Bill > S2617

This bill grants the city of Worcester, Massachusetts, specific local authority to develop and implement Institutional Master Plan (IMP) regulations for large-scale institutional facilities. An Institutional Master Plan is a comprehensive land-use and development plan that covers properties owned or used by institutions like hospitals, colleges, universities, and non-profit educational corporations. The bill allows Worcester to adopt local zoning ordinances that can require these institutions to submit master plans for public review, with the goal of addressing potential community development impacts. Under this legislation, the city can mandate that special permits for such institutions expire and be renewed every 10 years, and can require existing institutions to apply for a special permit within 120 days of the ordinance's adoption. The bill provides Worcester with more local control over institutional development by enabling detailed planning and periodic review of how these significant landowners and community institutions grow and change. The legislation takes effect immediately upon passage and overrides any existing general or special laws that might previously have limited the city's ability to implement such regulations.

Government Affairs

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S2617