Bill > S159

This bill aims to promote livable communities and zoning reform in Massachusetts. Key provisions include: - Establishing state policies and goals to encourage sustainable growth and development, including discouraging sprawl, supporting revitalization of urban areas, protecting natural resources, and coordinating planning efforts across state agencies and levels of government. - Creating a Council for a Sustainable Commonwealth to oversee and coordinate state agency planning and investment decisions to align with sustainable development principles. - Requiring state agencies to develop five-year sustainable development plans and consider secondary growth impacts. - Providing incentives, including reduced grant matching requirements, for municipalities that adopt certified local sustainable development plans. - Amending zoning laws to establish clear purposes and requirements, allow more flexibility for non-conforming structures and uses, enable site plan review processes, and authorize municipalities to adopt development impact fee programs. - Strengthening regional planning, including requirements for regional sustainable development plans, designation of Concentrated Development Centers and Targeted Investment Areas, and coordination with local plans. The bill aims to promote sustainable, livable communities across Massachusetts through coordinated state, regional, and local planning and development policies.

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https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/S159