How Mansfield Took a Complex State Mandate and Turned It Into a Local Opportunity

When the Town of Mansfield joined the MBTA Communities Early Adopters Program in 2022, they had a head start. Their existing zoning around the train station—specifically the Mansfield Station Revitalization Overlay District (MSROD)—already embraced many of the principles behind Massachusetts’ Section 3A zoning law.

But as anyone in municipal planning knows, early action doesn’t always guarantee smooth sailing.

By 2023, Mansfield was in their second round of compliance modeling. They were navigating new technical guidance, ten overlapping subdistricts, and a noncontiguous zoning plan—all while aiming to meet the state’s requirement to zone for 1,392 multifamily units in at least 50 acres near the station.

That’s where JM Goldson came in.

Working alongside Mansfield’s planning team, we dove into the details. We didn’t just run models—we collaborated to make sense of what was possible, what aligned with past station area planning efforts, and what would truly work for the community.

Our team, led by project manager Laura Smead, helped Mansfield test different zoning scenarios and land use configurations. The result? A compliance plan that not only met the state’s multifamily zoning capacity and acreage thresholds—but one that doubled the required land area near the station.

This wasn’t just about checking a box. It was about carrying forward Mansfield’s vision for revitalization and smart growth—while ensuring local control and clarity in the face of evolving state policy.

For us, it was another reminder: compliance can be a catalyst. When local values and state mandates align, real progress is possible.

Designing for the Future, Grounded in Community Input

When the Town of Mansfield began to look beyond compliance with the MBTA Communities law, they faced a new question: What should the future of development around the train station actually look like?

It wasn’t just about zoning lines anymore—it was about shaping places.

That’s when our team at JM Goldson partnered with the Town to take the next step. Together, we explored the full picture: fiscal impacts, design character, economic feasibility, and thoughtful zoning strategies that reflected community input.

This wasn’t just a technical exercise. We engaged the public through an open forum and a custom-built virtual engagement platform—complete with interactive maps and surveys—so that residents could share their priorities and ideas. What emerged was a shared vision, grounded in local values and guided by sound planning.

Led by Project Manager Laura Smead, we ran test fits for development scenarios, analyzed the financial implications of growth, and drafted zoning updates. And to bring it all together, we created a set of comprehensive design guidelines for the Mansfield Station Revitalization Overlay District—tools that help ensure future development will feel cohesive, walkable, and uniquely Mansfield.

The outcome? A plan that helps the Town make smart decisions—balancing design, economics, and equity—and a clearer path forward for shaping a vibrant, connected neighborhood near the station.

Because when we plan with intention and community at the center, we build more than buildings. We build places people can truly belong.