TOWNOFMIDDLEBOROUGH
COMMUNITYPRESERVATIONPLAN
Vision
TheresidentsofMiddleboroughdesireacommunitywhichisfamily-orientedandwhichretainsitssmalltowncharacterwhilepreservinganabundanceofopenspace,offeringdiverserecreationalopportunities,protectingitsuniquenaturalandhistoricresources,andprovidingawidevarietyofhousingoptionsforitsresidents.
OpenspacehasalwaysdefinedtheTownofMiddleborough’sruralcharacter,andwillcontinuetodoso. Protectedopenspaceprovidesabeautifulandforeverchangingnaturalsettinginwhichweliveourlives.Residentswishtorecognize,preserveandenhancethenaturalresourcesandruralcharacterofMiddleboroughandtoexpandthepassiverecreationaluseofprotectedopenspacesforboththemselvesandvisitors. Openspacepreservationseekstomaintaintherural,smalltowncharacterofMiddleborough;toprotectitsnaturalresources,rivercorridors,importantwildlifehabitatsandscenicvistas;topromoteagriculturalandforestryusesandprotectitsfisheries;andtosafeguardmunicipalwatersupplies.
Theprovisionofbothactiveandpassiverecreationalopportunitieshelpspromotethehealthandwell-beingofthecommunity’sresidents,andaffordsleisureactivitieswhichenhancethequalityoflife. ResidentsseektoencouragewholesomerecreationalopportunitiesforMiddleborough’schildren;tomaintainandimproveexistingrecreationalopportunities;toimproveaccessibilitytoallrecreationalareasforresidentswithdisabilities;todevelopnewrecreationalopportunitiesincludingathleticfields,multi-usetrails,bikepathsandwaterresources;andtomaintainaccesstoforestedlandforfishing,hunting,hikingandotherpursuits.
Historicresourcescontributetoourunderstandingofthehistoricaldevelopmentofouruniqueheritage,cultureandcharacter. Middleboroughisacommunityrichinhistoric,cultural,architecturalandarchaeologicalresourceswhichdatebackmanyyearsbeforetheincorporationofthetownin1669. Historicpreservationseekstorecognize,restore,preserveandenhancethehistoriccharacterandheritageofMiddleboroughinitsentirety;tooptimizetheuse,enjoymentandaccessibilityofthetown’shistoricresourcesbyresidentsandvisitorsalike;andtoprotectthecontributionsuchresourcesmaketothetown’scharacter,historyandfuture.
Itisimportantthatavarietyofhousingopportunitiesthatserveallsegmentsofthecommunitybemadeavailable,andMiddleboroughshouldcontinuetoprovideanddevelophousingunitsthatarebothaffordableanddesirabletoyoungfamilies,theelderly,veteransandthosewithspecialneeds. ThewidestvarietyofhousingoptionsfortheresidentsofMiddleboroughshouldbeafforded,whilebalancingthepreservationofthecommunity’snaturalandhistoricresourceswiththehousingandeconomicneedsofthecommunity.
TheMiddleboroughCommunityPreservationCommittee(CPC)wasestablishedbyMiddleboroughTownMeetingtomakerecommendationsforcommunitypreservationunderthetermsoftheMassachusettsCommunityPreservationAct(CPA). Increatingthisplan,theCPCsolicitedinputfromthepublic,aswellasMiddleboroughtownboards,committeesanddepartmentheads,andreviewednumerousreportsandstudiesincludingtheMiddleborough’sOpenSpaceandRecreationPlan(2008),MasterPlan(2002),CommunityDevelopmentPlan(2004),HistoricPreservationPlan(1989),TownFieldsStudyReport(2003),AffordableHousingPlan,andHousingProductionPlan.
OPENSPACEPRESERVATION
Overview
CPAfundsmaybeexpendedfortheacquisitionandprotectionofopenspace.Protectedopenspacecantakemanyforms. Landfortheprotectionofmunicipalwatersuppliesincludingwellsites,aquifers,re-chargeareasandwatersheds; agriculturalland;fields;forests;ripariansites;scenicvistas;historicandarchaeologicalsites;andparcelswithindenselypopulatedsectionsoftownmayallbeconsidered.Inallcasesopenspaceacquisitionisameansforpreservationofthetown'srural,naturalandhistoriccharacter.Openspacepreservationmaybeaccomplishedthroughoutrightpurchase,conservationeasementsandrestrictions,purchaseofdevelopmentrightsorothermeans.
