Design Guidelines & Fiscal Impact
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.
