PLANNING BOARD
(1 seat available - 5 year term)
The Planning Board guides the Town of Wellesley in preserving and enhancing Wellesley's quality of life by fostering a diverse housing stock, multi-modal transportation options, valuable natural resources, resilient infrastructure, and a thriving local economy. The Planning Board achieves these goals through the creation and implementation of Zoning Bylaws, policies, long-term planning, and by promoting citizen participation in the planning process.
Patty Mallett
Q1. Emissions from the building sector in Wellesley represent more than 59% of total greenhouse gas emissions. As you know, Town Meeting passed the Select Board’s Resolution to Address the Impact of Climate Change in 2020. How do you envision this resolution being carried out by the Planning Board in the months and years ahead?
A1. As a member of the Planning Board, I have worked to achieve the Town’s greenhouse gas reduction goal of zero emissions by 2050. In response to Town Meeting’s 2020 Climate Resolution and to support Wellesley’s Climate Action Plan, in 2022 the Planning Board proposed a series of Sustainable Zoning Bylaws that were overwhelmingly supported by Town Meeting. Now, Sustainability is listed as one of the purposes of Wellesley’s Zoning Bylaws, thereby directing the Board to encourage sustainability, including greenhouse gas reduction, in projects that come before us. The Sustainable Zoning Bylaw initiative also added “Sustainable Design” as a 6th Design Criteria guiding the Design Review Board (which advises the Planning Board) in evaluating all projects that come before that Board, including Projects of Significant Impact, Major and Minor Construction Projects, and Large House Review. The Planning Board further proposed that energy efficient Heat Pumps be allowed within the building setback as a matter of right, in order to encourage and simplify their installations. As a member of the Planning Board, I pledge to continue to ensure that these Sustainable Zoning Bylaw improvements are incorporated into our review of development projects in Wellesley.
Additionally, other laws we implement promote reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Through Project of Significant Impact and Large House Review, the Board guides developments toward energy efficiency by encouraging smaller buildings, electrification, solar energy, preservation of trees, and preservation of permeable surfaces. The Planning Board also encourages re-development in commercial areas near public transportation, thereby reducing car use and preserving green spaces, by offering zoning tools such as Residential Incentive Overlay, Natural Resource Protection Development, and Accessory Dwelling Units. The Tree Bylaw, while enforced by the Building Department, is a Zoning Bylaw that the Planning Board has improved, and will continue to strengthen. At the coming Annual Town Meeting , the Planning Board is co-sponsoring with the Selectboard the MBTA Communities bylaw article, which will further encourage development in village centers near public transportation, thereby reducing the need for cars and preserving green space.
All of these bylaws administered by the Planning Board work to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and preserve open space, thereby also reducing flooding and improving air and water quality for the people of Wellesley. If given the opportunity to serve another term on the Planning Board, I will continue to use these bylaws to promote energy efficiency, elimination of fossil fuel use, and preservation of green space in Wellesley.
Q2. As the Town seeks to build a more economically sustainable future by creating more housing options and by meeting state mandates, how would you balance development with preserving the character of town and GHG emissions reductions? Specifically, what are your priorities: greater housing density, affordability, GHG emission reduction and other climate considerations, town character, etc.
A2. My priorities are to both create more housing options AND to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. These priorities are not only compatible, they are complementary. As I noted in my response to Question 1, sustainability is now baked into our Zoning Bylaw as a result of the Planning Board’s Sustainable Bylaw initiative at the 2022 Annual Town Meeting. Further, our Zoning Bylaws incentivize building more densely in commercial areas, in order to promote walkability, increase use of public transportation, and preserve green infrastructure such as mature trees and permeable surfaces. By co-sponsoring the MBTA Communities article at the upcoming Annual Town Meeting, the Planning Board is further ensuring that the Town will achieve these goals. Additionally, the Planning Board is about to embark on development of a Strategic Housing Plan that we expect will guide us on how to even more proactively achieve the goals of increasing housing while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. My priorities, therefore, are to increase housing diversity in ways that reduce greenhouse gas emissions through use of existing Zoning Bylaws, the new MBTA Communities bylaw, and as guided by the Strategic Housing Plan.
