Harvard, Ayer, and Shirley made history Monday night. For the first time, all three towns agreed to modify Devens zoning. For the first time, one town asked the other towns for a favor and got it. For the first time, Ayer voted in favor of a proposal from MassDevelopment. For the first time, the citizens of the towns agreed to modify the housing cap. Perhaps most significantly, for the first time, MassDevelopment modified their proposals based on reactions from public hearings (specifically, Article 2). Arguably, their failure to modify Article 4 to address the Harvard Planning Board’s concerns (and eventually, Town Meeting’s concerns) led to its failure in Harvard.
I thought that article 4 served a valid, worthwhile purpose, and I supported it, but it was poorly drafted and poorly presented. I believe that it never should have combined residential and commercial/industrial uses and that it should have established a clear boundary—a buffer—between the neighboring uses. I believe that this failure to draw a sharp distinction between the two conflicting uses is what led to its failure to be approved by Harvard.
Overall, this was one of the best town meetings I have ever attended in my 30 years here in Harvard. People came out, spoke to the issues at hand, gave clear and concise arguments, were respectful of their neighbors and guests, allowed the discussion to play out (By the time Leo moved the question, we were ready), and in general, behaved in a manner that I think exemplifies the best of Harvard.
Even though I supported Article 4 and it lost, I think the town made a good decision on it, for a good set of reasons. It wasn’t anti-development or pro-residential; it was give us a better plan.
Paul Green
Old Littleton Road
