The purpose of the Clasky Common TOD Overlay District is to:

4210C(i). Encourage new mixed-use development that is inclusive to all and builds on the area's existing vitality and community connections.

4210C(ii). Create jobs and bring economic development opportunities to New Bedford, including compatible industrial and commercial uses.

4210C(iii). Create new walkable and bikeable connections that foster livable and vibrant streetscapes and encourage transit use.

4210C(iv). Create human-scaled neighborhoods with welcoming public spaces and green open spaces.

4210C (v). Center climate resilience at all design scales, reducing carbon impact and mitigating the effects of sea level rise, heat islands, and stormwater runoff.

(Ord. of 8-21-25, § 1)

The boundary of the CC-TOD is shown on the following map, as may be subsequently amended by vote of the City Council. The maps are on file with the City Clerk.

Clasky Common Transit-Oriented Development District, created by the Department of City Planning, February 11, 2025.

4221C. Establishment and Boundaries of District. The following district is established to encourage appropriate scales of development and are located within the following boundaries.

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The CC-TOD is bound beginning at intersection of Kempton Street and Foster Street; then continuing northerly along the eastern sideline of Foster Street to the northern property line Lot 58-368; then easterly along the northern property line of Lot 58-368 to a point that aligns with the southwestern comer of Lot 58-304; then across North Street to the southwestern comer of Lot 58-304; then northerly along the western-most property lines of Lots 58-304;, 58-499, 58-302, and 58-301 to the southern sideline of Hillman Street; then easterly along the southern sideline of Hillman Street to the intersection of Hillman Street and Pleasant Street; then northerly along the eastern sideline of Pleasant Street to the intersection of Pleasant Street and Maxfield Street; then westerly along the northern sideline of Maxfield Street to the western property line of Lot 58-105; then northerly along the western property line of 58-105 to the southern property line of Lot 58-102; then westerly along the southern property line of Lot 58-102 to its western property line; then northerly following the western-most property lines of Lots 58-102, 58-95, and 58-94 to the northwest comer of Lot 58-94; then northerly across Sycamore Street to the southwest comer of Lot 65-222; then northerly following the jogs in the westernmost property of Lot 65-222 to its northwest comer; then northerly continuing across Campbell Street to the southwest comer of Lot 65-133; then northerly following the jogs in the western-most property line of Lot 65-133 to its northwestern comer at the southern sideline Willis Street; then easterly along the southern sideline of Willis Street to the western property line of Lot 66-12; then northerly following the westernmost property lines of Lots 66-12, 66-11, 66-130, 66-9, 66-5, 66-3, and 66-61 to the southern sideline of Pearl Street; then easterly along the southern sideline of Pearl Street to the western sideline of Purchase Street; then northerly along the western sideline of Purchase Street to its intersection with Pope Street; then westerly along the northern sideline of Pope Street to the western property line of Lot 72-113; then northerly following the westem-most property lines of Lots 72-113, 72-110, 72-107, 72-235, 72-105, and continuing across Franklin Street to follow the westem-most property lines of Lots 72-74, 72-224, 72-68, 72-64,72-220, and continuing across Merrimac Street to the northwestern comer of Lot 72-37; then westerly along the southern property line of Lot 72-36 to its western property line; then northerly along the western property line of Lot 72-36 to the southern property line of Lot 72-32; then westerly along the southern property line of Lot 72-32 to the northeastern comer of Lot 72-33; then southerly along the eastern property line of Lot 72-33 to its southern-most property line; then westerly along the southern property line of Lot 7233 to the eastern sideline of Pleasant Street; then northerly along the eastern sideline of Pleasant Street to the northwestern comer of Lot 72-31; then easterly along the northern property lines of Lots 72-31 and 72-32 to the southwestern comer of Lot 7230; then northerly along the western property line of Lot 72-30 to the southeastern corner of Lot 72-27; then westerly long the southern property line of Lot 72-27 to its western property line; then northerly along the western property of Lot 72-27 to the southern sideline of Hazard Street; then westerly along the southern sideline of Hazard Street to the intersection of Hazard Street and Pleasant Street; then northerly along the eastern sideline of Pleasant Street to the northwestern comer of Lot 78-92; then easterly along the northern property line of Lot 78-92 to the southwestern comer of Lot 78-145; then northerly along the western property lines of Lots 78-145 and 78154 to Austin Street; then easterly along the northern sideline of Austin Street to the southwestern comer of Lot 78-152; then northerly following the westem-most property lines of Lots 78-152, 78-212, 78-87, 78-86, 78-84, and 78-81 to Linden Street; then westerly along the northern sideline of Linden Steet to its intersection with Pleasant Street; then northerly along the eastern sideline of Pleasant Street to the southwest comer of Lot 78-252; then along the southern property line of Lot 78-252 to the western property line of Lot 78-55; then northerly along the westem-most property lines of Lots 78-55, 78-53, 78-51, 78-49, 78-47, 78-45, and 78-41 to the northeastern comer of Lot 78-40; then westerly along the southern property line of Lot 78-38 to the western sideline of Pleasant Street; then northerly along the western sideline of Pleasant Street to its intersection with Weld Street; then easterly along the southern sideline of Weld Street to its intersection with Purchase Street; then northerly along the eastern sideline of Purchase Street to the northwestern comer of Lot 84-335; then easterly along the northern property line of Lot 84-335 to its eastern property line; then southerly along the eastern property line of Lot 84-335 and across the Weld Street off-ramp to the northwestern comer of Lot 84-203; then easterly along the northern property line of Lot 84-203 to its eastern property line; then southerly along the eastern sideline of Route 18/JFK Boulevard to the northern comer of Lot 78-138; then southeasterly long the eastern property line of Lot 78-138 to its southeastern comer; then easterly to the intersection of Acushnet Avenue and Wamsutta Street; then easterly along the southern sideline of Wamsutta Street to the northeastern comer of Lot 72-140; then southerly following the jogs in the easternmost property lines of Lot 72-140 to its southeastern comer; then southerly along the eastern property line of Lot 66-172 to the southwestern comer of Lot 72-275; then easterly along the northern property line of Lots 66-172 and 66-127 to the western sideline of Herman Melville Boulevard; then southerly along the western sideline of Herman Melville Boulevard to its intersection with MacArthur Drive; then northwesterly along the eastern sideline of MacArthur Drive to its intersection with Hillman Street; then westerly along the southern sideline of Hillman Street to the northeastern comer of Lot 59-209; then southwesterly along the eastern property lines of Lots 59-209, 59-215, 59-56, and 59-91 to the southwestern comer of Lot 5991; then westerly along the southern property line of Lot 59-201 to the intersection of Pleasant Street and Kempton Street; then westerly along the northern sideline of Kempton Street ending at the intersection of Kempton Street and Foster Street.