Q3. Transportation accounts for 32% of GHG emissions in town. What should the Planning Board do to encourage more sustainable transportation in Wellesley?
A3. First, the Planning Board needs to continue to use its authorities to encourage “Smart Growth” which promotes the development of compact communities that encourage walking, reduce the need for cars, increase the use of public transportation, and minimize loss of green space. As I discussed in my answers to the first two questions, the Planning Board has many tools that incentivise Smart Growth, thereby reducing car use. The Planning Board’s proposal that we adopt the MBTA Communities bylaw will further incentivize building in commercial centers. On a smaller scale, the Planning Board can encourage the installation of electric vehicle charging stations and bicycle facilities in new buildings. Further, I would support reduction of the number of cars required per unit in multi-unit residential buildings in light of the ready availability of public transportation, including commuter rail and the MetroWest Regional Transit Authority Route 1 Bus and Catch Connect. I would also support hiring a Transportation Director.
Q4. There has been a great deal of concern by some in the community about loss of tree canopy. Do you share this concern and if so, how do you plan to address it? Should the tree bylaw be further strengthened and what suggestions do you have?
A4. Trees provide beauty, shade, and habitat. Trees help slow climate change by removing carbon dioxide from the air, storing carbon in the trees and soil, and releasing oxygen into the atmosphere. Trees also cool the air, thereby reducing health related risks and energy costs. Trees are critical to stormwater management: leaf canopies intercept falling rain and hold a portion of it on their leaves, reducing erosion and flooding. Roots anchor and absorb stormwater, promoting soil stabilization, clean water, and recharge of groundwater that serves as our drinking water supply.
I am greatly concerned about the loss of tree canopy in Wellesley considering the importance of trees to the air, drinking water, stormwater management, greenhouse gas reduction, and our sense of well-being. Through my work on the Planning Board, I have prioritized protection of mature, native trees as part of Large House Review, in particular. The Planning Board works with developers to preserve existing trees and, if trees must be removed, to replace them with native species with a preference for large canopy trees such as oaks and maples.
In 2017, the Planning Board in partnership with the Natural Resources Commission strengthened the Tree Bylaw. I believe it is now time to again partner with the Natural Resources Commission and conduct a Tree Bylaw study to determine if the bylaw is yielding good results or if further bylaw revisions or increased enforcement efforts are needed. The study would also assist us in finding the best use of the Tree Bank Fund. Wellesley’s trees are one of our Town’s greatest assets and protecting them is one of my priorities as a member of the Planning Board.
Grant Pollock
Q1. Emissions from the building sector in Wellesley represent more than 59% of total greenhouse gas emissions. As you know, Town Meeting passed the Select Board’s Resolution to Address the Impact of Climate Change in 2020. How do you envision this resolution being carried out by the Planning Board in the months and years ahead?
A1. The planning board has an opportunity to encourage the development projects that fall under the oversight of the board to incorporate GHG emission reduction initiatives. Electrification of developments and the use of heat source pumps for heating and cooling, installation of solar panel arrays as well as battery back systems are all areas where the planning board needs to focus our attention. As a member of the board I will look to prioritize these initiatives in constructive ways to help in the reduction of the towns GHG emissions. The input that the planning board had in the construction of the Hunnewell and Hardy Schools led to key elements aimed at addressing this issue. I look forward to participating in issue on day one of my term.
Q2. As the Town seeks to build a more economically sustainable future by creating more housing options and by meeting state mandates, how would you balance development with preserving the character of town and GHG emissions reductions? Specifically, what are your priorities: greater housing density, affordability, GHG emission reduction and other climate considerations, town character, etc?
A2. In Massachusetts we are currently facing a housing crisis that plays a major role in our ability to supply all members of our community with adequate housing options. Wellesley has a tremendous opportunity to assist the state wide needs as well as the needs of our residents. House density allows us to maximize the land that we allocate for housing while providing more open space where we can protect and preserve our natural tree canopy. Providing more affordable housing that is located near our public transit stations and commercial centers go hand in hand to ensure that we are reducing our GHG emissions. Town character is an important part of what makes Wellesley such a special place and supporting our Historic commission allows our residents to engage in a constructive dialogue to ensure that we manage the changes within our town.
