Burlington, MA The town  is advancing a rezoning initiative to create fresh updated land use policies for the area’s largest commercial district along Mall Rd. and parts of Middlesex Tpke. A community forum was held to kick off the process with an online meeting led by consultants from Brovitz Community Planning & Design and Dodson & Flinker.

The town has been studying the area for the past three years with support of the Urban Land Institute and their technical assistance program. This effort led to a state grant and a partnership with MassDevelopment to create the concept plan entitled “Burlington128 District,” completed in August 2022.

To develop the new regulatory framework, the town is launching a 10-month process with community stakeholders. The planning department and select board are actively working with the town’s administration. “This is great opportunity to plan for Burlington’s future,” said the town administrator, Paul Sagarino, “we are looking forward to taking on this challenge.”

The town has identified nearly 100 acres of development potential within the commercial district, most of which exists as under-utilized surface parking lots. “There is a growing consensus in town to incorporate more walkability, augment private sector research and development commercial space, and allow for a mix of uses to maintain a buzzy Burlington vibe. Through a thoughtful process we plan to develop a new land use proposal for town meeting to consider,” said the town’s economic development director, Melisa Tintocalis.