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Subarea A is bound beginning at the intersection of MacArthur Drive and Herman Melville Boulevard and continuing northeasterly along the western side of Herman Melville Boulevard to the northern property line of Lot 66-127; then westerly along the northern property line of Lot 66-127 and Lot 66-172 to the eastern property line of Lot 66-172; then northerly along the eastern property lines of Lot 66-172 and Lot 72-140 to the southern side line of Wamsutta Street; then westerly along the southern side of Wamsutta Street to its intersection with Acushnet Avenue; then southerly along the eastern side line of Acushnet Avenue to its intersection with MacArthur Drive; then southerly along the eastern side line of MacArthur Drive ending at the intersection of MacArthur Drive and Herman Melville Boulevard.

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Subarea B is bound beginning at the intersection of Pleasant Street and Kempton Street; then continuing easterly along the southern property lines of Lots 59-201 and 59-91 to the eastern comer of Lot 59-91; then northerly along the eastern property lines of Lots 59-56, 59-215, and 59-209 to the overpass of Hillman Street and Route 18/JFK Boulevard; then northerly along the western sideline of Route 18/JFK Boulevard to the overpass of Route 18/JFK Boulevard and Logan Street; then westerly along the northern sideline of Logan Street to the southeastern comer of Lot 84-203; then northerly along the eastern property line of Lot 84-203 to its northern property line; then westerly to the eastern property line Lot 84-199; then northerly across the Weld Street off-ramp to the southeast comer of Lot 84-335; then northerly along the eastern property line of Lot 84-335 to its northern property line; then westerly along the northern property line of Lot 84-335 to the eastern sideline of Purchase Street; then southerly along the eastern sideline of Purchase Street to the intersection of Pleasant Street and Purchase Street; then southerly along the east sideline of Pleasant Street ending at the intersection of Pleasant Street and Kempton Street.

