'A village environment': Shops, apartments can be built near a new Taunton station
TAUNTON — City Planning Director Kevin Scanlon said the City Council’s recent approval of a Transit-Oriented District would allow shops to be built near an East Taunton MBTA station that is under construction.
“Higher density development around the MBTA station is envisioned to partially service residents that utilize the rail service,” he said. “They will be less reliant on motor vehicles. Having shopping will help create a village environment.”
Scanlon said the Transit-Orientated District would be able to accommodate fitness centers, business offices, coffee shops, restaurants and bars and stores.
The zoning also allows bakeries, banks, barber shops, hair salons, laundromats, medical offices, dental facilities, museums, newsstands, photography studios and a wireless communication antenna.
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A request to construct these amenities must receive a special permit from the Board of Appeals under the zoning requirements.
The Transit-Orientated District (TOD) extends a half-mile from the East Taunton MBTA station, which is under construction and will be part of the T’s new South Coast Rail that is being built.
A building constructed in the TOD can't be more than 40 feet tall and cannot have more than three stories.Scanlon said the planning department asked the Council to approve the TOD because state law requires communities to allow stores and residences within a half-mile of an MBTA station.
“If we didn’t create the district, we would become ineligible for a variety of state grant programs that provides millions of dollars in funding to the city,” he said.
Development will create jobs, business opportunities
Creating a Transit-Orientated District will allow multi-family housing rental sites and condos to be built within walking distance of the MBTA station.
Scanlon said having a TOD will offer residents “a broader choice in transportation, housing, and services.”
“Development also creates jobs and new business opportunities,” he said.
Taunton Area Chamber of Commerce President Kris Silva said allowing shops and living accommodations near the MBTA station would benefit the city.
“I think it’s exciting anytime you have an area that people can live in that is convenient for them to walk to the train station and shops,” she said.
Silva said the “size and scope” of the potential shops might encourage drivers on Route 24 to exit the highway to buy products.
“It (TOD) will draw folks from other towns,” she said. “Some of us miss the Silver City Galleria Mall. The Home Depot Plaza is nearby and has a Kohls and Target store.”
Silva said allowing condos and apartments built near the MBTA station will “be much cheaper than living in Boston."
“People who want to live in Taunton can take the train to Boston,” she added. “The Transit-Orientated District will bring people to Taunton and encourage some of them to live there.”
Silva said she hopes the stores are mostly owned “by local folks.”
“This Chamber is all about small businesses and local business owners,” she said. “I hope there is a presence of local small businesses in that space. The prospect is exciting.”
Weymouth official says TOD 'a good strategy'
Town of Weymouth Planning Director Robert Luongo said Taunton’s creation of a Transit-Orientated District “is a good strategy” to benefit city residents.
“It’s working in Weymouth,” he said. “Things are being built here.”
Luongo said all of the apartment units are occupied by tenants.
“They are still looking for retail tenants," he added.
Luongo said various businesses in Weymouth Landing are attracting tenants from the apartment complex because the stores are within walking distance.
“On the Braintree side, there is a veterinary clinic that has moved in,” he said. “A restaurant and real estate company have also moved in.”
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Luongo said a zoning change approved by Weymouth Town Council allowed the construction of a 143-unit apartment and retail shop near the South Weymouth MBTA station.
“All the units are leased, and they are still looking for tenants in the retail section,” he added.
Luongo said Starbucks is in the process of opening a coffee shop near the South Weymouth MBTA station.
“We have a housing unit for people who are 55 years old and older down there,” he said
Transit-Orientated District can have ‘affordable housing'
Affordable housing is allowed in the Transit-Orientated District parameters for people with low to moderate incomes in Massachusetts.
Scanlon said it’s unknown whether a developer will attempt to construct affordable housing in the district.
“It would depend on market forces when a development is proposed,” he added.
The district could accommodate a privately owned apartment complex that receives government subsidies to provide affordable housing for qualified tenants.
Affordable housing in Taunton consists of 14 apartment buildings that the Taunton Housing Authority manages.
A family of four with a combined yearly income of $68,000 can apply for living space at some THA properties.
The THA sites for families with low to moderate incomes include; Martel Avenue Family Units, Summer Street Apartments, Riverside Apartments, and Highland Heights, located at the corner of Highland and Oak Courts.
South Coast Rail service expected to begin in late 2023
Scanlon said completion of the South Coast Rail would provide Taunton residents more accessible access to Boston and enable people to be transported to the city from other communities.
“The MBTA anticipates the South Coast Rail will begin service in late 2023,” he said.
The project, at the cost of just over $1 billion, will restore passenger rail service to Fall River for the first time since 1959, when the Old Colony Railroad service shuttered.
Editor's note: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated that buildings in the Transit-Orientated District can't be more than 65 feet tall and five stories high. The correct figures are no more than 40 feet tall and three stories high.
This article originally appeared on The Taunton Daily Gazette: Transit-Oriented District to create jobs, business opportunities in Taunton