Q3. Transportation accounts for 32% of GHG emissions in town. What should the Planning Board do to encourage more sustainable transportation in Wellesley?
A3. The planning board has a unique opportunity to be a part of the solution of our townwide goal of reducing our GHG emissions. Project of Significant Impact (PSI) falls under the review of the Planning Board and it specifically allows for constructive discussion about the impact automotive traffic has on the community. I fully support the need to reduce the GHG emissions and would push to strength the PSI process to ensure we are able to mandate the installation of more EV car charging stations in these projects. I would also like to see all new development projects needing review from the Planning Board incorporate stronger measures to support the use of public transportation and ride sharing options. A key planning initiative that is currently on the upcoming Annual Town Meeting agenda is the MBTA communities Zoning bylaw (article 40). By enacting article 40 the town will be supporting efforts to create multifamily housing developments around our commuter rail stations – I support article 40 and I see this a direct path toward more sustainable transportation in Wellesley.
Q4. There has been a great deal of concern by some in the community about loss of tree canopy. Do you share this concern and if so, how do you plan to address it? Should the tree bylaw be further strengthened and what suggestions do you have?
A4. The Tree canopy in Wellesley is an important issue and I strongly believe that the Planning Board needs to make a strong effort to review the current tree by-law to address areas where changes can be made to ensure we address potential tree canopy loss. One example I see as needing additional attention is how our recently adopted “stretch plus” building code interacts with our resident’s commitment to the installation of solar on their homes. As a member of the planning department I will work with Sustainable Wellesley, the NRC and other stakeholders to address the delicate balance of protecting our tree canopy while also helping to promote more use of solar throughout the town. There is a real opportunity to make smart changes to the tree bylaw that will accomplish several goals the town is facing.
(1 seat available - 5 year term)
The Planning Board guides the Town of Wellesley in preserving and enhancing Wellesley's quality of life by fostering a diverse housing stock, multi-modal transportation options, valuable natural resources, resilient infrastructure, and a thriving local economy. The Planning Board achieves these goals through the creation and implementation of Zoning Bylaws, policies, long-term planning, and by promoting citizen participation in the planning process.
Patty Mallett
Q1. Emissions from the building sector in Wellesley represent more than 59% of total greenhouse gas emissions. As you know, Town Meeting passed the Select Board’s Resolution to Address the Impact of Climate Change in 2020. How do you envision this resolution being carried out by the Planning Board in the months and years ahead?
A1. As a member of the Planning Board, I have worked to achieve the Town’s greenhouse gas reduction goal of zero emissions by 2050. In response to Town Meeting’s 2020 Climate Resolution and to support Wellesley’s Climate Action Plan, in 2022 the Planning Board proposed a series of Sustainable Zoning Bylaws that were overwhelmingly supported by Town Meeting. Now, Sustainability is listed as one of the purposes of Wellesley’s Zoning Bylaws, thereby directing the Board to encourage sustainability, including greenhouse gas reduction, in projects that come before us. The Sustainable Zoning Bylaw initiative also added “Sustainable Design” as a 6th Design Criteria guiding the Design Review Board (which advises the Planning Board) in evaluating all projects that come before that Board, including Projects of Significant Impact, Major and Minor Construction Projects, and Large House Review. The Planning Board further proposed that energy efficient Heat Pumps be allowed within the building setback as a matter of right, in order to encourage and simplify their installations. As a member of the Planning Board, I pledge to continue to ensure that these Sustainable Zoning Bylaw improvements are incorporated into our review of development projects in Wellesley.