CommunityPreservationGoals
Goal1:PreserveandprotectthescenicbeautyandexistingruralcharacterofMiddleborough
Residentsvaluethefarmland,forests,wetlands,scenicvistas,countrysideandhistoricvillagecentersthatcontributetotheruralcharacterofMiddleborough. Futuredevelopmentshouldnotdiminishordetractfromthefeaturesthatdefineourcommunity. ItisthereforeagoaloftheCommunityPreservationCommitteetoprotectthoseparcelsthatareofcriticalimportanceinbothpopulatedandruralareas.
Goal2:Preserve,protect,andmaintainthequalityofMiddleborough'snaturalresources
Therivers,lakes,pondsforestsandfieldsthatcompriseMiddleborough'snaturalresourcesshouldremainfreeofcompromiseresultingfromincompatiblebusinessandindustrialusesonadjoiningproperties,anditisanobjectiveofCPCtoprotectsuchresourcesfromadverseimpact.ItisalsoagoaloftheCPCtoworktowardconnectionbetweennaturalresourcesthroughlinkingparcelsintogreenbelts,rivertrailsandotherpassiveenhancementsofMiddleborough'snaturalfeatures.
Goal3:StrengthentheviabilityofMiddleborough’sfarms,forestsandfisheries
Middleboroughresidentsbenefitfromthepresenceofviablefarms,forestsandfisheries. Theacquisitionandpreservationofsignificantparcelswillincreasetheamountoflandundercultivationtherebypreservingopenspaceandpromotingagricultureandforestrylocally. Additionally,theacquisitionorprotectionoflandsnecessaryforthepreservationandrehabilitationofthecommunity’sfisheries,andinparticularitshistorically-significantalewifefishery,willbeofcriticalimportance.
Goal4:Protectwaterquality
ConstantprotectionandimprovementofMiddleborough’swaterqualitywillalwaysbeanimportantobjectiveoftheCPC. Notjustwellsites,butthevastwetlandsthatcomprisevitalwaterre-chargeareaswillcontinuetobeundersignificantpressure.Watersuppliesneedtokeeppacewithpopulationgrowthandthedemandsofneighboringwater-challengedtownsmaywellhavearesidualeffectonmunicipalsupplies.SafeguardingMiddleborough’swaterresourcesisvitaltothecommunity’sfuture.
SpecificCriteriaforCPAfundedOpenSpaceProjects
TheCPCsupportsprojectsthatfurtherthecommunity'spreservationgoals.WhiletheCPCwelcomesavarietyofparticipantsandprojects,anunderstandingofthestatutoryguidelineswillhelpapplicantsthroughtheprocess.InordertobeeligibleforCPAfundingundertheopenspacecategory,resourcesmustbedeterminedtobesignificantforoneormorereasonssuchasthesite’sproximitytosensitiverivercorridors,itsroleinprovidingwaterresourceprotection,itsvalueasagriculturalorforestedland,itssuitabilityforpassiverecreationaluse,itsvalueasascenicvista,itshistoricorarchaeologicalsignificanceorotherimportantconsiderations. Assigning"multiplevalues"toasiteisveryimportantforCPCconsideration
OpenSpaceprojectsmayalsobeundertakeninconcertwith:
- TheMassachusettsDivisionofFisheriesandWildlife
- TheTauntonRiverWatershedAlliance
- SoutheasternRegionalPlanningEconomicDevelopmentDistrict
- TheWildlandsTrust
- TrusteesofReservations
- MassachusettsAudubonSociety
- Neighboringcommunities
- Otheragenciesasdetermined
Indecidingwhethertorecommendfundingforspecificopenspaceprojects,theCPCwillconsider:
- LevelofsignificancetotheTownofMiddleborough
- Publicbenefit
- Publicsupport
- Integrityofpropertyincludingproximitytoothernaturalresources
- Amountofadditionalfinancialorin-kindservicesbeyondCPCfundscommittedto theproject.
