Bill > H3923

This bill grants the city of Somerville the authority to require and review institutional master plans for large institutions within its boundaries, specifically targeting hospitals, health care institutions, colleges, universities, and non-profit educational corporations. An institutional master plan is defined as a comprehensive land-use and development plan that outlines an institution's growth and development strategies over multiple years or phases, designed to provide predictability for both the institution and the community. Despite existing state laws that might otherwise restrict such local regulation, this legislation allows Somerville to adopt local legislation to review and potentially regulate land use for these institutional facilities. The bill's purpose is to promote coordinated and predictable development by giving the municipality more oversight into how these institutions plan to grow and expand, ensuring that potential impacts on the community are carefully considered and addressed. The legislation would take effect immediately upon passage, providing Somerville with new tools to manage institutional development within its borders.

Government Affairs

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H3923