Understanding Leominster's Controversial MU2 Zoning Changes
What residents need to know about the sweeping development regulations reshaping your community
Increased Density
The new regulations increase the by-right density of the number of housing units by 75% to an unprecedented level of 21.8 units per acre. With 82 acres of undeveloped land specified in the current subdivision applications, it means a density of 1798 housing units in the MU2 district at the Orchard Hills Project! Developers can now build significantly denser projects, fundamentally changing neighborhood character and scale.
By-Right Building
Special permits previously required for a build out with higher density has now been eliminated. Multi-family projects can proceed with only a site plan approval, removing residents' ability to influence projects or having meaningful say in their neighborhoods.
Reduced Buffer Requirements
Protective spaces between developments and neighborhoods have been slashed. The previous 50-foot minimum is now the maximum, allowing developers to build closer to existing homes. Developer has presented a site-plan with a little as 15' buffers in some locations
Eliminated Mixed-Use Balance
Original requirements that residential could not be more than 33% of the development of the MU2 district has been removed, opening up an additional 42 acres of high density multi-family development, by-right!
