BROCKTON — Most Brocktonians who spoke at a public hearing about rezoning the old Fairgrounds came out against the current proposal. Their concerns? Too much traffic, too few parking spaces and too broad a leeway for the developer.
“This ordinance takes away the oversight that’s necessary,” said Veronica Stephens, who lives in Campello. She said the 66-acres of prime real estate along Belmont Street should be developed using rules other developers have had to follow.
Several skeptics said they support development in general, but had concerns about this particular project.
“We need housing. We need the tax dollars,” said Susan Thomasy, who lives about a mile from the Fairgrounds. “But the density and the commercial use and lack of parking blows me away.”
Zoning sets rules for what can and can’t be built in a particular area. The City Council is considering a “Fairgrounds Overlay District” that would allow a wide variety of residential, commercial and light industrial uses.