Middleborough Master Plan Land Use, Housing, and Economic Development Boards
What is SRPEDD and what do we do? Introduction
We work with you, and we learn from your vision for Middleborough.
SRPEDD
The Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District (SRPEDD) is Middleborough’s regional planning agency. We serve a community of 27 cities and towns in Southeastern Massachusetts.
We partner with the State and Federal Government, nonprofits, community groups, and community members across Southeastern Massachusetts to plan for the region’s land use/ zoning, transportation, environment, economy, housing, and more.
Ongoing & Recent Planning
• Middleborough Master Plan (Currently updating)
• Hazard Mitigation Plan (2023)
• APC and Nemasket Watershed Management and Climate Action Plan (2022)
• Energy Reduction Plan (2017)
• Open Space and Recreation Plan (2022, finalizing)
Ongoing Engagement
Your input is essential to create the most representative vision and recommendations.
What else do you want to know about SRPEDD or the Master Plan Update in Middleborough?
Open Space, Sustainability, Natural and Cultural Resources Workshop
SRPEDD at the Herring Run Festival
Existing Conditions and Outreach Housing
We heard your thoughts about housing conditions in our survey.
Quick Facts
Middleborough is aging.
As of 2022, 27.4% of the population in Middleborough is 60 years and over. Compared to the year 2000, only 14% of the population was ages 60 years and older.
Middleborough is growing.
Middleborough is expected to grow over the next 6 years. According to UMass Donahue Institute, Middleborough is predicted to have a population of 27,585 in 2030. This is an increase of 3,317 people from 24,268 in 2022.
Middleborough residents qualify for affordable housing programs.
In Middleborough, 42.52% of owners and 80.05% of renters qualify for some form of subsidized or deed-restricted affordable housing programs, meaning the household falls at or below 100% of the Area Median Income.
Middleborough’s market conditions:
The median sale price for a single-family home was $485,000 in 2022.
Housing Production Plan Survey Results (232 Participants)
Do you feel there are enough senior housing options in Town?
Do you feel there are family-appropriate housing options in Town?
Do you feel there are enough housing options for Veterans in Town?
Do you feel Middleborough’s current housing stock is meeting its community’s needs?
Questions
What types of housing would better help meet the community’s needs?
Housing Assets and What’s Missing? Housing
How are we meeting the community’s needs?
Housing assets are programs, resources, housing opportunities and other services implemented to prevent and end housing insecurity and homelessness.
Examples of Local Housing Assets
Do you think there is enough housing resources and supportive services for Middleborough residents? Why or why not? Questions
Do you know where to find housing services or where to direct a friend who needs housing services in Town?
Middleborough Housing Authority State Family Housing: Archer Court State Elderly Housing: Nemasket Apts
Housing
Accessory Dwelling Units
What is an ADU and what are your questions about them?
Accessory dwelling units (ADUs), also known as “accessory apartments,” are now allowed by right on single-family lots with the signing of the Affordable Homes Act on August 6th, 2024.
What is an ADU?
Small, secondary living spaces located on the same lot as a principal dwelling unit.
What does the Affordable Homes Act change for ADUs?
The act removes key regulatory barriers that have made ADUs more expensive and less feasible in some states. Specifically, the act “prohibits owner occupancy requirements, parking minimums within ½ mile of transit, and discretionary reviews” (EOHLC).
How can ADUs benefit Middleborough?
Accessory dwelling units can support downsizing seniors, recent graduates, small families, and individuals with disabilities.
Examples
More information regarding by-right ADUs is expected to come in Fall 2024 from the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC). The amendments will become effective on February 2nd, 2025.
Visit www.srpedd.org/ADUs for more information.
Questions
What questions do you have about ADUs in Middleborough?
If you live in a house where it is feasible for you, would you consider building an ADU? Why or why not?
Backyard Shed/Tiny Home Over-Garage
Attic/Dormer Addition Side/Rear Addition
Sustainable Economic Development Sustainability
How can we balance our economic needs with other community needs?
Sustainability is sometimes defined using three words: Environment, Economy, and Equity. Each of these pillars should be considered within sustainable development.
For towns like Middleborough, community members can work toward sustainability goals in their lives. For example, you can advocate for initiatives that seek to meet our current social, economic, cultural, and environmental needs without compromising futuer generations.
Environment Economy Equity Skill builder: How can we support sustainability in Town?
What could sustainable economic development look like in Middleborough?
Place a sticker next to any of the following examples that you would like to see in Town.
Existing Conditions
Land Use and Economic Development
Middleborough has a total area of 72.3 square miles and, as of 2020, a total population of 24,245.
Out of the land in town, 3% is used to grow cranberries. This is 1,400 acres worth of bogs.
What types of jobs do Middleborough residents have?
As of late 2022, over 30% of residents in Middleborough hold jobs in Retail, Health Care, or Hospitality.
In 2022, average weekly wages across town were $1,152.
This is 17% below the Plymouth county average in 2023.
Definitions
What do we mean when we say “economic development”?
Economic development is the process of fostering a stable and growing economy that enhances the quality of life for all residents within a community.
The economic development chapter will address ways to sustain a stable yet growing local economy that enhances the quality of life for all Middleborough residents.
Common Types of Economic Development
Tourism Development Downtown Revitilization Transportation Improvements
Brownfields Redevelopment Agricultural Preservation Support for Small Businesses
Questions
Which of these types of economic development are you most interested in? Put a sticker on the ones you would like to see more of in Middleborough.
Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats
What are Middleborough’s Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats related to economic development? Leave a sticky note below and tell us what you think.
Strengths
Strengths are what make a community’s economy robust and resilient. Examples could include:
Weaknesses
Weaknesses are areas of improvement. What are economic weaknesses the Town should think about? Examples could include: Great downtown Walkable Limited Infrastructure Confusing Permitting
Opportunities
Opportunities are areas of expansion and growth. What are Middleborough’s economic opportunities? Examples could include: Downtown revitilization Agritourism
Threats
Threats are external pressures and areas of concern. What threatens the town’s economic development? Examples could include: More flood events High costs of living
Land Use Activity
What types of uses do you want to see and where?
Using the stickers, designate which land use types you would like to see, would tolerate, or would not like to see in town.
Would not like to see Downtown Middleborough
Would like to see
Would tolerate
Middleborough
Would like to see
Would tolerate
Would not like to see
Route 28
Would like to see
Would tolerate
Would not like to see
Would like to see
Would tolerate
Would not like to see
Agritourism
Which agritourism activities would you like to see more of in Middleborough?
Place a sticker on the agritourism opportunities you’d be most excited about seeing more of in town.
Questions
Have you participated in any of the above agritourism activities, in town or otherwise? If so, what did you enjoy about the experience?
What resources and support do local farmers need?
Pick-your-own Produce
Recreational Fishing
Bog Tours
Farmers’ Markets
Farm Tours
Agricultural Fairs
Placemaking and Tourism
How can Middleborough change with the seasons?
How can businesses embrace the summer? How can public spaces transform in the winter? Put a sticker on the types of changes you would like to see in town, and add your suggestions using sticky notes.
