Editing Lowell, Massachusetts (section)

=== Zoning, development and the Massachusetts Miracle ===
In the 1970s, Lowell became part of the [[Massachusetts Miracle]], being the headquarters of [[Wang Laboratories]]. At the same time, Lowell became home to thousands of new immigrants, many from [[Cambodia]], following the [[genocide]] at the hands of the [[Khmer Rouge]]. The city continued to rebound, but this time, focusing more on culture. The former mill district along the river was partially restored and became part of the [[Lowell National Historical Park]], founded in the late 1970s.[[File:Lowell Park HQ.jpg|thumbnail|left|Former mill agent's house]]

Although Wang went bankrupt in 1992, the city continued its cultural focus by hosting the nation's largest free folk festival, the [[Lowell Folk Festival]], as well as many other cultural events. This effort began to attract other companies and families back to the urban center. Additional historic manufacturing and commercial buildings were [[adaptive reuse|adapted]] as residential units and office space. By the 1990s, Lowell had built a new ballpark and arena, which became home to two minor league sports teams, the [[Lowell Devils]] and [[Lowell Spinners]]. The city also began to have a larger student population. The [[University of Massachusetts Lowell]] and [[Middlesex Community College (Massachusetts)|Middlesex Community College]] expanded their programs and enrollment. During the period of time when Lowell was part of the Massachusetts Miracle, the Lowell City Development Authority created a Comprehensive Master Plan which included recommendations for zoning adaptations within the city. The city's original zoning code was adopted in 1926 and was significantly revised in 1966 and 2004, with changes included to respond to concerns about overdevelopment.<ref>City of Lowell Master Plan Update: Existing Conditions Report, Department of Planning and Development, December 2011, 3.0 Land-Use p. 31</ref>

In 2002, in lieu of updating the Comprehensive Master Plan, more broad changes were recommended so that the land use and development would be consistent with the current master plan. The most significant revision to the 1966 zoning code is the adoption of an inclusion of a [[transect-based zoning code]] and some aspects of a [[form-based code]] style of zoning that emphasizes urban design elements as a means to ensure that infill development will respect the character of the neighborhood or district in question. By 2004, the recommended zoning changes were unanimously adopted by the City Council and despite numerous changes to the 2004 Zoning Code, it remains the basic framework for resolving zoning issues in Lowell to this day.<ref>City of Lowell Master Plan Update: Existing Conditions Report, Department of Planning and Development, December 2011, 3.0 Land-Use p. 32</ref>
[[File:Pawtucket Canal at Central St looking west, Lowell MA.jpg|thumbnail|right|Pawtucket Canal]]

The [[Hamilton Canal District]] (HCD) is the first district in Lowell in which regulation and development is defined by Form-Based Code (HCD-FBC) and legislated by its own guiding framework consistent to the HCD Master Plan.<ref>Hamilton Canal District Form-Based Code Zoning Section, City of Lowell Zoning Section 10.3, February 2009 p. 4</ref> The HCD is a major redevelopment project that comprises 13 acres of vacant, underutilized land in downtown Lowell abutting former industrial mills. [[Trinity Financial]] was elected as the Master Developer to recreate this district with a vision of making a mixed-use neighborhood. Development plans included establishing the HCD as a gateway to downtown Lowell and enhanced connectivity to [[Lowell (MBTA station)|Gallagher Terminal]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.trinityfinancial.com/sub/hamiltoncanal.php |title=Hamilton Canal District, Lowell, Massachusetts |website=trinityfinancial.com |publisher=Trinity Financial LLC |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006125014/http://www.trinityfinancial.com/sub/hamiltoncanal.php |archive-date=October 6, 2014 }}</ref><ref>Hamilton Canal District Master Plan, September 2008 p.. 6</ref>