One of the proposed zoning districts is the Ludlow millls site.
LUDLOW – The town’s Smart Growth Zoning Advisory Committee and the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission heard feedback Monday night on four proposed smart growth zoning districts for the town.
Chapter 40R Smart Growth zoning districts which can be adopted by communities encourage a higher concentration of housing and mixed-use commercial and industrial developments in areas with existing infrastructure to create a range of affordable housing options and spur community revitalization.
Communities that adopt Smart Growth zoning districts are eligible to receive state reimbursements.
Established in 2009, a Smart Growth Zoning Advisory Committee has identified four locations for Smart Growth zoning districts in Ludlow.
They are the Ludlow Mills, an adjacent Riverside area just over the Ludlow-Indian Orchard Bridge, an area off East Street referred to as downtown and the intersection of Holyoke and West streets known as Scott’s Corner.
Selectman Aaron Saunders said at an informational hearing on Monday that he considers it difficult to justify a Smart Growth zoning overlay district except for the Ludlow Mills site which Westmass Area Development Corp. is proposing to redevelop for industrial and commercial use.
Part of the redevelopment would include about 100 housing for the elderly units, Westmass President Kenneth W. Delude said.
Delude said Westmass is planning to bring a zoning proposal for the redevelopment of the Ludlow Mills before the annual Town Meeting in May.
Jayne Armington of the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission said the Smart Growth Zoning Advisory Committee may also try to bring a Chapter 40R Smart Growth zoning bylaw before the annual Town Meeting in May for approval which would allow the town to receive some financial incentives for creating the new zone which permits mixed use commercial, industrial and housing development.
Ludlow as well as other communities in the state has a lack of affordable housing which higher density Smart Growth zoning proposals would help to remedy, Armington said.
She said a zoning proposal will be developed and further hearings held on it prior to the annual Town Meeting in May.