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Subarea C is bound beginning at the intersection of Kempton Street and Foster Street; then continuing northerly along the eastern sideline of Foster Street to the northern property line Lot 58-368; then easterly along the northern property line of Lot 58-368 to a point that aligns with the southwestern comer of Lot 58-304; then across North Street to the southwestern comer of Lot 58-304; then northerly along the western property lines of Lots 58-304;, 58-499, 58-302, and 58-301 to the southern sideline of Hillman Street; then easterly along the southern sideline of Hillman Street to the intersection of Hillman Street and Pleasant Street; then northerly along the eastern sideline of Pleasant Street to the intersection of Pleasant Street and Maxfield Street; then westerly along the northern sideline of Maxfield Street to the western property line of Lot 58-105; then northerly along the western property line of 58-105 to the southern property line of Lot 58-102; then westerly to the western property line of Lot 58-102; then northerly following the westem-most property lines of Lots 58-102, 58-95, and 58-94 to the northwest comer of Lot 58-94; then northerly across Sycamore Street to the southwest comer of Lot 65-222; then northerly following the jogs in the westem-most property of Lot 65-222 to its northwest comer; then northerly continuing across Campbell Street to the southwest comer of Lot 65-133; then northerly following the jogs in the westem-most property line of Lot 65-133 to its northwestern comer at the southern sideline Willis Street; then easterly along the southern sideline of Willis Street to the western property line of Lot 66-12; then northerly following the westem-most property lines of Lots 66-12, 66-11, 66-130, 66-9, 66-5, 66-3, and 66-162 to the southern sideline of Pearl Street; then easterly along Lot 66-61 and the southern sideline of Pearl Street to the western sideline of Purchase Street; then northerly along the western sideline of Purchase Street to the northern sideline of Pope Street; then westerly along the northern sideline of Pope Street to the western property line of Lot 72-113; then northerly following the westem-most property lines of Lots 72-113, 72-110,72-107,72-235, 72-105, and continuing across Franklin Street to follow the westem-most property lines of Lots 72-74, 72-224,72-68, 72-64, 72-220, and continuing across Merrimac Street to the southwest comer of Lot 72-37; then northerly along the western property line of Lot 72-37 to its northwestern comer; then westerly along the southern property line of Lot 72-36 to its western property line; then northerly along the western property line of Lot 72-36 to the southern property line of Lot 72-32; then westerly along the southern property line of Lot 72-32 to the northeastern comer of Lot 72-33; then southerly along the eastern property line of Lot 72-33 to its southernmost property line; then westerly along the southern property line of Lot 72-33 to the eastern sideline of Pleasant Street; then northerly along the eastern sideline of Pleasant Street to the northwestern comer of Lot 72-31; then easterly along the northern property lines of Lots 72-33 and 72-32 to the southwestern comer of Lot 7230; then northerly along the western property line of Lot 72-30 to the southeastern comer of Lot 72-27; then westerly long the southern property line of Lot 72-27 to its western property line; then northerly along the western property of Lot 72-27 Oto the southern sideline of Hazard Street; then easterly along the southern sideline of Hazard Street to the intersection of Hazard Street and Pleasant Street; then northerly along the eastern sideline of Pleasant Street to the northwestern comer of Lot 78-92; then easterly along the northern property line of Lot 78-92 to the southwestern comer of Lot 78-145; then northerly along the western property lines of Lots 78-145 and 78154 to Austin Street; then easterly along the northern sideline of Austin Street to the southwestern comer of Lot 78-152; then northerly following the westem-most property lines of Lots 78-152, 78-212, 78-87, 78-86, 78-84, and 78-81 to Linden Street; then westerly along the northern sideline of Linden Steet to its intersection with Pleasant Street; then northerly along the eastern sideline of Pleasant Street to the southwest comer of Lot 78-252; then along the southern property line of Lot 78-252 to the western property line of Lot 78-55; then northerly along the westem-most property lines of Lots 78-55, 78-53, 78-51, 78-49, 78-47, 78-45, and 78-41 to the northeastern comer of Lot 78-40; then westerly along the southern property line of Lot 78-38 to the western sideline of Pleasant Street; then northerly along the western sideline of Pleasant Street to its intersection with Weld Street; then easterly along the southern sideline of Weld Street to its intersection with Purchase Street; then southerly along the western sideline of Purchase Street to its intersection with Pleasant Street; then southerly long the western sideline of Pleasant Street to its intersection with Kempton Street; then westerly along the norther sideline of Kempton Street and ending at the intersection of Kempton Street and Foster Street.

