buyers is for persons making 80% Area Median Income <em>(AMI)</em>.</p>
<p>Arlington’s own Zoning ByLaws are <a href="https://www.arlingtonma.gov/departments/planning-community-development/affordable-housing-in-arlington">already more inclusive than state guidelines</a>; Arlington requires that 15% of units (1 in 6 units) be affordable to renters making 60% AMI and buyers making 70-80% AMI.</p>
<p>Arlington will be submitting an economic feasibility study to the State <em>(EOHED)</em> seeking the ability to increase the affordability ratio in our MBTA-C District to match the Town’s own 15% ratio. Until changes are approved by the State, Arlington can only require affordable units be supplied at the State’s 10% ratio.</p>
<p>The MBTA-C towns <strong>must</strong> adhere to the guidelines developed by the State’s Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities [EOHLC] (formerly the state DHCD). MBTA-C guidelines are new and, therefore, subject to change over time as more towns develop plans for their districts and the region sees the results in the Metro-Boston communities.</p>
<h3 id="what-else-can-arlington-do-about-housing-opinion-by-gina-sonder">What Else Can Arlington Do About Housing? <em>Opinion by Gina Sonder</em></h3>
<p>The MBTA-C mandate is just one way Arlington can increase housing options.</p>
<p>The Town of Arlington can develop and revise its own Zoning ByLaws to increase multi-family homes and a vibrant business district in tandem with the required MBTA-C overlay districts to fulfill our housing choice and sustainability goals.</p>
<p>Arlington’s Zoning Bylaws are not constrained by MBTA-C rules. The Town can choose to go far beyond the mandate and create truly inclusionary zoning outside of the MBTA-C Districts.</p>
<p>Our own Zoning ByLaws are locally enforceable and can achieve our desired goals. Arlington’s housing development would be responsive to the needs of the community, not the State, and would be subject to Town requirements and plan review.</p>
<p>While the Town needs to comply with MBTA-C under its current guidelines, to become the more inclusive, more affordable, more sustainable, and more business-friendly town that a majority of citizens want, this author believes that Arlington should pass a modest plan that meets compliance requirements, benefit from the programs eligible to towns that pass Town Meeting this year, and move ahead to focus on updating its own missing middle Zoning Bylaws to achieve the welcoming sustainable community we all desire.</p>
<p><em>Above text by Gina Sonder, reprinted with permission</em></p>
<h2 id="full-mbta-issues-list">Full MBTA Issues List</h2>
<p>See a comprehensive list of <a href="/issues/mbtacommunity">all MBTA Communities Working Group materials</a>, notes, maps, and news reports.</p>Shane Curcurushane@menotomymatters.comA plain-language explainer about the MBTA communities law and Arlington - By Gina SonderMBTA Communities FINAL Plans & Maps2023-08-31T00:00:00-04:002023-08-31T00:00:00-04:00https://menotomymatters.com/townhall/mbta-udpates2<p class="notice--warning"><strong>NEW!</strong> Read the <a href="https://menotomymatters.com/townhall/mbta-udpates3/?up">latest updates on MBTA Communities</a>!</p>
<p>Plenty of changes have been discussed and decided at recent WG meetings. While official meeting minutes take time to post, several helpful Arlingtonians have been collecting materials at meetings or making public records requests to get the latest scoop!</p>
<h2 id="arb-meeting-11-september-discussed-changes">ARB Meeting 11-September Discussed Changes</h2>
<p>The ARB had a <strong>long</strong> meeting to discuss their regular agenda as well as the WG report, including <em>dozens</em> public comments in person and over 50 comments via email.</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://arlington.novusagenda.com/agendapublic/DisplayAgendaPDF.ashx?MeetingID=1913">Download the 208pp ARB Agenda</a> or <a href="https://arlington.novusagenda.com/agendapublic/DisplayAgendaPDF.ashx?MeetingID=1913">read the ARB agenda online</a>.</li>
<li>View just the <a href="https://arlington.novusagenda.com/agendapublic/CoverSheet.aspx?ItemID=16564&MeetingID=1913">dozens of public comment emails</a> sent before the meeting.</li>
<li>Your Arlington has <a href="https://yourarlington.com/arlington-archives/town-school/planning/21641-mbta-091123.html">early coverage of the contentious meeting</a> which included disruptions.</li>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Tr8gI0l7p0">Watch the ACMi 3 hour video</a> of the ARB meeting.</li>
</ul>
<p>Public comment was lengthy and loud, as well as a long list of written comments. While the ARB has said they will read all comments, a couple of sources in town have <em>roughly</em> categorized the comments as pro or con to the current proposals:</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://yourarlington.com/arlington-archives/town-school/planning/21656-arbmbta-091723.html">Your Arlington coverage</a> tracked public comments during the meeting as 20 in favor; 27 opposed or questioning.</li>
<li>Another resident got similar results for verbal comments, and also read written comments in the agenda: 12 in favor; 42 opposed; and 3 other comments with questions.</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="wg-final-comprehensive-report">WG Final Comprehensive Report</h2>
