Community Development

The challenge to all community development projects is encouraging growth that enhances the character of a community. The process requires a commitment to collaboration and judgment to bring together a mix of many voices, clear information and well-honed ideas.

Reading PUD Zoning

Town of Reading, MA

Ed Shoucair co-authored creative improvements in the zoning bylaw for the Town of Reading, MA, to transform a 34-acre landfill into a major mixed-use development. Turning a former landfill into a mixed-use development that is a major force in the regional economy requires good planning, an energized public involvement process, and innovative land use strategies that serves both the host municipality and the business community. This highly successful development exists due to a Planned Unit Development zoning bylaw that was approved at the Town Meeting following a three-month public engagement process.

George Hines, Chair of the Reading Planning Board, remarked, “You provided us with extremely accurate, thorough, and well-thought-out analysis, recommendations, and guidance in this complicated matter of a Planned Unit Development amendment to our Zoning By-Laws. We found you to be always well prepared, knowledgeable, trustworthy and conscientious.”

Mixed-Use Development - Town of Reading, MA

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