(Ord. of 8-21-25, § 1)

4231C. Overlay District. The CC-TOD is an overlay district superimposed on underlying zoning districts. The regulations for use, dimensions, and all other provisions of the Zoning Ordinance governing the respective underlying zoning districts) shall remain in full force, except for uses allowed as of right or by special permit in the CC-TOD. Uses that are not assigned to the CC-TOD in Appendix A. Table of Use Regulations are governed by the requirements of the underlying zoning districts).

4232C. Applicability. All development proposals within the CC-TOD are subject to the conditions and requirements of this Section 4200C. All as-of-right uses are subject to the requirements of Section 5400, Site Plan Review.

4233C. Applicability of Design Standards and Guidelines. The New Bedford Planning Board may adopt and amend, by simple majority vote, Design Standards and Guidelines that shall apply to all rehabilitation, redevelopment, or new construction within the CC-TOD. Such Standards and Guidelines must be objective and not subjective and may contain graphics illustrating a particular standard or definition to make it clear and understandable.

4234C. Waivers. Except where expressly prohibited herein, upon the request of the Applicant, the Planning Board may waive dimensional and other requirements of Section 420OC in the interests of design flexibility and the overall project quality, and upon a finding of the consistency of such variation with the overall purpose and objectives of the CC-TOD, or if it finds that such waiver will allow the project to achieve the density, affordability, mix of uses, and or/physical character of allowable uses under this Section 4200C.

4235C. Waivers for Setbacks for Open Space and Public Realm Amenities. The plans and any necessary supporting documents submitted with an application for Plan Approval within the CC-TOD shall show the general location, size, character, and general area within which common open space or facilities will be located. The plans and documentation submitted to the Planning Board shall include a description of proposed ownership and maintenance provisions of all common open space and facilities and, if requested by the Planning Board, any necessary restrictions or easements designed to preserve the open space and recreational areas from future development. Upon consideration of the above information, the Planning Board may, in its sole discretion, approve a waiver as provided for in this Section 4235C for additional Front Setback to allow for common open space, public realm improvements, and recreational areas.

(Ord. of 8-21-25, § 1)

All permitted uses within the CC-TOD are shown in Appendix A. Table of Use Regulations under the column marked CC-TOD. Uses permitted within the CC-TOD by right are subject to the requirements of Section 5400 Site Plan Review.

(Ord. of 8-21-25, § 1)

All projects within the CC-TOD are subject to the dimensional standards as shown in Appendix B. Table of Dimensional Regulations and the parking standards, below.

4251C. Parking Standards. The requirements of Section 3100 Parking and Loading Standards shall apply to all projects within the CC-TOD unless modified by the requirements below.

4251C(i). Off-Street Parking, Retail Stores, Offices, and Consumer Service establishments located within one hundred (100) feet of a public off-street parking facility shall be exempt from off-street parking requirements. In all other cases, off-street parking shall be provided to meet the following minimum requirements:

4251C(ii). Off-Street Loading and Delivery: All loading shall take place on-site in a specified area designed for this purpose. Loading shall not block streets, access ways, driveways, parking, or pedestrian areas. Off-street loading facilities shall be provided, as described in Section 3100. Off-street loading facilities shall be screened from public use areas by either a fence, a landscaped buffer, or both.

4251C(iii). Location of Parking: Any surface parking lot shall, at the sole discretion of the Site Plan Review Authority, as defined in Section 5400, Site Plan Review, be located at the side or rear of a Building, relative to any public right-of-way, public open space, or pedestrian way. In no case shall surface parking for new construction be permitted within any applicable restricted Front Setback area, except for a small guest/customer parking area not to exceed ten (10) spaces in front of a non-residential building.