- Administrativeandfinancialmanagementcapabilitiesandrecordoftheapplicant toensurethattheprojectiscompletedinatimelymannerandthattheresource canbemaintainedforcontinuedpublicbenefit
- Potentiallossordestructionoftheresourceifproposedactionisnottaken
- ConsistencywithMiddleborough’sOpenSpaceandRecreationPlan(2008),MasterPlan(2002),CommunityDevelopmentPlan(2004),HistoricPreservation Plan(1989)andotherpertinentdocuments
TheCPAasapprovedbytheMassachusettslegislaturespecificallyexcludesfundingformaintenance.
RECREATIONALLAND
Overview
CPAfundsmaybeexpendedfortheacquisition,creationandpreservationoflandforrecreationaluseandfortherehabilitationorrestorationofsuchland. Recreationaluseisdefinedasactiveorpassiverecreationaluseincluding,butnotlimitedto,theuseoflandforcommunitygardens,trails,andnoncommercialyouthandadultsports,andtheuseoflandasapark,playgroundorathleticfield. Recreationaluseshallnotincludehorseordogracingortheuseoflandforastadium,gymnasiumorsimilarstructure. Rehabilitationisdefinedastheremodeling,reconstructionandmakingofextraordinaryrepairstomakeresourcesfunctionalfortheirintendeduse,includingbutnotlimitedtoimprovementstocomplywiththeAmericanswithDisabilitiesActandotherfederal,stateorlocalbuildingoraccesscodes.
CommunityPreservationGoals
Goal1:Createadditionalathleticfields
Creatingnewathleticfieldswillprovideadditionalrecreationalopportunitiesforthecommunitywhilereducingthewearonexistingfieldsthroughoveruse.
Goal2:Createnewrecreationalopportunities
Toprovideadiversityofrecreationalopportunities,newmulti-usetrails,equestrianfacilities,neighborhoodplaygrounds,bicycleandmotorbikefacilitiesandinterpretivenatureareasshouldbeprovidedascommunity-wideresources. Accesstorecreationallandsforfishing,hunting,canoeing,boating,swimming,hiking,wildlifeappreciationandotheractivitiesshouldalsobesecured.
Goal3:Improveexistingrecreationalfacilities
Providingaccesstoexistingrecreationallandalongthecommunity’slakesandriversandinitsforestsiscritical. Inordertoimproveaccesstoexistingrecreationalfacilitiesandtoenhancetheexperienceofthosewhoenjoythem,accessibilityforthoseresidentswithdisabilities,parking,restroomsandotheramenitiesshouldbeprovidedorimproved.
Goal4:Createagreenbeltofrecreationalpaths
Developaunifiedsystemofmulti-usepathsbymappingandlinkingexistingrecreationalpaths,particularlyneardenselypopulatedareasoftown.
Goal5:ProviderecreationalaccessibilitytotheNemasketandTauntonRivers
ProvidingaccesstothesetwowaterwaysnotonlyimprovespassiverecreationalopportunitieswithinMiddleborough,butencouragesprotectionofvaluable,scenicandhistoriclandsintherivercorridors.
SpecificCriteriaforCPAfundedRecreationalLandProjects
TheCPCsupportsprojectsthatfurtherthecommunity'spreservationgoals.WhiletheCPCwelcomesavarietyofparticipantsandprojects,anunderstandingofthestatutoryguidelineswillhelpapplicantsthroughtheprocess.
Indecidingwhethertorecommendfundingforspecificrecreationallandprojects,theCPCwillconsider:
- Publicbenefit
- Publicsupport
- Amountofadditionalfinancialorin-kindservicesbeyondCPAfundscommittedto theproject
- Administrativeandfinancialmanagementcapabilitiesandrecordoftheapplicant inordertoensurethattheprojectiscompletedinatimelymanner,andthatthe historicresourcecanbemaintainedforcontinuedpublicbenefit
- Futuremaintenanceandstaffingcoststoensurethatnewlycreatedrecreational opportunitiesmaybemaintainedforcontinuedpublicbenefit
- ConsistencywithMiddleborough’sOpenSpaceandRecreationPlan(2008),TownFieldsStudyReport(2003),MasterPlan(2002),CommunityDevelopment Plan(2004),HistoricPreservationPlan(1989)andotherpertinentdocuments
TheCPAasapprovedbytheMassachusettslegislaturespecificallyexcludesfundingformaintenance.
