Middleboro residents want a ‘smarter’ housing plan than 40B
Chris Welch, of SRPEDD, speaks with Middleboro resident Scott Bradley during a Middleboro Master Plan Workshop on Sept. 11. Photos by Anna Milton. 
Maria Jones, right, explains how land is currently being used in Middleboro. 
Residents shared thoughts on what they’d like to see in town on sticky notes. 
Taylor Perez of SRPEDD, left, speaks with Middleboro residents Ron and Sue Schmidt. 
Vivienne Jones writes down her feedback.
Chris Welch, of SRPEDD, speaks with Middleboro resident Scott Bradley during a Middleboro Master Plan Workshop on Sept. 11. Photos by Anna Milton.
Maria Jones, right, explains how land is currently being used in Middleboro.
Residents shared thoughts on what they’d like to see in town on sticky notes.
Taylor Perez of SRPEDD, left, speaks with Middleboro residents Ron and Sue Schmidt.
Vivienne Jones writes down her feedback.
MIDDLEBORO — Middleboro residents want to see more parks, trails and different affordable housing solutions, according to what they shared at a Master Plan Workshop held Wednesday, Sept. 11.
“We want to see how we can move towards the future and make sure our community fits everybody’s needs,” said Middleboro resident Jackie Jones.
Middleboro is working with Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District (SRPEDD) to update its Master Plan, which has been in place since 2002.
Wednesday’s workshop was the second that SRPEDD has held to seek input from residents on what they’re looking for in town.
These workshops have focused on specific topics such as open space and natural resources, land use, sustainable economic development and housing.
SRPEDD employee Chris Welch said residents have made clear they want more trails, better access to parks, as well as cleaner bodies of water for recreational use.
Middleboro residents Ron and Sue Schmidt would like to see separate zoning for housing, commercial development and green space, to prohibit commercial buildings from popping up all over town.
They’re also looking for a solution that “allows us to meet housing goals with something smarter than 40B,” they said.
Jones’ seven-year-old daughter Vivienne is lobbying for more places to play like the new Peirce Playground.
The workshop provided an opportunity for residents to voice questions about hot topics such as the new Accessory Dwelling Unit legislation.
Middleboro’s Director of Planning and Community Development Leeann Bradley noted that the topic of accessory dwelling units has raised a lot of questions.
Residents will be asked to vote on several agenda items at the Fall Town Meeting that would define accessory dwelling units in the town’s bylaw and give the Planning Board temporary authority over the construction of these units, Bradley said.
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