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.