The City of Lowell selected CommunityScale to lead a citywide comprehensive zoning rewrite. This work follows Nels and Sarabrent’s contribution to Lowell’s transit-oriented multifamily overlay zone.
The process is starting with an audit of the existing zoning, including a deep dive on non-conformity and variances, which you can explore on this open source web map.
This work comes at a seminal moment for Lowell, as the City of Lowell was recognized as the first U.S “Frontrunner City” in Urban Transformation under the Global Frontrunner Cities Initiative led by the Urban Economy Forum (UEF) in Geneva, Switzerland. As part of this designation, Lowell will be advancing transformative community projects across the city.
CommunityScale is partnering with Jeff Levine of Levine Planning Strategies for policy guidance and Jonathan Silverstein of BBHS Law for legal expertise. The primary goal of the project is to create a modern, user-friendly zoning ordinance that aligns with the city’s Lowell Forward Comprehensive Plan and Housing Production Plan. This rewrite aims to promote diverse housing production, support job creation, and make the development process more efficient and predictable for everyone.
The project will unfold over the next year with an expected completion date of June 2026. Following the initial audit, the team will focus on stakeholder and public engagement. This includes forming a Comprehensive Zoning Review and Rewrite Advisory Group composed of city staff, board members, and elected officials. The engagement strategy is designed to build on the extensive community feedback gathered during the Lowell Forward and HPP processes, ensuring residents’ voices continue to shape the city’s future.
Ultimately, the process will result in a completely rewritten zoning code and an updated zoning map. The new ordinance will be restructured to be more logical and accessible, using plain language, graphics, and tables to clarify regulations. The final phase of the project will involve supporting the City through the public hearing and adoption process, including training for city staff on the new ordinance.
