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Montague
Massachusetts
1 Avenue A
Turners Falls, MA 01376
413-863-3200
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Montague City Village Center Rezoning Project

Montague City Village Center Rezoning Project

Updates (as of March 16, 2026):

  • Farren Zoning Amendments are approved by the Attorney General: After the Fall 2025 Town Meeting approval of Article 12 which included the Farren zoning amendments and zoning map change, it was submitted to the Massachusetts Attorney General for final review and approval. On February 25, 2026, the Town was notified that the Attorney General approved these changes and will become effective on March 13, 2026. The updated Zoning Bylaw may be found HERE.
  • Montague Engages Land Use and Real Estate Experts to Guide Redevelopment Strategy for Former Farren Hospital Site During March 10, 2026 TAP Session: Before issuing a Request for Proposal (RFP) for re-developing the former Farren Hospital site, the Town is participating in the Urban Land Institute Boston/New England Technical Assistance Panel (TAP) Program to receive expert guidance on a redevelopment strategy that balances economics & community goals. A panel of senior-level land use and real estate professionals will provide unbiased insights during a one-day session on key questions:
    • Should the site be subdivided before disposition? What are the pros and cons?
    • If subdivided, should the Town issue one RFP for a master developer or multiple RFPs?
    • What are the benefits and risks of selecting a master developer for a site of this size in Franklin County?

Concluding the session, the public is invited to the public presentation of the panel's findings and recommendations, followed by a Q&A. The public presenation starts at 6:00PM at the Shea Theater Arts Center, located at 71 Avenue A, Turners Falls. Light refreshments will be served. This event will be recorded by MCTV.

March 10, 2026 Montague TAP Presentation Slides

March 10, 2026 Montague TAP Concept Site Plan

TAP Public Presentation and Q&A recording found: MCTV Recording

  • Farren Neighborhood Zoning & Design Guideline Project: The Town is exploring possible zoning amendments, zoning map changes, and design guidelines for parcels on Masonic Ave, Rod Shop Road, and three parcels on Montague City Road to the north and south of the former Farren Hospital site, respectively. Visit the dedicated project page found HERE for more information.

Project Background:

As part of the previous project phase, the Town focused efforts with re-envisioning the former Farren Hospital site in terms of potential land uses and activities, and to see how it may fit in with the surrounding neighborhoods and its connections, be it by foot, bicycle, wheelchair, public transit, or car. Additionally, a residential and commercial market feasibility analysis was provided. Through this planning process, the community explored what kind of uses and amenities they would like to see here, such as housing, commercial uses, and community spaces – both indoor and outdoor; explored whether a better bicycle/pedestrian connection to the adjacent Canalside Rail Trail could be provided through the Farren site; and explored ways to bring tribute to the lives touched by the Farren Hospital while in operation for many decades. With the community’s vision for various types of use and amenities, the community explored possible building forms that promote a mixed-use neighborhood-style development that is designed to promote walkability and bikeability for residents and provide possible goods, services, and activities that are marketable to this area.

One of the key findings and recommendations from the previous project phase report is for the Town to explore zoning amendments that consider the uses, amenities, and building form in which the community envisions, and to explore how to translate them into possible zoning regulations. To learn more about the previous project phase, click HERE.

Click HERE for an enlarged current zoning map.

The Montague City Village Center Rezoning Project is being administered by the Montague Planning Department, in partnership with the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC), Massachusetts Housing Partnership and Innes Associates Ltd.

Working Group:

A working group comprised of Montague residents, business owners, and Town board/committee members has been formed to provide oversight of this work, including review/comment of the project's progress reports and materials for public outreach and community engagement, and to review/comment on draft zoning amendments. The Town wishes to look to the working group (among other groups and stakeholders) for insight into subject areas and topics under discussion.

Working group members include: Colleen & Skip Descavich, Dorinda Bell-Upp, Gregg Garrison, Janel Nockleby, Jeremy Toal, Kristi Bodin, Mary Kay Mattiace, Roberta Potter, Sam Guerin, and Rob Steinberg.

Planning Board & Selectboard Meetings:

  • Past meetings:
    • March 25, 2025 Planning Board meeting - At this meeting, the Town provided a project overview, community engagment plan, and project timeline. Click HERE meeting recording, including presentation, board discussion, and public comments
    • March 31, 2025 Selectboard meeting - At this meeting, the Town provided a project overview, community engagment plan, and project timeline. Click HERE for meeting recording (presentation begins at minute 20:40, followed by board discussion and public comments)
    • August 26, 2025 Planning Board meeting - At this meeting, the board sponsored a public introduction to the full draft zoning language for the Farren sites and seek public feedback. After Board discussion, the Planning Board unanimously voted (4-0) to initiate the zoning amendment petition to the Selectboard.
      • Click HERE for meeting recording.
      • Click HERE for full draft zoning amendments reviewed at meeting.
      • Click HERE for slides presented at meeting
    • September 8 Selectboard meeting - At this meeting, the full draft zoning language for Farren sites will be presented, and the Selectboard voted in favor to refer petition to the Planning Board.
    • September 23, 2025 Planning Board meeting - At this meeting, the Planning Board opened the public hearing to review the full draft zoning language for the Farren sites and the changes to the Offical Zoning Map. Public comments were taken. The Planning Board closed the public hearing and unanimously voted 5-0-0 to recommend the Town of Montague to adopt amendments to the Zoning Bylaw and changes to the Official Zoning Map.
    • October 22, 2025 Special Town Meeting - At this meeting, Town Meeting members will vote to amend the Zoning Bylaw and Zoning Map relative to the Montague City Village Center Rezoning Project (aka Farren Rezoning Project). Click on the following hyperlinks to access the full text of the Zoning Amendments, change to the Offical Zoning Map, and other supplemental materials:

Community Engagement:

Questions/Comments:

For questions/comments, please contact Maureen Pollock, Planning Director at mpollock@montague-ma.gov or (413) 863-3200 x112.