<p>The <a href="https://www.arlingtonma.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/66621/638295974594270000">WG issued a 51 page report</a> detailing their process, the surveys, all the various map versions, and the decisions made during the process. This is a must-read for anyone wishing to understand how the town has approached and worked on this process.</p>
<h2 id="updated-zoning-regulations-details">Updated Zoning Regulations Details</h2>
<p>The final <a href="https://www.arlingtonma.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/66579/638296112612334760">Working Group’s proposed Zoning Bylaw Amendment</a> <em>(PDF, 4pp, official town document updated 6-Sep)</em> is now available. This document will be discussed at the 11-Sep ARB meeting to get the final language ready, and for the ARB to provide a recommendation to Special Town Meeting. While reading Zoning regulations requires a lot of patience, these specific proposed regulations give a good sense of what to expect at TMM.</p>
<h2 id="new-guidance-on-mbta-communities-compliance">New Guidance On MBTA Communities Compliance</h2>
<p>On 17-August, the state EOHLC issued an <a href="https://www.mass.gov/doc/summary-of-changes-to-mbta-communities-guidelines-081723/download">updated Compliance Guidelines Memo</a> that lays out more specific criteria that final plans must meet. This memo lays out several ways that communities with “village-style or downtown” districts can amend their plans to find ways to include more ground-level non-residential components in various ways. The EOHLC aslo includes a list of several state grant programs that may be used or may be valuable when complying with the law.</p>
<p>On 29-August, <a href="https://www.arlingtonma.gov/departments/planning-community-development">Arlington’s Director of planning, Claire Ricker</a>, issued a memo about <a href="https://www.arlingtonma.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/66581">Updated MBTA Communities Guidelines</a> with specific explanations of how updates affect Arlington. In general, the recent state updates and additional grant programs are reported to work well with the existing plans the WG is proposing.</p>
<h2 id="new-alternative-1-maps-and-compliance-worksheet">New Alternative 1 Maps And Compliance Worksheet</h2>
<p>The WG has come up with two alternative maps to send to the ARB, and is also reportedly in the process of sending both maps and compliance worksheets to the state, to <strong>test</strong> if they would be acceptable to the state to comply with the law. Here are the two alternatives being proposed (with a decision not yet made).</p>
<p><strong>Alternative 1</strong> has five districts with an extended Heights district stretching towards Lexington, and a total of 7,391 total unit capacity. The <strong>FINAL PDF of the <a href="https://www.arlingtonma.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/66583/638290929702230000">Alternative 1 Map Plan</a></strong> is posted, including <a href="https://arlingtonma-my.sharepoint.com/:x:/g/personal/jenniferjs_town_arlington_ma_us/EVLGZnEmcyhGlmlpAUetBDIBmvMM_6QJS-IgDtaCbFUe4g?e=UC2hv7">GIS shape data files</a>.</p>
<h3 id="alternative-1---east-arlington-map">Alternative 1 - East Arlington Map</h3>
<figure>
<a href="/assets/docs/Alternative1_EastArlington.png"><img src="/assets/docs/Alternative1_EastArlington-800.png" alt="Draft Zoning Map for East Arlington, alternative 1" /></a>
<a href="/assets/docs/Alternative1_EastArlington.png"><figcaption>East Arlington - alternative 1 - click for full size</figcaption></a>
</figure>
<h3 id="alternative-1---arlington-heights-map">Alternative 1 - Arlington Heights Map</h3>
<figure>
<a href="/assets/docs/Alternative1_Heights.png"><img src="/assets/docs/Alternative1_Heights-800.png" alt="Draft Zoning Map for Arlington Heights, alternative 1" /></a>
<a href="/assets/docs/Alternative1_Heights.png"><figcaption>Arlington Heights - alternative 1 - click for full size</figcaption></a>
</figure>
<h2 id="new-alternative-2-maps-and-compliance-worksheet">New Alternative 2 Maps And Compliance Worksheet</h2>
<p>This is the second alternative set of maps the WG is considering.</p>
<p><strong>Alternative 2</strong> has four districts, dropping the extension in the Heights, and a total of 6,766 total unit capacity. The <strong>FINAL PDF of the <a href="https://www.arlingtonma.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/66585/638290929950500000">Alternative 2 Map Plan</a></strong> is posted, including <a href="https://arlingtonma-my.sharepoint.com/:x:/g/personal/jenniferjs_town_arlington_ma_us/ERjlrMFiZEVGgON0IHdb1DUB4lmcuz9clm8ajtKxrEad1A?e=0Hoebm">GIS shape data files</a>.</p>
<h3 id="alternative-2---east-arlington-map">Alternative 2 - East Arlington Map</h3>
<figure>
<a href="/assets/docs/Alternative2_EastArlington.png"><img src="/assets/docs/Alternative2_EastArlington-800.png" alt="Draft Zoning Map for East Arlington, alternative 2" /></a>
<a href="/assets/docs/Alternative2_EastArlington.png"><figcaption>East Arlington - alternative 2 - click for full size</figcaption></a>
</figure>
<h3 id="alternative-2---arlington-heights-map">Alternative 2 - Arlington Heights Map</h3>
<figure>
