CommunityScale, Levine Planning Strategies, and Blatman, Bobrowski, Haverty & Silverstein, LLC worked closely with the Melrose City staff to complete a comprehensive recodification of the city’s Zoning Ordinance. This collaboration modernized and streamlined Melrose’s zoning laws to reflect the community’s current and future needs. The team reorganized and rewrote the existing zoning ordinance to align with state laws, encourage the development of diverse housing types, and support the preservation of Melrose’s architectural heritage. 

Key accomplishments of the project included restructuring the zoning code for improved clarity and accessibility, removing redundant and conflicting regulations, and updating the code to comply with current state laws and court decisions. The recodification also streamlined processes by moving certain requirements, such as site plan review and special permit criteria, to separate regulations documents. The team engaged with stakeholders through multiple meetings with city staff and the Planning Board to gather feedback and ensure the recodified ordinance met the city’s needs.