Mall Road Rezoning Initiative

Update for January 2025:

On January 27, 2025, Town Meeting Members will consider the mixed-use zoning proposal resulting from the Mall Road Rezoning initiative process that started two years ago.  

The mixed-use zoning proposal includes 117 acres of private property comprised of several parcels, including those that comprise the Burlington Mall, Kohls, and Burlington Square area.  


Click here for FAQ with 
frequently asked questions

The proposed zoning changes aim to integrate residential uses while expanding commercial opportunities. These updates prioritize walkability, incorporate open spaces, and promote sustainable development practices. 

A key objective is to enable infill development by repurposing surface parking areas, transforming them into vibrant spaces that enhance the commercial environment. By creating places where people want to be, businesses can thrive. This zoning proposal serves as a strategic tool to shape Burlington's future and ensure its continued prosperity.



March 6, 2024

Click Here To Edit: Google Doc Version of Draft of Mixed-Used Zoning - add public comments to the zoning document

February 29, 2024

Property Owners Focus Group Meeting 
Video Link Here: https://youtu.be/-SZ26bikQnY


November 29, 2023

PowerPoint Presentation Slides from 11/29/2023
**Click Here** to review the slides that summarize the proposed zoning

Watch the joint meeting with the Town's land use boards & committees:

Capture #1

Future #1

S

Proposed Zoning & Related Documents for November 29th Meeting:

  1. ZoningMap_Proposed_2023-0926-01
  2. Use Table_4 MIX FBC ZONING AMENDMENTS ART. 4 Use Table Draft 4.1 Oct. 2023
  3. Definitions_2 MIX ZONING AMENDMENTS ART. 2 DEFINITIONS Draft 4.0 Oct. 2023
  4. Mixed Use District Zoning_PDF_14. MIX FBC ZONING AMENDMENTS ART. 14 MIX Bylaw Draft 4.0 Nov. 2023
  5. Special Regulations_10 MIX FBC ZONING AMENDMENTS ART. 10 Special Regs Draft 4.0 Oct. 2023 - Blue
  6. Special Residential Regulations_11 MIX FBC ZONING AMENDMENTS ART. 11 Special Res Regs Draft 4.0 Oct. 2023 - Blue
  7. General Regulations_7 MIX FBC ZONING AMENDMENTS ART. 7 General Regulations Draft 4.0 Oct. 2023
  8. Design Guidelines for Mixed Use District_PDF_15 BURLINGTON PBRR MIX Design Guidelines Draft 1.0 Oct. 2023
Area Map
  1. 1 Future
  2. 2 Build out Map Concept
  3. 3 Capture
  4. 4 MAP
  5. 5 IMG_0976
  6. 6 IMG_0975
  7. 7 IMG_0969

September 2023


Working Drafts of the Mall Road Rezoning Initiative - Sept. 2023

MIXED-USE DISTRICT

  1. ZoningMap_Proposed-TM Pres_2023-0926-01
  2. Height Zones Map_2023-0825-01
  3. 2_proposed use table_MIX FBC ZONING AMENDMENTS ART. 4 USE TABLE Draft 3.0 2023.08.23
  4. 3_proposed FBC zoning_Article 14_MIX FBC ZONING AMENDMENTS ART. 14 MIX BYLAW Draft 3.0 2023.08.23
  5. 4_performance stardards_MIX FBC ZONING AMENDMENTS ART. 4.5. Use Performance Stds Ver. 3.0 2023.08.23
  6. 5_summary of changes_MIX FBC ZONING AMENDMENTS 0 SUMMARY PACKET Draft 3.0 2023.08.23

May 23rd & 24th - Community Design Charrette 

Burlington is hosting an interactive community design process to help develop a new land use framework for the area’s largest commercial district. The design process, also referred to as a “charrette,” invites the public to participate in a multi-day workshop that will lay out the strengths and weaknesses for the area, and through a collaborative process, the goal is to create a roadmap for sustainable growth. 

All workshop and charrette events will be held in the lobby of the Piedmont Realty office building in the commercial district at 25 Burlington Mall Road:

May, 23rd Tuesday 
Site Tour * 3:00pm-5:00pm * 25 Burlington Mall Road
Listening Workshop* 6:30-8:30pm * 25 Burlington Mall Road

May, 24th Wednesday 
Visioning Workshop* 5:00-8:30pm * 25 Burlington Mall Road

REGISTER HERE FOR ALL EVENTS: 
https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/burlingtons-community-design-workshop-for-mall-rd-2104459

Check out on Facebook Events

Burlington Community Design Workshop FLYER


Advisory Group Meeting - April 12, 2023

  1. Agenda for Advisory Group MTG April 12_2023 - Copy
  2. Presentation - Burlington 128_Advisory Comm April 12_2023-0412_02