<a href="/assets/docs/Alternative2_Heights.png"><img src="/assets/docs/Alternative2_Heights-800.png" alt="Draft Zoning Map for Arlington Heights, alternative 2" /></a>
<a href="/assets/docs/Alternative2_Heights.png"><figcaption>Arlington Heights - alternative 2 - click for full size</figcaption></a>
</figure>
<h2 id="full-mbta-issues-list">Full MBTA Issues List</h2>
<p>See my comprehensive <a href="/mbta-updates1">listing by date of all meeting materials and reports</a>, or find links to <a href="/issues/mbtacommunity">all MBTA Communities Working Group materials</a>, notes, maps, and news reports.</p>Shane Curcurushane@menotomymatters.comLatest copies of draft maps and detailed plans.MBTA Communities Mid-August Updates2023-08-14T00:00:00-04:002023-08-14T00:00:00-04:00https://menotomymatters.com/townhall/mbta-udpates1<p class="notice--warning"><strong>NEW!</strong> Read the <a href="https://menotomymatters.com/townhall/mbta-udpates3/?up">latest updates on MBTA Communities</a>!</p>
<p>The MBTA Communities Working Group (WG) has been covering a lot of ground in recent meetings, and it’s hard to keep track of what the most recent decisions are. Thankfully several Arlington residents have been taking detailed unofficial minutes of meetings lately. To help folks understand the context of different meetings, we’ve arranged all the information about each meeting together here.</p>
<h2 id="october-17th-special-town-meeting">October 17th Special Town Meeting</h2>
<p>After the WG makes a recommendation, and the ARB reviews it, final decisions will be made at the <a href="https://www.arlingtonma.gov/Home/Components/Calendar/Event/32645/3784?backlist=%2ftown-governance%2ftown-meeting">Special Town Meeting starting 17-October</a>.</p>
<h2 id="september-11th-arlington-redevelopment-board-hearing">September 11th Arlington Redevelopment Board Hearing</h2>
<p>The ARB plans to review recommendations from the WG at their <a href="https://www.arlingtonma.gov/Home/Components/Calendar/Event/32574/264?backlist=%2ftown-governance%2fboards-and-committees%2fredevelopment-board">normal 11-September meeting</a>, so expect a lot of changes and finalizations in the next couple of weeks.</p>
<h2 id="august-29th-wg-meeting">August 29th WG Meeting</h2>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.arlingtonma.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/66541">Official 29-August Meeting Agenda</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.arlingtonma.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/66573/638289876844016771">Report and analysis of the July WG Survey</a> - this detailed 88 page PDF provides both analyses and full responses of the July survey.
<ul>
<li>Official Meeting Minutes are <em>not yet posted</em>.</li>
<li><a href="https://yourarlington.com/arlington-archives/town-school/planning/21619-mbta-082923.html">Your Arlington news coverage</a>, detailing various petitions brought forth and the moderation of earlier plans during this meeting - a very detailed article!</li>
<li><a href="https://blog-arfrr.blogspot.com/2023/08/what-happened-at-august-29th-working.html">ARFRR group meeting notes</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="august-15th-wg-meeting">August 15th WG Meeting</h2>
<ul>
<li>Official <a href="https://www.arlingtonma.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/66407">15-August Meeting Agenda</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.arlingtonma.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/66449">UTILE’s presentation slides</a>, titled “8/15 Draft HCA Districts Update”.</li>
<li><strong>NEW!</strong> <a href="https://www.arlingtonma.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/66453">15-August Draft Map</a> has major updates since the 25-July map, and includes updated draft calculations on housing numbers.</li>
<li>Official Meeting Minutes are <em>not yet posted</em>.
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.arlingtonma.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/66571/638289876301352766">Meeting summary from the WG</a> includes discussion and details of votes taken.</li>
<li><a href="https://www.srevilak.net/wiki/MBTA_Communities_Working_Group_-_Aug_15th,_2023">Meeting Notes by Steve Revilak</a>.</li>
<li><a href="https://blog-arfrr.blogspot.com/2023/08/what-happened-at-august-15th-7pm-mbta.html">ARFRR group meeting notes</a>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="august-8th-wg-meeting">August 8th WG Meeting</h2>
<p>Reviewing the personal (and unofficial) meeting notes from attendees was immensely helpful, and show the complexity of proposals being made.</p>
<ul>
<li>Official <a href="https://www.arlingtonma.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/66351/638267432792200000">8-August Meeting Agenda</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.arlingtonma.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/66387/638271857519713841">UTILE’s presentation slides</a> titled “Arlington 3A Zoning District Scenarios” shows three separate change ideas for the existing 25-July base map.</li>
<li><a href="https://www.arlingtonma.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/66215/638258738820870000">Draft 25-July Base Map</a> is still the only comprehensive map published.</li>
<li>Official Meeting Minutes are <em>not yet posted</em>.