Additionally, other laws we implement promote reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Through Project of Significant Impact and Large House Review, the Board guides developments toward energy efficiency by encouraging smaller buildings, electrification, solar energy, preservation of trees, and preservation of permeable surfaces. The Planning Board also encourages re-development in commercial areas near public transportation, thereby reducing car use and preserving green spaces, by offering zoning tools such as Residential Incentive Overlay, Natural Resource Protection Development, and Accessory Dwelling Units. The Tree Bylaw, while enforced by the Building Department, is a Zoning Bylaw that the Planning Board has improved, and will continue to strengthen. At the coming Annual Town Meeting , the Planning Board is co-sponsoring with the Selectboard the MBTA Communities bylaw article, which will further encourage development in village centers near public transportation, thereby reducing the need for cars and preserving green space.
All of these bylaws administered by the Planning Board work to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and preserve open space, thereby also reducing flooding and improving air and water quality for the people of Wellesley. If given the opportunity to serve another term on the Planning Board, I will continue to use these bylaws to promote energy efficiency, elimination of fossil fuel use, and preservation of green space in Wellesley.
Q2. As the Town seeks to build a more economically sustainable future by creating more housing options and by meeting state mandates, how would you balance development with preserving the character of town and GHG emissions reductions? Specifically, what are your priorities: greater housing density, affordability, GHG emission reduction and other climate considerations, town character, etc.
A2. My priorities are to both create more housing options AND to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. These priorities are not only compatible, they are complementary. As I noted in my response to Question 1, sustainability is now baked into our Zoning Bylaw as a result of the Planning Board’s Sustainable Bylaw initiative at the 2022 Annual Town Meeting. Further, our Zoning Bylaws incentivize building more densely in commercial areas, in order to promote walkability, increase use of public transportation, and preserve green infrastructure such as mature trees and permeable surfaces. By co-sponsoring the MBTA Communities article at the upcoming Annual Town Meeting, the Planning Board is further ensuring that the Town will achieve these goals. Additionally, the Planning Board is about to embark on development of a Strategic Housing Plan that we expect will guide us on how to even more proactively achieve the goals of increasing housing while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. My priorities, therefore, are to increase housing diversity in ways that reduce greenhouse gas emissions through use of existing Zoning Bylaws, the new MBTA Communities bylaw, and as guided by the Strategic Housing Plan.
Q3. Transportation accounts for 32% of GHG emissions in town. What should the Planning Board do to encourage more sustainable transportation in Wellesley?
A3. First, the Planning Board needs to continue to use its authorities to encourage “Smart Growth” which promotes the development of compact communities that encourage walking, reduce the need for cars, increase the use of public transportation, and minimize loss of green space. As I discussed in my answers to the first two questions, the Planning Board has many tools that incentivise Smart Growth, thereby reducing car use. The Planning Board’s proposal that we adopt the MBTA Communities bylaw will further incentivize building in commercial centers. On a smaller scale, the Planning Board can encourage the installation of electric vehicle charging stations and bicycle facilities in new buildings. Further, I would support reduction of the number of cars required per unit in multi-unit residential buildings in light of the ready availability of public transportation, including commuter rail and the MetroWest Regional Transit Authority Route 1 Bus and Catch Connect. I would also support hiring a Transportation Director.
Q4. There has been a great deal of concern by some in the community about loss of tree canopy. Do you share this concern and if so, how do you plan to address it? Should the tree bylaw be further strengthened and what suggestions do you have?
A4. Trees provide beauty, shade, and habitat. Trees help slow climate change by removing carbon dioxide from the air, storing carbon in the trees and soil, and releasing oxygen into the atmosphere. Trees also cool the air, thereby reducing health related risks and energy costs. Trees are critical to stormwater management: leaf canopies intercept falling rain and hold a portion of it on their leaves, reducing erosion and flooding. Roots anchor and absorb stormwater, promoting soil stabilization, clean water, and recharge of groundwater that serves as our drinking water supply.
I am greatly concerned about the loss of tree canopy in Wellesley considering the importance of trees to the air, drinking water, stormwater management, greenhouse gas reduction, and our sense of well-being. Through my work on the Planning Board, I have prioritized protection of mature, native trees as part of Large House Review, in particular. The Planning Board works with developers to preserve existing trees and, if trees must be removed, to replace them with native species with a preference for large canopy trees such as oaks and maples.
