Drone Regulations, Rt. 1 Zoning Highlight Town Meeting Warrant

FOXBOROUGH, MA — Drone restrictions, the completion of Sam Berns Community Field, and zoning changes on Route 1 are among the 24 proposed articles Town Meeting voters will be asked to consider in May.

Article 10 calls for changes on Route 1 by allowing hotels, retail, brewpub, and research and development projects by-right, as opposed to by special permit. Allowing outdoor athletic facilities in the R-40 residential district would be allowed as well, a change that is being backed by the New England Revolution as they look to build new practice fields behind the south marketplace at Patriot Place. Other proposed changes include building height, parking provisions, and the amount of space a property can dedicate to retail space.

If approved, Article 6 would complete the years-long process to complete Sam Berns Community Field by using $1.15 million to add an eight-lane track, bleachers, and press box. The turf field was approved at the 2013 Annual Town Meeting and opened in the fall of 2014.

Article 24 adds some regulations to unmanned air crafts and drones by creating a new regulation which would make it unlawful to launch or land a drone within a mile of an open-air event sponsored or licensed by the town two hours before or after the event and within two miles of Gillette Stadium four hours before or after a major event. A major event is defined as any sporting event, concert, or form of entertainment with more than 1,000 people.

Other votes will be on the proposed $79.5 million municipal budget, contracts for town firefighters and DPW workers, and a citizen's petition to submit special legislation to allow Hops and Grapes to upgrade their package store wine and malt license to an all-alcohol license.

The Annual Town Meeting will take place May 14 at 7:30 p.m. at Foxborough High School.

Below is the full warrant:

2018 Foxborough Annual Town Meeting Warrant by DanLibon on Scribd

Image: File Photo