<ul>
<li><a href="/notes/mbta-kanderson-20230808">Meeting Notes by Kristin Anderson</a> with several questions and calls to action.</li>
<li><a href="/notes/mbta-ccarney-20230808">Meeting Notes by Chuck Carney</a> have detailed tables of questions and responses at the meeting.</li>
<li><a href="https://www.srevilak.net/wiki/MBTA_Communities_Working_Group_-_Aug_8th,_2023">Meeting Notes by Steve Revilak</a> are as detailed about the running discussion as ever.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="august-1st-wg-meeting">August 1st WG Meeting</h2>
<p>The WG Reviewed several important new documents put out by town departments.</p>
<ul>
<li>Official <a href="https://www.arlingtonma.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/66306/638261393254470000">1-August Meeting Agenda</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.arlingtonma.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/66334/638266615683200000">Affordable Housing Bonus Memo</a>, 31-July: Details of bonus height bonus related to additional %age of affordable housing.</li>
<li><a href="https://www.arlingtonma.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/66336/638266615980100000">Criteria For Environmental Bonus Memo</a>, 31-July: Planing dept recommends using the <a href="https://www.sustainablesites.org/">SITES rating system</a>.</li>
<li><a href="https://www.arlingtonma.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/66332/638266616350270000">DPCD Zoning Recommendations Memo</a>, 28-July: Planning dept new recommendations; 15ft front setback; bonus size criteria.</li>
<li><a href="https://www.arlingtonma.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/66215/638258738820870000">Draft 25-July Base Map</a> is still used.</li>
<li>Official <a href="https://www.arlingtonma.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/66389/638272579272358654">1-August Meeting Summary</a>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.srevilak.net/wiki/MBTA_Communities_Working_Group_-_Aug_1st,_2023">Meeting Notes by Steve Revilak</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="july-25th-wg-meeting">July 25th WG Meeting</h2>
<ul>
<li>Current <a href="https://www.arlingtonma.gov/Home/Components/News/News/12760/16">Working Group</a> status <em>(25-July)</em>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.arlingtonma.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/66215/638258738820870000">Draft zoning overlay map</a></li>
<li><a href="https://youtu.be/w9sbyDisRLU">Meeting slides</a></li>
<li><a href="https://youtu.be/w9sbyDisRLU">Meeting video</a></li>
<li><a href="https://yourarlington.com/arlington-archives/town-school/planning/21576-housing-072623.html">Your Arlington news story on 25-July meeting</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.srevilak.net/wiki/MBTA_Communities_Working_Group_-_Jul_25th,_2023">Stephen Revilak’s unofficial meeting notes on 25-July meeting</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Arlington’s <a href="https://www.arlingtonma.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/64400/638146389498930000">submitted Action Plan</a> (high level)</li>
<li>
<h2 id="mbta-communities-resources">MBTA Communities Resources</h2>
</li>
</ul>
<p>There has been a <strong>LOT</strong> of discussion in town on this complex topic. If you’re interested in learning more facts about the law, and seeing what the Arlington Working Group has actually been doing, <strong>read</strong> the <a href="/issues/mbtacommunity">Issues Guide To MBTA Communities</a>. The Issues Guide includes <a href="/issues/mbtacommunity">links to all WG meetings</a>, news stories, mapping tools, and more.</p>Shane Curcurushane@menotomymatters.comUpdated links to recent meeting minutes and mapsMBTA Communities Working Group2023-07-31T00:00:00-04:002023-07-31T00:00:00-04:00https://menotomymatters.com/townhall/mbta-communities<p class="notice--warning"><strong>NEW!</strong> Read the <a href="https://menotomymatters.com/townhall/mbta-udpates3/?up">latest updates on MBTA Communities</a>!</p>
<p>The new <a href="https://www.mass.gov/mbtacommunities">MBTA Communities law</a>, now requires 177 towns or cities in MA to have at least one zoning district that allows multi-family housing permitted by right, along with other requirements. <a href="https://www.mass.gov/info-details/multi-family-zoning-requirement-for-mbta-communities#what-is-an-%22mbta-community%22?-">MBTA Communities</a> are those that either have major MBTA train, subway, or bus stops or are adjacent to major stops. While the state legislature passed the changes to Section 3A of MGL c. 40A in 2021, implementation details at state and local levels have continued to be worked on. Now in summer 2023 are the final local public comment periods in Arlington to decide <a href="/issues/mbtacommunity">how our town will comply</a> with the new law.</p>
<p>As a major change to zoning laws, this is generating significant controversy in town. The <a href="https://www.arlingtonma.gov/Home/Components/News/News/12760/16">Arlington MBTA communities working group</a> has had numerous public meetings, along with many versions of proposed updated zoning maps. Here’s an overview of some facts and <a href="https://yourarlington.com/arlington-archives/town-school/planning.html">Your Arlington news coverage</a>.</p>
<h2 id="arlington-wg-current-status">Arlington WG Current Status</h2>
<ul>
