Winthrop Council and Planning Board Hold 3A Zoning Hearing Ahead of July Deadline

WINTHROP — June 11, 2025 — Winthrop held a joint public hearing on MBTA Communities Act compliance, with no vote taken and the matter sent to the Planning Board for a formal recommendation. Town Manager Tony Marino outlined a proposal, developed with consultant RKG Associates, creating two overlay districts at Seal Harbor Road and Governor's Park that would zone for fewer units than currently exist — 333 versus 394, and 336 versus 393, respectively — and adding no new housing. Planning Board Chairman Chris Boyce confirmed base-zoning rules would prevent additional construction in either district. The town's interim compliance deadline is July 14, and a minimum of five Council votes will be required to adopt the plan. Climate commission co-chair Anna Larry warned that two Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness grants totaling roughly $1.3 million are currently at risk, and the commission estimates it will cost between $50 million and $80 million to address the town's identified flood hot spots — against roughly $5.5 million in total reserves.