The Truro Zoning Task Force (ZTF) issued two proposals since September for two new Overlay Districts. The Truro community has barely recovered from the extensive changes – and challenges – introduced in the Walsh Overlay District (WOD), which voters approved by a slim majority in May 2025. The “majority” vote basis was challenged at the ATM and subsequently, asserting the vote should have been on a 2/3rd basis. It remains a challenged issue at this time.
More recently, the ZTF recommended creating a second overlay district – North Truro Overlay District – with changes to the zoning along the Rt 6A corridor in two parts: Zone A for the areas along Rt 6A from the Shore Rd split at Route 6 to Knowles Heights; and Zone B, the commercial district running from Rt 6 along Highland and Pond Village Road, just short of the Pond. A map of the North Truro Overlay District zones can be seen here. (The ZTF refers to this area as the “Highland/Shore Focus Area” or HOD).
Last week, the ZTF proposed an Overlay district for the Downtown Truro area 0 the R2 Overlay District (ROD), also in two parts: A residential zone on both sides of Downtown Truro, from Old Pamet Rd (near Cobb Library) and out along Castle Rd past Meetinghouse Rd, approaching Tom’s Hill. and the areas behind Town center, running from the Pamet River to the end of Hatches Road, past Depot Road. It also includes a Business/Limited Business zone from the point where Truro Center Rd meets Rt 6 (near Will o’ the Wisp) and continuing through Downtown Truro to the split with Castle Road. A map of the “Downtown Truro” R2 Overlay District can be seen here.
The recommendations for WOD, HOD and ROD include transformative changes to allow non-conforming lots to be developed by right, will allow significant increases to density and building height, decreases to lot size and setbacks, and will allow mixed use, including commercial/retail in newly created overlay zones. The aim is to develop housing options and alternatives, but the question is “for whom?”
Listening to the ZTF, this seems to be just the start.
Truro voters have begun to grumble, not only over the hubris such high-impact changes appear to reflect from a temporary and appointed committee, but the manner in which development will be allowed to proceed virtually unchecked if they are approved. Time will tell if this receives more extensive pushback.
The implications are far-reaching, not just for development but also for all the related infrastructure needed to handle such development, for the costs of such expansion, and for the known and adverse environmental and safety impacts. These need to be balanced against the need for housing that’s affordable for housing-challenged Truroites, foremost.