Legacy Boulevard Mixed-Use District Plan

Plan Overview

The Town of Dedham seeks to update zoning regulations in the Legacy Boulevard to understand the development potential and zoning necessary to support future economic growth. The Legacy Boulevard area is a critical economic engine for the Town of Dedham. The plan is expected to begin in Spring 2026 and conclude by summer 2027.

The study goals include:

  1. Conduct a collaborative community planning process for a regional economic center;
  2. Set the stage for future growth in a changing economy; and
  3. Incentivize public realm improvements and maintaining the Town’s commercial tax base.

Proposed Legacy Blvd Mixed-Use Plan Area ("Plan Area")

Background

The current zoning of the Plan Area, dating back to the 1990’s, does not necessarily support the potential future growth of the area. In addition, the historically commercial nature of the Plan Area is slowly undergoing change due to market dynamics and the steady shrinkage of the area’s retail/office market. With new development primarily focused on housing, the Plan Area is verging on becoming an “urban village”.



Scope of Work

To get ahead of these changes and plan proactively, the Town seeks to create a plan to harness the desirability of the Plan Area by promoting future economic growth, balancing impacts, addressing the Town’s housing needs, while ensuring a stable commercial tax base. The Town will embark on a community planning process by hiring a consultant team to work with the Town, Planning, and a 11-member Advisory Committee. The plan will include a market assessment, build-out analysis to understand future growth opportunities/constraints, and a comprehensive public engagement process. The result of the plan will be zoning and development guidelines submitted to the Planning Board for consideration.

The Advisory Committee will be comprised of elected officials and seven (7) Town of Dedham residents, students, business owners, and/or property owners, appointed by the Planning Board.


What is the Legacy Boulevard Mixed-Use District advisory Committee?

The Planning Board has established an eleven-person Advisory Committee comprised of the following Dedham board and committee members, residents, and stakeholders:

  • James F. McGrail, Planning Board Member
  • Michelle Persson Reilly, Select Board Member
  • Laura Barzola, Zoning Board of Appeals Associate Member
  • Michael Patriarca, Finance & Warrant Committee Member
  • Theodore Coben, resident
  • Jennifer Dopazo Gilbert, resident
  • Julie P. Livingstone, stakeholder
  • Erica Mattison, resident
  • Matt McCreary, resident
  • Richard McGuinness, resident
  • Latisha Rider, resident

The role of the Legacy Blvd Mixed-Use District Advisory Committee is to:

  • Provide input and guidance during the process
  • Facilitate and encourage public participation in the planning process
  • Serve as liaisons to their respective boards/committees and the community

The Legacy Blvd Mixed-Use District Advisory Committee will meet approximately 6 times before the conclusion of process in June 2027, and will provide regular updates to their boards and committees at upcoming public meetings. The Legacy Blvd Mixed-Use District Advisory Committee will hold its first meeting June 15, 2026 at 6:30 PM in Town Hall Room 302.

Plan Overview

The Town of Dedham seeks to update zoning regulations in the Legacy Boulevard to understand the development potential and zoning necessary to support future economic growth. The Legacy Boulevard area is a critical economic engine for the Town of Dedham. The plan is expected to begin in Spring 2026 and conclude by summer 2027.

The study goals include:

  1. Conduct a collaborative community planning process for a regional economic center;
  2. Set the stage for future growth in a changing economy; and
  3. Incentivize public realm improvements and maintaining the Town’s commercial tax base.

Proposed Legacy Blvd Mixed-Use Plan Area ("Plan Area")

Background

The current zoning of the Plan Area, dating back to the 1990’s, does not necessarily support the potential future growth of the area. In addition, the historically commercial nature of the Plan Area is slowly undergoing change due to market dynamics and the steady shrinkage of the area’s retail/office market. With new development primarily focused on housing, the Plan Area is verging on becoming an “urban village”.



Scope of Work

To get ahead of these changes and plan proactively, the Town seeks to create a plan to harness the desirability of the Plan Area by promoting future economic growth, balancing impacts, addressing the Town’s housing needs, while ensuring a stable commercial tax base. The Town will embark on a community planning process by hiring a consultant team to work with the Town, Planning, and a 11-member Advisory Committee. The plan will include a market assessment, build-out analysis to understand future growth opportunities/constraints, and a comprehensive public engagement process. The result of the plan will be zoning and development guidelines submitted to the Planning Board for consideration.

The Advisory Committee will be comprised of elected officials and seven (7) Town of Dedham residents, students, business owners, and/or property owners, appointed by the Planning Board.


What is the Legacy Boulevard Mixed-Use District advisory Committee?

The Planning Board has established an eleven-person Advisory Committee comprised of the following Dedham board and committee members, residents, and stakeholders:

  • James F. McGrail, Planning Board Member
  • Michelle Persson Reilly, Select Board Member
  • Laura Barzola, Zoning Board of Appeals Associate Member
  • Michael Patriarca, Finance & Warrant Committee Member
  • Theodore Coben, resident
  • Jennifer Dopazo Gilbert, resident
  • Julie P. Livingstone, stakeholder
  • Erica Mattison, resident
  • Matt McCreary, resident
  • Richard McGuinness, resident
  • Latisha Rider, resident

The role of the Legacy Blvd Mixed-Use District Advisory Committee is to:

  • Provide input and guidance during the process
  • Facilitate and encourage public participation in the planning process
  • Serve as liaisons to their respective boards/committees and the community

The Legacy Blvd Mixed-Use District Advisory Committee will meet approximately 6 times before the conclusion of process in June 2027, and will provide regular updates to their boards and committees at upcoming public meetings. The Legacy Blvd Mixed-Use District Advisory Committee will hold its first meeting June 15, 2026 at 6:30 PM in Town Hall Room 302.

Page last updated: 09 Jun 2026, 01:53 PM