4251C(iv). Waiver of Parking and Loading Requirements: The Planning Board may grant a Site Plan Approval providing such relief from the standards or prescribe safeguards and conditions as it shall warrant appropriate, provided that it finds that it is impractical to meet the standards and that such modifications are appropriate by reason of the proposed Use and will not result in or worsen parking or traffic problems in the CC-TOD. The Planning Board may impose conditions of use or occupancy appropriate to such modifications, provided that the applicant voluntarily proposed the particular use and occupancy and would not impair the development of housing within the District, which is appropriate for diverse populations, including households with children, other households, individuals, households including individuals with disabilities, and seniors.

4251C(v). Cooperative Establishment and Operation of Parking Areas: Required spaces for any number of Uses may be provided in a combined Lot or Lots under common ownership, provided that the number of spaces in the combined facility shall not be less than the sum of those required of the individual Uses, with allowances made, upon formal designation, for night use or separate and distinct working shifts, and also provided that such Lot or Lots shall be within 150 feet of the Principal Buildings served.

4251C(vi). Parking Design: Parking shall be designed and constructed to comply with all applicable state and federal disability access requirements, including but not limited to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and 521 CMR and the relevant Design Standards of this Section 4200A.

(Ord. of 8-21-25, § 1)

All development projects within the CC-TOD shall incorporate the following design principles, which focus on four aspects of design. If an Applicant requests a waiver from the development standards and design guidelines established in this Section 4200C, the Planning Board shall evaluate that request for consistency with these principles:

4261C. Human Scale. New development shall prioritize pedestrian-scale building patterns and infrastructure. This principle can be expressed by creating connected street grids on large-scale industrial blocks, complying with Complete Streets requirements for new infrastructure and connections to existing infrastructure, and varying the building by height, breaks in the massing, and façade design.

4262C. Spaces for People. Public spaces shall be accessible to people with different physical abilities and affordable to all. Ground floor spaces, both interior and exterior, shall create active and welcoming streetscapes. Lighting and signage shall be oriented to the pedestrian viewpoint. The appearance of off-street parking and loading shall be minimized, with buffers, preferably landscaped, between the sidewalk and parking/loading spaces. Access to off-street parking and loading shall minimize the impact on sidewalks and crosswalks. Building facades shall emphasize the ground floor, with three-part storefront organization, welcoming lobbies, or other schemes to indicate ground-floor activity.

4263C. Climate Resiliency and Environmental Impact. Open space shall include, where appropriate, one or more of the following characteristics: meaningful links to existing adjacent open space to support the local ecology; landscaped elements that play an active role in sustainable stormwater management and climate-resilient strategies; and permeable surfaces for community gathering spaces. Buildings and sites shall focus on energy- and water-efficient construction, landscape, and operations. The goal is that building and site treatments will enhance the local ecology, strengthen climate resiliency, and support the public health of the community.

4264C. Architectural Design. The design of buildings and associated components shall be sensitive to the existing built context. Adaptive reuse of existing buildings shall preserve key historic architectural components where feasible. Infill development shall respond to the existing historic architectural composition without being derivative. For example, a new building might pick up the strong horizontal lines of the faades of the adjacent buildings without matching those buildings in style or other characteristics. New development should be sensitive to the heights and front setbacks of the adjacent buildings.

(Ord. of 8-21-25, § 1)

The following design standards apply to all projects in the CC-TOD. The Site Plan Review Authority shall determine whether projects meet the design standards through the site plan review process, as outlined in Section 5400, Site Plan Review.

In addition to the standards outlined below, the Planning Board will evaluate the consistency of this project with the New Bedford TOD Design Standards and Guidelines, as adopted and amended by the Planning Board and as authorized in Section 4233C.

4271C. Human Scale.

4271C(i). Mid-block connections. For blocks longer than 300 feet, a through-block connection is required. Building street frontages that are longer than 300 feet in total are strongly discouraged and must include a public through-block connection.

4271C(ii). Sidewalk Setbacks. Buildings shall be set back to provide adequate, accessible sidewalks, including a curb, street furniture/street tree zone, and a minimum 6-foot clear pedestrian zone. Secondary streets and side streets shall also provide a minimum 6-foot wide, clear pedestrian sidewalk. Projects shall follow all New Bedford Department of Public Infrastructure standards for sidewalks and streets.