HISTORICPRESERVATION
Overview
CPAfundsmaybeexpendedfortheacquisition,preservation,rehabilitationandrestorationofhistoricresources. Anhistoricresourceisdefinedasabuilding,structure,object,site,landscape,document,artifactorotherrealpropertythatiseitherlistedoreligibleforlistingontheNationalorStateRegisterofHistoricPlaces,orisdeterminedbythelocalHistoricalCommissiontobesignificantinthehistory,architecture,archaeologyorcultureofMiddleborough.
CommunityPreservationAct(CPA)fundsinvestedinthepreservationofhistoricpropertyrequiresthatthepropertybeprotectedbyapermanentpreservationrestriction. Aproposalforthehistoricpreservationofanytypeofresourcemustalsodemonstrateevidenceofpublicbenefit.
CommunityPreservationGoals
Goal1:Acquire,preserve,rehabilitateand/orrestoreandprovidepermanentprotectionforhistoric,cultural,architecturalorarchaeologicalresourcesofsignificance,especiallythosethatarethreatened
Thepreservationofhistoricresourcesiscriticalformaintainingthecharacterofthecommunity,preservingarecordofitsdevelopmentandprovidingforitsfutureasaunique,diverse,economically-viableandlivablecommunity. ThecommunityiscommittedtofosteringlocalpreservationofhistoricresourcesthroughcurrentlyavailabletoolsincludingaStructureDemolitionDelayBy-Law,designoversightundertheSitePlanReviewzoningprovisionwithinthecommercialdistrict,preservationrestrictionsandeasements,andcontinuingpartnershipswithlocalandstateboardsandorganizationssuchastheMiddleboroughPlanningBoard,MiddleboroughConservationCommissionandMassachusettsHistoricalCommission. FuturegoalswillbethepursuitoflocalhistoricdistrictswithinMiddleborough,establishmentofcertifiedlocalgovernment,andextensionofdesignoversighttoallhistoricdistricts. Prioritiesforpreservationinclude,butarenotlimitedto,resourceswithintheNemasketandTauntonRivercorridorsandwithinthefourexistingNationalRegisterDistricts:MiddleboroughWaterworksNRHistoricDistrict(1990),MiddleboroughCenterHistoricDistrict(2000),MuttockNRHistoricandArchaeologicalDistrict(2000)andSouthMiddleboroughNRDistrict(2009),aswellaspropertiesindividuallylistedontheNationalorStateRegisterofHistoricPlaces.
Goal2:Preserve,rehabilitateand/orrestoretown-ownedproperties,features,artifacts,documentsorresourcesofhistoricalsignificance
Inordertomaintainaeconomicallyvibrant,architecturally-distinct,livableandvitaldowntowndistrict,thegoalofthecommunityistoensurethepreservation,rehabilitationand/orrestorationofmunicipally-ownedhistoricresources.
Goal3:Preserve,rehabilitateand/orrestorethehistoricfunctionofapropertyorsite
SpecificCriteriaforCPAfundedHistoricPreservationProjects
TheCPAsetsapreliminarystandardforhistoricpreservationprojects. InorderforanhistoricresourcetobeeligibleforCPAfunding,itmustfirstbedeterminedtobenotjusthistoric(i.e.old),buttobeofhistoricsignificance. Inordertobehistoricallysignificant,apropertymusthavemaintainedanhistoricintegrityandalsomusthavegainedsignificancebeyondagethroughassociationwithnoteworthypeopleorevents,througharchitecturalsignificance,orthroughthepotentialtoyieldimportanthistoricalorarchaeologicalinformation.
Therearethreewaysaresourcemayqualifyashistoricallysignificant:
- ListingontheNationalorStateRegisterofHistoricPlaces
- AwrittendeterminationbytheMassachusettsHistoricalCommissionthattheresourceiseligibleforlistingontheNationalorStateRegisterofHistoricPlaces
- AwrittendeterminationbytheMiddleboroughHistoricalCommissionthataresourceissignificantinthehistory,archaeology,architectureorcultureofMiddleborough.
IfaresourceisnotalreadylistedontheNationalorStateRegisterofHistoricPlacesorifthereisnowrittendeterminationofeligibilitybytheMassachusettsHistoricalCommission,prospectiveapplicantsmayrequestawrittendeterminationofhistoricalsignificancethroughtheMiddleboroughHistoricalCommission. Oncearesourcehasbeenofficiallydeterminedtobeofhistoricalsignificance,itiseligibleforfundingconsiderationbytheCPC.
