Corrected and updated Sept. 19, 2014
A possible amendment to an existing zoning bylaw that restricts the size of potential grocery stores to 15,000 square feet will be the focus of a public forum held on Sept. 22. The Planning Board, along with the Economic Development Committee (EDC), is hosting the forum to gather community feedback and determine whether or not to submit an amendment to allow grocery store size up to 45,000 square feet.
At present, grocery stores up to 15,000 square feet are permitted in the commercial district, which is located north of Route 2 on Ayer Road. A provision adopted in 2004 allows for the Planning Board to approve buildings up to 30,000 square feet through a special permit. At the moment, no grocery stores have formally approached the town, and no specific proposals are in the works.
Surveys conducted by the Financial Analysis Impact Team (FIAT) in 2009, the Economic Development Analysis Team (EDAT) in 2010, and the Master Plan Steering Committee in 2011 indicate a moderate level of interest in bringing a grocery store to Harvard, but with some reservations. Both the Planning Board and the EDC encourage residents to voice additional thoughts or concerns at the forum. The meeting will start at 7:15 p.m. at the Center on the Common.
Editor’s note: This article has been corrected and updated. The original article referenced surveys conducted by EDC. Those surveys were actually done by the Financial Analysis Impact Team, the Economic Development Analysis Team, and the Master Plan Steering Committee