Materials for Reference

  1. 128 DISTRICT DEVELOPMENT CASE STUDIES 1 Local Models April 2023
  2. 128 DISTRICT DEVELOPMENT CASE STUDIES 2 Regional Comm-Mixed Use Examples April 2023
  3. 128 DISTRICT DEVELOPMENT CASE STUDIES 3 Regional Residential Examples April 2023
IMG_0975

Comm Forum Pic

Advisory Group Meeting - February 1, 2023

Below is the link and password for the recording of the Advisory Group Meeting held on February 1, 2023:


Meeting 1 pic #2


Message from Melisa Tintocalis, Economic Development Director
April 19, 2023:

As you may have heard, we are launching a long-term land use & economic development initiative for the commercial district along Mall Road and Middlesex Turnpike. We been working with Brovitz Planning & Community Design to engage with stakeholders and identify opportunities.

Please join us in May 2023 for Burlington's first-ever community design charrette. The charrette is a fancy work for interactive workshop where we gather, use maps and develop ideas for our future.

If your are unable to attend, reach out our consultant Ted Brovitz,  at ted.brovitz@gmail.com. He can walk you through the status of the project and gather your input.


Advisory Group Meeting - Slides from February 1, 2023

  1. Advisory Com MTG 1_Notes_2023-0201
  2. Mall Road Rezoning Advisory Group_Final
  3. Slides_BURLINGTON 128 FBC ADVISORY GROUP MEETING 1_2023_0201_02

Proposed Scope of Work for Mall Road Rezoning Initiative

  1. Brovitz_Proposal_BURLINGTON 128 DISTRICT

2022: Burlington 128 District - Site Readiness Concept Plan Final

  1. Final Concept Plan for "Burlington 128 District" 2022
  2. Appendix.A-Burlington-Mobility
  3. Appendix.B-Burlington-Econ.Dev_Real Estate
  4. Appendix.C-Burlington-Zoning
  5. Appendix.D-Burlington-Design.Studies
  6. Appendix.E-Burlington-Funding-Policies

Background on Mall Road and Middlesex Turnpike Initiative:
MassDevelopment awarded a Site Readiness Grant to the Town of Burlington to consider the potential of the commercial areas on both sides of Route 128/Interstate 95, addressing market and economic factors, development opportunities, and the future character of the district.  The study area is generally bounded by Blanchard Road, Route 3, Route 3A, and the Burlington Mall Road.   The project team is Madden Planning Group, Landwise Advisors, Buenas Vibras, and Gamble Associates.  Outreach efforts are expected to begin in October 2021, including community forums to discuss and generate ideas.  The plan is expected to continue through March 2022.

Charting a course for the future involves strategic engagement, input, and support from many stakeholders across a spectrum ranging from real estate developers to town residents.  A district plan at this point in time will help the Town establish the zoning and regulatory framework to shape future development in a way that is tailored to market realities and civic goals.  

District plans also communicate Town aspirations to property owners, real estate developers, businesses, and entrepreneurs interested in investing in the Town and growing the workforce.  With a clear sense of private development potential, the Town can also advocate for and invest in public infrastructure, such as parks, streetscapes, transit, utilities, and environmental protection and restoration, among others. Town Administrator, Paul Sagarino, shared his support stating, “As our nation makes its way into a post-pandemic world, it’s essential that towns and cities start to restructure their infrastructure to match the needs of their residents and local businesses. In Burlington, we are taking those steps.”

As Economic Development Director Melisa Tintocalis explains, “the Mass Development grant will help us kick off a process that will explore redevelopment in commercial areas with ‘underperforming asphalt’ and plan for more walkable infill villages in the future that strategically mix elements with added density to make for a successful and resilient Burlington for the next generation.”

3rd Community Forum: March 2021

  1. 3rd Community Forum PPT Presentation Slides
  2. Video of Community Forum _3 March 29, 2022

2nd Community Forum: January 11, 2022

  1. 2nd Community Forum PPT Presentation Slides January 11, 2022
  2. Video of 2nd Community Forum

1st Community Forum: November 2, 2021

  1. Video of Community Forum - Nov. 2, 2021 - Burlington@128
  2. Polling Results from Community Forum_11_2_2021
  3. Notes on Community Input_Burlington128_11_2_2021
  4. Presentation Slides_Burlington128_11_2_2021

Press Release: MassDevelopment & Mall Road Corridor

  1. MassDevelopment and Mall Road_Press Release

Scope of Work

  1. Scope of Work

Map of Study Area

  1. Map of Study Area