Indecidingwhethertorecommendfundingforspecifichistoricresourceprojects,theCPCwillconsider:
- LevelofhistoricalsignificancetotheTownofMiddleborough
- Publicbenefit
- Publicsupport
- Integrityofthehistoricresourceorpropertyincludinglocationonoriginalsite,locationinoriginalhistoriccontext,retentionofelementsofhistoricdesignorstyle,retentionoforiginalmaterials,retentionofelementsofhistoricworkmanship,andretentionofassociationwiththehistoryofthetown
- AppropriatenessandprofessionalismofproposedworkincludingwhetherworkwillcomplywiththeSecretaryoftheInterior’sStandardsfortheTreatmentofHistoricProperties
- Amountofadditionalfinancialorin-kindservicesbeyondCPAfundscommittedtotheproject
- Administrativeandfinancialmanagementcapabilitiesandrecordoftheapplicantinordertoensurethattheprojectiscompletedinatimelymanner,andthatthehistoricresourcecanbemaintainedforcontinuedpublicbenefit
- Potentiallossordestructionoftheresourceifproposedactionisnottaken
- ConsistencywithMiddleborough’sMasterPlan(2002),CommunityDevelopmentPlan(2004),HistoricPreservationPlan(1989)andotherpertinentdocuments
TheCPAasapprovedbytheMassachusettslegislaturespecificallyexcludesfundingformaintenance.
AFFORDABLEHOUSING
Overview
CPAfundsmaybeusedtocreateandpreservecommunityhousingasdefinedinthestatuteashousingforlowandmoderateincomeindividualsandfamilies,includinglowormoderateincomeseniorhousing.TheCPArequirestheCPCtorecommend,whereverpossible,theadaptivereuseofexistingbuildingsorconstructionofnewbuildingsonpreviouslydevelopedsites.
IndividualandfamilyincomesshallbebasedontheareawidemedianincomeasdeterminedbytheUnitedStatesDepartmentofHousingandUrbanDevelopment. Lowincomeisdefinedasanannualincomeoflessthan80%oftheareawidemedianincome. Moderateincomeisdefinedaslessthan100%oftheareawidemedianincome. Lowormoderateseniorincomeisdefinedaslowormoderateincomeforpersonsover60.
AsofJune2011,4.6%ofMiddleborough’shousingunitswereclassifiedasaffordable “subsidizedhousing” bytheCommonwealthofMassachusettsDepartmentofHousingandCommunityDevelopment(forthepurposesofChapter40B). AslongasMiddleboroughdoesnotmeettheCommonwealth’sstandardof10%ofitsavailablehousingstockdeemedaffordable,thetownwillcontinuetobesubjecttoChapter40Bdevelopment.
TheintentoftheCPCistomakerecommendationsthatwillsupportcommunityhousingneedsandbeconsistentwithMiddleborough’svisionasreflectedintheMasterPlan,CommunityDevelopmentStrategy,theCommunityDevelopmentPlan,theAffordableHousingPlanandtheHousingProductionPlan,aswellastheCommonwealth’sSustainableDevelopmentPrinciples. TheTownrecognizestheneedtoensurethathousingisavailablefortheelderlyandfamiliesofallincomelevels. ThecomplexityofthisissuerequiresthoughtfulconsiderationofthemanyoptionsavailabletotheTownofMiddleborough.Weacknowledgethatfundingofthehousingneedsofourtownisacomplexissue.Overthenextyears,wewillcontinuetoaddressthesepressingneedswithpracticalandfundablesolutions.TheCPAthereforecanserveasaneffectivetoolinprovidinghousingalternativesforourcommunityneedsanddevelopinganeffectiveshieldagainst40BdevelopmentproposalsthatwouldcircumventMiddleborough’szoninglaws.TheCommunityPreservationCommitteewelcomesworkingwithdeveloperstoprovidecreativealternativestoconventionalchapter40Bproposals.
