Bill > H1296

This bill amends the definition of "Consistent with local needs" in the existing Massachusetts affordable housing law, Chapter 40B. The key changes are: 1) It allows local requirements and regulations to be considered "consistent with local needs" if they are reasonable in view of the regional need for low and moderate-income housing, the number of low-income persons in the city/town, the need to protect the health/safety of the proposed housing occupants or town residents, to promote better site and building design, to preserve the municipal water supply or regional natural water resources, or to preserve open spaces. 2) It specifies that requirements/regulations will be considered consistent with local needs when imposed by a zoning appeals board after a comprehensive hearing in a city/town where low/moderate-income housing already exceeds 10% of total housing units or comprises more than 1.5% of the total residential/commercial/industrial land area, or where the proposed project would result in construction of such housing on more than 0.3% of that land area or 10 acres per year.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/H1296