Depending on sentiments expressed at a public forum slated for Sept. 22, the Planning Board could move to submit an amendment of the existing zoning bylaws that restrict the maximum size of potential grocery stores in the commercial district. Currently, the maximum size allowed is 15,000 square feet. Buildings up to 30,000 square feet are also allowed through the Ayer Road Village Special Permit (ARV-SP).
A decade-long discussion
The feasibility of a grocery store in Harvard has been a topic of discussion for more than a decade. Its origins, as a subset of an overarching discussion on development in the commercial district, can be traced as far back as the 2002 Master Plan. Recommendations from that plan focused on making zoning bylaws more streamlined and resulted in the ARV-SP, which was approved at the 2004 Annual Town Meeting.
Planning Board Chairwoman Kara Minar notes that, in addition to increasing the maximum allowable size for buildings in the commercial district, the ARV-SP also “helps the town shape the project so that it balances the needs of the developer with the needs of the town.”
Since 2009, four surveys gauging town sentiment toward commercial development have been conducted: A survey of 262 residents at the 2009 Annual Town Meeting by the Financial Impact Analysis Team, a survey of 187 North Harvard residents in November 2009 by the Economic Data Analysis Team (EDAT), an additional survey conducted by EDAT of 538 residents in 2010, and, most recently, a survey of 684 residents in 2011 as part of Phase I of the current Master Plan.
Across surveys, sentiment consistent
The sentiments across each of the surveys has remained largely consistent, with residents indicating that a grocery store, as an anchor for a village-style shopping plaza, is among the top three most desirable potential developments. Residents also tend to agree that they could “accept limited commercial development to provide some residential tax relief.”
Upon completion of the 2010 survey, EDAT published a report that presented the group’s recommendation that the town should pursue commercial development in the form of one of three design centers: a retail plaza with a grocery store anchor, an office building complex, or an assisted living facility.
The report also led to the formation of the Economic Development Committee (EDC), which has since held two public forums (one in January 2013 and one this past June) on the topic. In an email to the Press, EDC member Rich Maiore noted, “EDC’s current exploration of a grocery store is in direct response to residents’ clear and consistently expressed interest in having a grocery store in town.”
Whitepaper recommends three steps
In April 2013, the EDC published a “white paper” that studied the feasibility of bringing a grocery store to Harvard. As a result of the white paper research, the EDC generated three recommendations for the town: approach the Hannaford store located in Ayer to discuss their plans for the store (including the potential for relocating to Harvard), issue Requests for Expressions of Interest to landowners within the commercial district (which could identify development interest and possible locations), and determine whether or not to amend the ARV-SP to allow for a full-size grocery store. The last recommendation will be the focus of the forum on Sept. 22.
Concerns over commercial development
Although moderate support of a grocery store in Harvard has been relatively consistent in survey results, so too have been residents’ concerns over potential development in the commercial district. Respondents expressed reservations over the potential for increased traffic, safety risks (including lack of walkways along Ayer Road), disruptive noise, and negative visual impact. These concerns have not gone unnoticed by members of EDC and the Planning Board.
“If there is a change in the bylaw, we need to be proactive in thinking about how to address these issues,” stated Minar. “The Planning Board is working to develop guidelines [and] best practices to ensure that development on Ayer Road is done thoughtfully.”
Maiore also noted that the issues raised by residents are a priority for the EDC and one of the reasons for the upcoming forum. “We hope to hear residents’ concerns [and] questions and continue to build the lines of communications, especially with residents in and around the [commercial] district,” he said.
Why another forum?
“I hope the Planning Board and the EDC have a constructive and productive exchange of information with the public about a possible zoning amendment to increase the maximum size limit of a grocery store,” said Tim Schmoyer, the Planning Board’s liaison to the EDC.
In addition to a brief summary of the grocery store discussion, options for amending the zoning bylaw will also be presented to residents at the forum. These options include an increase to the “by-right” size, an increase to the “special permit” size, development of a specific amendment, or taking no action.
“We’re hoping to get this issue in front of residents so that they can truly understand what changing this bylaw would mean for them,” said Minar.
The forum is scheduled for Sept. 22 at 7:15 p.m. at Volunteers Hall. Residents who cannot attend are encouraged to send comments to Land Use Assistant Liz Allard at lallard@harvard.ma.us.