<li>Current <a href="https://www.arlingtonma.gov/Home/Components/News/News/12760/16">Working Group</a> status <em>(25-July)</em>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.arlingtonma.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/66215/638258738820870000">Draft zoning overlay map</a></li>
<li><a href="https://youtu.be/w9sbyDisRLU">Meeting slides</a></li>
<li><a href="https://youtu.be/w9sbyDisRLU">Meeting video</a></li>
<li><a href="https://yourarlington.com/arlington-archives/town-school/planning/21576-housing-072623.html">Your Arlington news story on 25-July meeting</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.srevilak.net/wiki/MBTA_Communities_Working_Group_-_Jul_25th,_2023">Stephen Revilak’s unofficial meeting notes on 25-July meeting</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Arlington’s <a href="https://www.arlingtonma.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/64400/638146389498930000">submitted Action Plan</a> (high level)
<h2 id="mbta-communities-resources">MBTA Communities Resources</h2>
</li>
</ul>
<p>There has been a <strong>LOT</strong> of discussion in town on this complex topic. If you’re interested in learning more facts about the law, and seeing what the Arlington Working Group has actually been doing, <strong>read</strong> the <a href="/issues/mbtacommunity">Issues Guide To MBTA Communities</a>. The Issues Guide includes <a href="/issues/mbtacommunity">links to all WG meetings</a>, news stories, mapping tools, and more.</p>Shane Curcurushane@menotomymatters.comResources to learn about MBTA-related zoning changes in ArlingtonTown Meeting Humor2023-05-16T00:00:00-04:002023-05-16T00:00:00-04:00https://menotomymatters.com/townmeeting/town-meeting-humor<p>Reviewing <a href="https://www.arlingtonma.gov/town-governance/town-meeting">Town Meeting 2023 records</a> I read the detailed official voting records of each session. Much to my surprise, I saw votes on right triangles in Euclidian space? What? Redefining geometry itself seems like a bit of a stretch for Arlington TMM members, although little would surprise me there.</p>
<h2 id="arlington-votes-on-free-speech-triangles-stenography">Arlington Votes On Free Speech, Triangles, Stenography</h2>
<p>Did you know that Arlington’s official town meeting vote summaries includes these questions?</p>
<ol>
<li>Will the Town Meeting finish in five nights? <em>(motion fails: Yes: 101, No: 102, Abstain: 11)</em></li>
<li>Do you enjoy discussing budgets? <em>(motion passes: Yes: 122, No: 71, Abstain: 19)</em></li>
<li>Are there more precincts in Arlington than [keys] on a stenographic keyboard? <em>(motion passes, even though it’s not true: Yes: 99, No: 87, Abstain: 21)</em></li>
<li>I support free speech for people I disagree with. <em>(motion passes: Yes: 202, No: 7, Abstain: 13)</em></li>
<li>The square of the hypotenuse of a right triangle is equal to the sum of the squares of the other two sides in a Euclidian 2-space. <em>(motion passes: Yes: 143, No: 81, Abstain: 0)</em></li>
<li>Tonight will be the final night of 2023 annual town meeting. <em>(motion passes: Yes: 193, No: 8, Abstain: 2)</em></li>
</ol>
<p>At first I thought this was someone in the IT department checking to see if anyone actually reads the <a href="https://www.arlingtonma.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/65331/638188078158030000">Electronic Voting Reports</a>. But I realized these are just the test votes used to ensure that the remote keypads each TMM uses to vote on articles is working.</p>
<p><a href="https://youtu.be/Qwo5jqrjO_M?list=PLztbi9KA9roVEhX9eU23jGuYZrNp9s3Ly&t=1239">Watch the TM Moderator showing their stenography chops</a> when discussing the test vote one night.</p>
<h2 id="about-new-england-town-meeting">About New England Town Meeting</h2>
<p>Read more about the traditions and culture behind New England Town Meetings, a rich history of direct democracy stretching back to the first colonies.</p>
<ul>
<li>Start with the <a href="https://massmoderators.org/for-the-public/">Massachusetts Moderators Association</a>, which publishes the de facto guides to how TMMs actually work.</li>
<li>Wikipedia has a surprisingly <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Town_meeting">detailed article discussing how different states do TM</a>.</li>
<li>New England Historical Society tracks the <a href="https://newenglandhistoricalsociety.com/oldest-town-meeting-6-states/">oldest town meetings by state</a>, where of course Plymouth claims the first (although Dorchester had a claim too). Who knew it wasn’t until 1715 that the Commonwealth started requiring TM to elect a moderator!</li>
<li><a href="https://arlingtonhistorical.org/town-meetings-in-the-northwest-precinct-of-cambridge-1736-1795/">Early Menotomy / Northwest Cambridge town meetings</a> are cataloged at the Arlington Historical Society.</li>
<li><a href="https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/R/bo3641466.html">Real Democracy: New England Town Meeting And How It Works</a> is a scholarly investigation of how TMM actually works over three decades across New England.</li>
</ul>Shane Curcurushane@menotomymatters.comWho knew Town Meeting voting could be so fun?Town Meeting 2023 Recap2023-05-15T00:00:00-04:002023-05-15T00:00:00-04:00https://menotomymatters.com/townmeeting/town-meeting-2023<p>The 2023 Annual Town Meeting began <a href="https://www.arlingtonma.gov/town-governance/town-meeting">Monday, April 24, 2023</a>, returning once again to an in-person traditional meeting. Seating was expanded outside of the traditional auditorium to include a balcony area, and also a satellite room with bidirectional video and audio for TMMs concerned with COVID exposure. Town meeting was ended after 7 sessions on May 15th</p>
