Halifax Zoning Bylaws Undergo Major Overhaul After Two-Year Review
Committee streamlines regulations while town faces potential $1.6 million budget override
HALIFAX - March 11 - The Halifax Zoning Bylaw Review Committee has completed a comprehensive two-year process of updating and simplifying the town's zoning bylaws, with the Board of Selectmen voting to send the revised document to the Planning Board for review before it heads to Town Meeting.
Town Administrator Cody Haddad explains the committee's primary goal was to make the bylaws more accessible and consistent rather than implementing major policy changes.
"The goal of the group really was not to make changes to zoning per se, but to make it easier and simpler," Haddad says. "So as a resident, you want to look at our zoning bylaw. You can actually look at it and understand it."
The revisions address numerous inconsistencies and contradictions that had accumulated over decades. Chair John Bruno, who served on the review committee, notes they found arbitrary and confusing elements throughout the existing bylaws.
"We shouldn't have to skip around all over the place to figure out what's going on here," Bruno says, describing the committee's approach to reorganizing the document.
One significant change standardizes the special permit process. Previously, applications were directed to either the Planning Board or Zoning Board of Appeals with no clear rationale.
"We made it consistent, the special permit granting authority," Haddad explains. "The group went through and recommended any special permit be granted by the Zoning Board of Appeals. Have it be one entity that deals with these."
The revised bylaws also incorporate recent state law changes regarding Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), which are now allowed by right if they meet dimensional requirements.
A new blighted property bylaw represents another important addition. This provision requires owners of neglected properties to register them with the town, expanding on an existing foreclosure property bylaw.
"It sets up a registration procedure for blighted properties once they're declared that. They have to register them. We have to know who's in charge of them," Bruno explains.
The bylaw applies to "all residential, commercial, and industrial property owners, including without limitation lenders, trustees, service companies to properly maintain blighted and or foreclosed properties," according to Haddad.
Other changes include cleaning up the sign bylaw, which Haddad describes as "incredibly lengthy" and "contradictory in spots," and consolidating redundant definitions.
The Planning Board will hold a public hearing on the revised bylaws in mid-April, at least 21 days before Town Meeting. Copies will be available online and at the Town Clerk's office following the Select Board's approval.
Meanwhile, Halifax faces significant budget challenges for the upcoming fiscal year. Haddad presented two budget scenarios to the Finance Committee: a level service budget requiring approximately $1.6 million in override funding, and a balanced budget requiring substantial cuts.
"One with level service requests, which would require about a $1.6 million override," Haddad explains. "And then the other one takes the – is level – not level, but is balanced, which would require about $1.2 million in cuts from the elementary school, several general fund cuts, and then we would need to eliminate four additional full-time equivalents on the general government side."
The Board of Selectmen and Finance Committee will hold a joint meeting on the 25th to review the budget options and determine whether to pursue an override. State representatives will also attend this meeting, providing an opportunity to discuss potential state assistance.
In other business, the board addressed several additional items:
- The town received notification that the State Auditor has determined the MBTA Zoning Act constitutes an unfunded mandate, which could trigger legal processes. Bruno indicates the board is consulting with legal counsel about potential next steps.
- Halifax may lose access to certain grant opportunities due to non-compliance with MBTA requirements, including the Community One Stop for Growth program and potentially Green Communities funding.
- The board approved a motion to draft a letter supporting Senator Markey's No Cuts to Public School Act, which would maintain federal education funding at fiscal year 2024 levels through 2027. Haddad notes Halifax Elementary School receives over $400,000 annually in federal education funding.
- The District Attorney's office provided CPR and first aid training for department heads and will donate an AED for Town Hall.
- The library director search continues, with applications closing recently and a screening committee set to review candidates.
- The Capital Planning Committee meets soon to finalize recommendations, with Haddad indicating most requested items are likely to be approved.
- Seven petitioned articles have been submitted for Town Meeting, with two already certified.