4271C(iii). Height step-downs. Buildings shall follow the maximum height requirements as outlined in Appendix B. Table of Dimensional Standards to create a gradual increase of height from existing residential areas to the proposed new development.

4272C. Spaces for People.

4272C(i). Active ground planes. A minimum of 75% of the building face fronting the street edge of the following primary corridors shall have active ground floor uses:

a.

Acushnet Avenue, between the intersections of MacArthur Drive and Herman Melville Boulevard to the south side of Wamsutta Street.

Active uses include retail, restaurant, and cafes, personal services, other active commercial uses, publicly accessible office or residential lobbies, and active building amenity spaces (e.g., gym, residential common space). Where active commercial uses are not feasible, the following may be substituted: residential stoops; a setback of green, open space or public space with seating; public art, such as a mural or sculpture; or any other use that provides an engaging ground floor.

4272C(ii). Facade Location. A minimum of 60% of front facades at ground level shall be located at the minimum setback line to reinforce the street line.

4272C(iii). Threshold for Parking Garage. Surface parking, loading, and other non-public uses of the site (excluding private green open space) should not exceed 15% of the lot or ten (10) parking spots, whichever is greater.

4272C(iv). Connections. Sidewalks shall provide a direct connection among building entrances, the public sidewalk (if applicable), bicycle storage, and parking.

4272C(v). Vehicular access. Where feasible, curb cuts shall be minimized, and shared driveways encouraged.

4272C(vi). Screening for Parking. Surface parking adjacent to a public sidewalk shall be screened by a landscaped buffer of sufficient width to allow the healthy establishment of trees, shrubs, and perennials, but no less than 6 (six) feet. The buffer may include a fence or wall of no more than three feet in height unless there is a significant grade change between the parking and the sidewalk.

4272C(vii). Parking Materials. The parking surface may be as provided for in Section 3147.

4272C(viii). Mechanicals. Mechanical equipment at ground level shall be screened by a combination of fencing and plantings. Rooftop mechanical equipment shall be screened if visible from a public right-of-way.

4272C(ix). Dumpsters. Dumpsters shall be screened by a combination of fencing and plantings. Where possible, dumpsters or other trash and recycling collection points shall be located within the building.

4273C. Climate Resiliency and Environmental Impact.

4273C(i). Stormwater management. Strategies that demonstrate compliance of the construction activities and the proposed project with the most current versions of the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Stormwater Management Standards, the Massachusetts Stormwater Handbook, Massachusetts Erosion Sediment and Control Guidelines, and, if applicable, additional requirements under the New Bedford stormwater management regulations and MS4 Permit for projects that disturb more than one acre and discharge to the City's municipal stormwater system, and an Operations and Management Plan for both the construction activities and ongoing post-construction maintenance and reporting requirements.

4273C(ii). Large-building Setbacks. Commercial and Industrial buildings with floor plates greater than 50,000 square feet should be set back from the front lot line by a minimum of 50 feet with ecologically-functioning, green space or programmed, usable open space.

4273C(iii). Lighting. Light levels shall meet or exceed the minimum design guidelines defined by the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America (IESNA) and shall provide the illumination necessary for safety and convenience while preventing glare and overspill onto adjoining properties and reducing the amount of skyglow.

4273C(iv). Plantings. Plantings shall include species that are native or adapted to the region. Plants on the Massachusetts Prohibited Plant List, as may be amended, shall be prohibited.

4274C. Architectural Design.

4274C(i). Articulation of the Facade. Building facades over 75 feet in length are required to have a change in plane articulated by projecting or recessed bays, balconies, or setbacks. Building faades over 150 feet in length should have more substantial changes in the plane and massing.

4274C(ii). Adaptive Reuse of Historic Properties. The reconstruction or rehabilitation of Historic Properties included in, or eligible for, the National Register of Historic Places shall follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and Guidelines for Rehabilitation, and the design guidelines of the City's Bedford Landing 40C district shall apply.

4274C(iii). Signage. All signage within the CC-TOD shall follow the requirements of Section 3200, Sign Regulations.

(Ord. of 8-21-25, § 1)