<p>View the town’s <a href="https://www.arlingtonma.gov/town-governance/town-meeting/2023-town-meeting-warrant">annotated 2023 Town Meeting Warrant</a> or <a href="https://www.arlingtonma.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/64129/638145524865870000">2023 TMM PDF download</a>.</p>
<p>Arlington also held a Special Town Meeting on May 3rd alongside the TM to address two specific articles, voting on future hybrid meetings (in-person and remote), and voting on special legislation around police recruitment and civil service exemptions.</p>
<h2 id="what-happened-at-2023-town-meeting-in-arlington-ma">What Happened At 2023 Town Meeting in Arlington, MA</h2>
<p>This year featured <a href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/e/2PACX-1vS0O7489bHCQnvS-gxCnIU8yc6RnpMady027rx7OAoJOcCoe0167v-UjZmwFiyxcp7y4oCqspAJ9S_g/pubhtml?gid=632365380&single=true">online tracking of articles discussed and voted at each session</a>, which helps to show how TM makes progress through the entire warrant.</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vX6PMohO3tU&list=PLztbi9KA9roVEhX9eU23jGuYZrNp9s3Ly&index=7">ACMi recorded video of town meeting</a> with reports from every session</li>
<li><a href="https://yourarlington.com/arlington-archives/town-school/town-meeting/21335-tm-23.html">Your Arlington’s comprehensive recap of 2023 Town Meeting</a>, including a <a href="https://yourarlington.com/arlington-archives/town-school/town-meeting/21024-warrant-23.html">detailed list of all citizen-submitted articles</a></li>
<li><a href="https://atmnotes.blogspot.com/2023/">Christian’s ATMNotes blogs from each night of 2021 Town Meeting</a></li>
</ul>
<h2 id="what-happened-at-2023-special-town-meeting-in-arlington-ma">What Happened At 2023 Special Town Meeting in Arlington, MA</h2>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.arlingtonma.gov/town-governance/town-meeting/2023-special-town-meeting-warrant">Official STM Town Warrant</a>, annotated, or <a href="https://www.arlingtonma.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/64871/638170034252470000">PDF download</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.arlingtonma.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/65331/638188078158030000">All Votes Taken At STM</a> PDF download</li>
<li><a href="https://yourarlington.com/arlington-archives/town-school/town-meeting/21411-tm-23-4.html">Your Arlington coverage of STM</a></li>
<li><a href="https://atmnotes.blogspot.com/2023/05/2023-annual-town-meeting-night-four.html">Christian’s ATMNotes coverage of STM</a></li>
</ul>Shane Curcurushane@menotomymatters.comReturn to the traditional Town MeetingTown Election Winners In 20232023-04-02T00:00:00-04:002023-04-02T00:00:00-04:00https://menotomymatters.com/elections/town-election-winners-2023<p>Arlington voted on April 1st - no foolin! There were few surprises although some close races, and many incumbents were returned. Overall turnout was 22.3%.</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.arlingtonma.gov/town-governance/elections-voting">Official Town Election Page</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.arlingtonma.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/64777/638163962648670000">Official Town Results PDF</a></li>
<li><a href="https://yourarlington.com/arlington-archives/town-school/elections/21149-elect-23.html">Your Arlington Election 2023 news coverage</a></li>
</ul>
<h2 id="elected-official-races">Elected Official Races</h2>
<p>For the Select Board, incumbents <a href="https://digginsforselectboard.com/">Len Diggins</a> and <a href="https://dianeforselectboard.com/">Diane Mahon</a> comfortably kept their seats over <a href="https://www.leoneselectboard.com/">John Leone’s</a> challenge. On the School committee, incumbents <a href="https://www.elizabethexton.com/">Elizabeth Exton</a> and <a href="https://schlichtman.org/">Paul Schlichtman</a> returned and are joined by <a href="https://www.electlauragitelson.com/">Laura Gitelson</a>; all three had a comfortable lead over the other new challenger <a href="https://www.jillforarlingtonschools.com/">Jill Kristin Krajewski</a> who was not elected.</p>
<p>With no credible opponents, incumbents <a href="https://www.facebook.com/brazileforclerk/">Juliana Brazile</a> returns as Town Clerk, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mh9S3QtcweQ">Mary Winstanley O’Connor</a> returns to the Board of Assessors.</p>
<h2 id="town-meeting-precincts">Town Meeting Precincts</h2>
<p>In most precincts, town meeting member elections returned <a href="https://www.arlingtonma.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/64300/638144706364330000">list of TMM Candidate Statements (PDF)</a>. Looking at the details of the official town results shows that when incumbents are running, they’ll almost always return. However TMM’s sometimes leave during their terms or don’t run again, and that’s where it gets interesting.</p>
<p>While precinct elections with incumbents often aren’t competitive, ones with open seats can hinge on just a few votes. Some interesting results from the 2023 TMM elections were:</p>
<ul>
