Housing Headlines

LEXINGTON --- Spurred by the state’s MBTA Communities Law, Lexington became the first town to pass zoning to comply with the law when Town Meeting voted for approval in April 2023. Nearly 1,000 new apartments and condos are in the pipeline to be built under the new rules.

Needham --- Opponents in Needham have enough signatures to force a referendum on the MBTA Communities Law. This after Town Meeting approved a plan that would put taller, denser housing near commuter rail stations. The referendum is tentatively scheduled for Jan. 14

STATE --- Adoption of the state's zoning reform in communities with or near MBTA service has crossed the century mark. According to Citizens' Housing and Planning Association, (CHAPA), the 100th community’s successful zoning vote came on Tuesday, 11/19, when Millis, Kingston, Ashland, Fitchburg and Lawrence each approved plans. Bellingham followed suit on 11/20. The law mandates multifamily zoning by right in 177 communities with or adjacent to MBTA service. Communities that fail to comply can lose eligibility for state grant programs.

MILLBURY --- A Millbury Special Town Meeting voted down an article that would have amended the town's zoning bylaw and zoning map to be in compliance with the state law. Residents at the meeting said they feared the zoning law could alter the character of the town and would relinquish the town's zoning to the state.

NEEHAM --- Town Meeting voted to adopt an expansive approach to compliance with the state’s MBTA Communities Act. The decision will create zoning that allows substantial building of multifamily housing near the town’s MBTA stations. The vote was 118-90. The next step is final compliance review by the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities and the attorney general.

STATE --- The Citizens’ Housing and Planning Association has lined up 11 prominent business and nonprofit leaders as co-chairs of its new “Our Massachusetts” campaign. Their goal: helping yes-in-my-backyard folks get more housing approved at the local level. The ultimate goal is seeing 200,000 homes across income levels built by 2030.