CommunityHousingGoals
Goal1:Meetlocalhousingneedsamongeligiblelowandmoderateincomes,whilepromotingdiversityandthestabilityofindividualsandfamilieslivinginMiddleborough
Thepreservationandcreationofcommunityhousingisaprovenmethodforpromotingdiversity,allowingindividualsandfamilieswithmorelimitedmeanstoaffordtoliveinourcommunity.ThetowncanutilizeCommunityPreservationfundstooffercurrentandfutureresidentsawiderangeofhousingoptions,includingmixed-usehousing,re-useofexistinghousesandbuildings,seniorresidentialdevelopments,supportivehousingalternativesandlive/workspaces.
Goal2:Rehabilitatingandpreservinghousingstockaffordabletolowtomoderateincomepersons
Newhousingunitscanbecreatedbypursuingsubstantialrehabilitationandadaptivereuseofexistingbuildings.Locationssuitablefornewresidentialdevelopmentneedtobeidentifiedandshouldbeconsistentwithrelevanttownplans.Areaswheretownservicesareavailablemaybebetterabletosupportthedevelopmentofhigherdensityhousingfortheelderlyandfamilies. Suchareaswouldsupportthereuseofdeterioratingcommercialbuildings,thecreationofsecondfloordowntownrentalhousingandinfillconstructiononvacantlots.
Goal3:Ensurethatnewcommunityhousingisharmoniouswiththeexistingcommunity
Developmentswillincorporateanumberofcharacteristicsdesignedtomaintainadensityconsistentwithsurroundinglocationsthroughoutthetownwhileconservingthe
naturallandscape. Infilldevelopmentsandnewdevelopmentsshouldincorporatethecharacteristicsoftraditionalneighborhoodresidentialdesign.
Goal4:Maintaintherural,residentialandhistoriccharacterofthetown
Appreciationandpreservationofhistoricpropertiesandarchitecturalcharactershouldbeencouraged. Creationofhigherdensitydevelopmentsshouldbeencouragedtoprotectopenspaceforconservationandrecreation. CareshouldbetakenastoanyhousingdevelopmentinenvironmentallysensitiveareasinordertoprotecttheTown’senvironmentalassets.
Goal5:Worktowardsmeetingthe10%State40Bstandardforcommunityhousing
Inordertoensurefuturecommunityhousingdevelopmentisconsistentwiththeneedsandcharacterofthetown,MiddleboroughmustmeettheCommonwealth’s10%communityhousingstandard.Untilthatmilestoneisachieved,thetownwillbeconsidereddeficientinthisareaandwillcontinuetobevulnerabletoChapter40Bapplications.
Goal6:Leverageotherpublicandprivateresourcestothegreatestextentpossible
Middleboroughdoesnotreceivefederalorstatefundingforcommunityhousingonanentitlementbasis.Weneedtobecreativeinleveragingpublicandprivateresourcestomakecommunityhousingdevelopmentpossible.CombiningCommunityPreservationfundswiththevariousprivate,state,andfederalresourcesthatareavailableonanon-entitlement “competitive” basiswilldemonstratecreativity.ThiswillincludeCommunityDevelopmentBlockGrants,FederalHomeLoanBankFunds,StateHOMEfunds,HousingStabilizationfunds,andHousingInnovationsfunds,andFederalLowIncomeHousingTaxcredits.TheCommunityPreservationCommitteewillworkwiththeMiddleboroughHousingAuthority,thePlanningDepartment,andtheMiddleboroughOfficeofEconomicDevelopmenttomeetthesegoals.
SpecificCriteriaforCPAfundedAffordableHousingProjects
TheCPCsupportsprojectsthatfurtherthecommunity'spreservationgoals.WhiletheCPCwelcomesavarietyofparticipantsandprojects,anunderstandingofthestatutoryguidelineswillhelpapplicantsthroughtheprocess.Indecidingwhethertorecommendfundingforspecificaffordablehousingprojects,theCPCwillconsider:
- Publicbenefit
- Publicsupport
- Amountofadditionalfinancialorin-kindservicesbeyondCPCfundscommittedto theproject.
- Administrativeandfinancialmanagementcapabilitiesandrecordoftheapplicant toensurethattheprojectiscompletedinatimelymannerandthattheresource canbemaintainedforcontinuedpublicbenefit
- ConsistencywithMiddleborough’sMasterPlan,CommunityDevelopmentPlan, HousingProductionPlanorotherplanningdocumentsrelatedtohousing preservationthathaveundergoneapublicplanningprocess
TheCPAasapprovedbytheMassachusettslegislaturespecificallyexcludesfundingformaintenance.