In 2017, the Planning Board in partnership with the Natural Resources Commission strengthened the Tree Bylaw. I believe it is now time to again partner with the Natural Resources Commission and conduct a Tree Bylaw study to determine if the bylaw is yielding good results or if further bylaw revisions or increased enforcement efforts are needed. The study would also assist us in finding the best use of the Tree Bank Fund. Wellesley’s trees are one of our Town’s greatest assets and protecting them is one of my priorities as a member of the Planning Board.
Grant Pollock
Q1. Emissions from the building sector in Wellesley represent more than 59% of total greenhouse gas emissions. As you know, Town Meeting passed the Select Board’s Resolution to Address the Impact of Climate Change in 2020. How do you envision this resolution being carried out by the Planning Board in the months and years ahead?
A1. The planning board has an opportunity to encourage the development projects that fall under the oversight of the board to incorporate GHG emission reduction initiatives. Electrification of developments and the use of heat source pumps for heating and cooling, installation of solar panel arrays as well as battery back systems are all areas where the planning board needs to focus our attention. As a member of the board I will look to prioritize these initiatives in constructive ways to help in the reduction of the towns GHG emissions. The input that the planning board had in the construction of the Hunnewell and Hardy Schools led to key elements aimed at addressing this issue. I look forward to participating in issue on day one of my term.
Q2. As the Town seeks to build a more economically sustainable future by creating more housing options and by meeting state mandates, how would you balance development with preserving the character of town and GHG emissions reductions? Specifically, what are your priorities: greater housing density, affordability, GHG emission reduction and other climate considerations, town character, etc?
A2. In Massachusetts we are currently facing a housing crisis that plays a major role in our ability to supply all members of our community with adequate housing options. Wellesley has a tremendous opportunity to assist the state wide needs as well as the needs of our residents. House density allows us to maximize the land that we allocate for housing while providing more open space where we can protect and preserve our natural tree canopy. Providing more affordable housing that is located near our public transit stations and commercial centers go hand in hand to ensure that we are reducing our GHG emissions. Town character is an important part of what makes Wellesley such a special place and supporting our Historic commission allows our residents to engage in a constructive dialogue to ensure that we manage the changes within our town.
Q3. Transportation accounts for 32% of GHG emissions in town. What should the Planning Board do to encourage more sustainable transportation in Wellesley?
A3. The planning board has a unique opportunity to be a part of the solution of our townwide goal of reducing our GHG emissions. Project of Significant Impact (PSI) falls under the review of the Planning Board and it specifically allows for constructive discussion about the impact automotive traffic has on the community. I fully support the need to reduce the GHG emissions and would push to strength the PSI process to ensure we are able to mandate the installation of more EV car charging stations in these projects. I would also like to see all new development projects needing review from the Planning Board incorporate stronger measures to support the use of public transportation and ride sharing options. A key planning initiative that is currently on the upcoming Annual Town Meeting agenda is the MBTA communities Zoning bylaw (article 40). By enacting article 40 the town will be supporting efforts to create multifamily housing developments around our commuter rail stations – I support article 40 and I see this a direct path toward more sustainable transportation in Wellesley.
Q4. There has been a great deal of concern by some in the community about loss of tree canopy. Do you share this concern and if so, how do you plan to address it? Should the tree bylaw be further strengthened and what suggestions do you have?
A4. The Tree canopy in Wellesley is an important issue and I strongly believe that the Planning Board needs to make a strong effort to review the current tree by-law to address areas where changes can be made to ensure we address potential tree canopy loss. One example I see as needing additional attention is how our recently adopted “stretch plus” building code interacts with our resident’s commitment to the installation of solar on their homes. As a member of the planning department I will work with Sustainable Wellesley, the NRC and other stakeholders to address the delicate balance of protecting our tree canopy while also helping to promote more use of solar throughout the town. There is a real opportunity to make smart changes to the tree bylaw that will accomplish several goals the town is facing.