2026 Farren Neighborhood Zoning & Design Guideline Project

Update:

Thursday, June 4, 2026 Community Meeting #2 from 6:00 – 7:30pm via Zoom to review/discuss the draft zoning text and draft design guidelines for the Farren Neighborhood parcels; and to review/discuss draft design guidelines for the former Farren parcels. For more info, meeting materials, and Zoom login, click HERE.

Project Background:

Explore possible zoning amendments, zoning map changes, and design guidelines for parcels on Masonic Ave, Rod Shop Road, and parcels on Montague City Road to the north and south of the Farren. See project area map for parcels to be explored.

Additionally, we will consider design guidelines for the former Farren Hospital parcels.

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.

• Working Group Meeting #1: The Town is held its first working group meeting at 6:00pm on Thursday, February 26 via Zoom.
• Working Group Meeting #2: The Town is scheduled to hold its second working group meeting at 6:00pm on Thursday, May 21 via Zoom.

Community Engagement:

• Neighborhood Stakeholders Meeting:
  • Meeting #1: The Town is scheduled to hold its first neighborhood stakeholder meeting at 5:00pm on Tuesday, February 10 at 20 Masonic Avenue.
  • Meeting #2: The Town is scheduled to hold its first neighborhood stakeholder meeting at 6:00pm on Tuesday, May 12 via Zoom
    • Presentation Slides

• Community-wide meetings:
  • Workshop #1: The Town hekd its first community-wide workshop on Tuesday, March 31 at 6:30pm at the Shea Theater Arts Center, 71 Avenue A, Turners Falls.
    • Event Flyer
    • Meeting Recording
    • Presentation Slides
  • Workshop #2: The Town is scheduled to hold its second community-wide workshop on Thursday, June 4 at 6:00pm via Zoom.
    • Date/Time: 6:00 – 7:30pm on Thursday, June 4, 2026
    • Meeting Purpose: To review/discuss the draft zoning text and draft design guidelines for the Farren Neighborhood parcels; and to review/discuss draft design guidelines for the former Farren parcels.
    • Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86774421444?pwd=UtCXUUfOrY97a2LpwICIU3h92DoNSY.1&jst=1
    • Meeting ID: 867 7442 1444
    • Passcode: 108493
    • One tap mobile: (301) 715-8592

    • Meeting Materials: Hyperlinks to the proposed zoning text + current/proposed zoning map + proposed design guidelines

Questions/Comments:

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