<li>Precinct 1 had a full <strong>six</strong> slots open with only two incumbents, and only five candidates on the ballot! Ballot candidates got a consistent 130 - 150 votes, while the write-in winner of Rebecca Persson collected 64 votes. It’s odd, somehow, the precinct only had a 16% turnout rate.</li>
<li>Precinct 3 had two incumbents and three newcomers for five slots - and the vote totals ranged from 187 votes to 202 votes. If this had been competitive, just a handful of votes would have changed it.</li>
<li>Precinct 6 had five slots open but <strong>only two</strong> ballot candidates, neither of them incumbents. Both candidates on the ballot were elected with 200+ votes, and two write-in winners were elected - with only two votes each!</li>
<li>Precinct 8 with a 26% turnout rate with six candidates for only 4 slots, where the difference between election cutoff was 173 votes to 160 votes.</li>
<li>Precinct 11 had a crowded field with only three incumbents on the ballot for 5 slots. All incumbents were elected with 200+ votes, and two write-in winners got in with 15 and 10 votes. But there were an astonishing <em>39 other write in candidate names</em> - hard to imagine, with only 355 people voting in total. Precinct 13 similarly had 29 other write-in names.</li>
</ul>Shane Curcurushane@menotomymatters.comRoundup of the town elections on 1 April, 2023Town Election Guide For 20232023-03-27T00:00:00-04:002023-03-27T00:00:00-04:00https://menotomymatters.com/elections/town-election-guide-2023<p>It’s time for town elections this Saturday, April 1st! For folks who still enjoy voting in person, here’s your handy list of everyone running. If you voted by mail, the state has an <a href="https://www.sec.state.ma.us/WhereDoIVoteMA/TrackMyBallot">official Track My Ballot tool</a> to see when it got to the clerk’s office.</p>
<p>Read the official <a href="https://www.arlingtonma.gov/town-governance/elections-voting">Arlington, MA Town Election page</a> and the <a href="https://yourarlington.com/arlington-archives/town-school/elections/21149-elect-23.html">Your Arlington election coverage</a>, watch the many <a href="https://acmi.tv/programs/government/election-coverage/">ACMi video interviews & debates with candidates</a>, and see the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3M3hEY2bAls">League of Women Voters candidate night</a>!</p>
<h2 id="select-board-candidates-3-years">Select Board Candidates (3 years)</h2>
<p>Watch the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJ10xgaxnxM">ACMi Select Board debate</a>.</p>
<p>Vote for not more than two candidates for Select Board:</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://digginsforselectboard.com/">Len Diggins</a> <em>(incumbent)</em> “ENGAGED ★ DETERMINED ★ INNOVATIVE” <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6zHmAVNuVY"><em>on ACMi</em></a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.leoneselectboard.com/">John Leone</a> “We Can Do Better” <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-gLA3H8vys"><em>on ACMi</em></a></li>
<li><a href="https://dianeforselectboard.com/">Diane Mahon</a> <em>(incumbent)</em> “I respectfully ask for your vote so I can continue to serve all Arlington residents.” <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71Le__jQhxE"><em>on ACMi</em></a></li>
</ul>
<h2 id="school-committee-3-years">School Committee (3 years)</h2>
<p>Watch the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDgFNBIGhE4">ACMi School Committee Debate</a> or <a href="https://yourarlington.com/arlington-archives/town-school/elections/21289-questions-032423.html">read candidate answers to ACMi questions</a>.</p>
<p>Vote for not more than three School Committee members:</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://schlichtman.org/index.html">Paul Schlichtman</a> <em>(incumbent)</em> “Experienced leadership for challenging times” <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9H5TvMOuF0I"><em>on ACMi</em></a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.elizabethexton.com/">Elizabeth Exton</a> <em>(incumbent)</em> “I want to keep serving our community to make it better.” <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bJMSCMWU8k"><em>on ACMi</em></a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.electlauragitelson.com/">Laura Gitelson</a> “Diversity, Special education, Supporting APS staff, Collaboration, Long-term planning” <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQ-0TvCNC_E"><em>on ACMi</em></a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.jillforarlingtonschools.com/">Jill Kristin Krajewski</a> “Arlington Parent - Massachusetts Teacher & Education Leader” <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xruuXDmbMVc"><em>on ACMi</em></a></li>
</ul>
<h2 id="board-of-assessors-3-years">Board Of Assessors (3 years)</h2>
<p>Vote for not more than one (or write in a name!):</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mh9S3QtcweQ">Mary Winstanley O’Connor</a> (incumbent)</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="town-clerk-3-years">Town Clerk (3 years)</h2>
<p>Vote for not more than one:</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/brazileforclerk/">Juliana Brazile</a> (incumbent)</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="town-meeting-members-by-precinct">Town Meeting Members By Precinct</h2>
<p>Various slots for town meeting are up for election in all 21 town meeting precincts.
