Photo courtesy of Boston Planning and Development Agency

Boston Planning & Development Agency directors approved new zoning regulations for one of the city’s last pockets of industrial real estate and the epicenter of the opioid crisis.

The Newmarket rezoning vote culminates a four-year process, including 27 public meetings in which the agency sought public comment on maximizing the potential of the Newmarket district off Interstate 93.

They divide the neighborhood into three new industrial subdistricts, including a creative industrial district. The core industrial district will allow office, lab and R&D uses on the upper floors of buildings.

The process began in 2019 with a focus on preventing displacement of essential businesses such as food distributors, BPDA Senior Planner Ted Schwartzberg told the agency’s directors Thursday. 

“Despite the COVID pandemic, there still is a decrease in availability of urban industrial spaces and an increase in costs,” Schwartzberg said.

Beyond land-use regulations, public comments also focused on the social crisis in the Mass and Cass area, where businesses and residents have complained about the homeless encampments located near social service agencies.

While a task force appointed by Mayor Michelle Wu and a new Business Improvement District concentrate on the public safety and health crisis, the zoning amendments seek to clarify the rules for traditional and “21st-century industrial” uses.

A comment period runs through Sept. 8 before the changes go to the Zoning Commission for final approval.