Read the <a href="https://www.arlingtonma.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/63283/638132106560770000">official list of TMM candidates (PDF)</a> or see the whole <a href="https://www.arlingtonma.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/64300/638144706364330000">list of TMM Candidate Statements (PDF)</a> from the town website.</p>Shane Curcurushane@menotomymatters.comList of all candidates for town office on 1 April, 2023New Overnight Parking Pilot Program2023-01-31T00:00:00-05:002023-01-31T00:00:00-05:00https://menotomymatters.com/parking/overnight-parking-pilot<p>The Select Board is debating a change to Arlington’s overnight parking ban, with a possible pilot program to allow overnight parking with an annual paid permit. Since this is a <em>controversial</em> topic, here’s how you can learn more about what’s being discussed.</p>
<h2 id="timeline-of-arlingtons-parking-ban">Timeline Of Arlington’s Parking Ban</h2>
<p><a href="https://www.arlingtonma.gov/departments/police/traffic-parking/overnight-parking">Arlington’s overnight ban on parking</a> is a fact of life for long-time residents, even if it may be a surprise to some newcomers. In 2013 Town Meeting considered the overnight parking ban; but the <a href="https://yourarlington.com/arlington-archives/town-school/elections/election-2013.html">majority of voters supported keeping the ban in a nonbinding referendum</a>. Residents still span the spectrum of feelings towards the ban, from disappointment that we don’t allow street parking for renters, to cries that we don’t want to be like Somerville. However there have been folks who’ve tried to improve the parking situation for folks for a while.</p>
<p>At the start of 2023, the <a href="https://yourarlington.com/arlington-archives/town-school/selectboard/sb-011123.html">Select Board started discussing a pilot program</a> that would end the overnight parking ban, but require an annual permit to park overnight. The Select Board is continuing the discussion this week, with more <a href="https://yourarlington.com/arlington-archives/town-school/selectboard/sb-012523.html">details on how much overnight permits might cost</a>. Want to see what the Select Board said? All <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLztbi9KA9roVibSYmXmzb1iHjbR4QWwoK">meetings are recorded video on ACMi</a>.</p>
<h2 id="local-perspectives-on-overnight-parking">Local Perspectives On Overnight Parking</h2>
<p>Who else has an overnight parking ban? See <a href="/comparable/">parking data on comparable towns to Arlington</a>, which shows that:</p>
<ul>
<li>Belmont, Brookline, and Winchester each ban overnight parking</li>
<li>Stoneham, Watertown, and Lexington ban winter overnight parking (December to April, typically)</li>
<li>Melrose requires a resident permit for $120 annually</li>
<li>Medford, Milton, Cambridge, and Somerville each require annual resident permits under $40 annually; parts of Reading do as well</li>
<li>Natick, Needham, and North Reading do not restrict overnight parking</li>
</ul>
<p>These towns are included for comparison, either because they count as ‘<a href="/comparable/">comparable</a>’ in terms of rough size and structure, or because they are neighbors to Arlington.</p>
<h2 id="where-to-discuss-this">Where To Discuss This</h2>
<p>As expected, The Arlington List email list is all over the issue. Some residents are asking “Where is the money in this question?” and pointing at out-of-town developers who want to build denser housing in Arlington. Some neighbors who want more neighbors believe in more equitable housing options, which means more ability to park on the street. The likely Facebook groups around Arlington are also talking about this.</p>
<p>If you’ve got solid information on overnight parking changes, please let us know!</p>Shane Curcurushane@menotomymatters.comThe Select Board discusses potential changes to the overnight parking ban