Bill > H1257

This bill amends Chapter 40B of Massachusetts General Laws, which governs the creation of low and moderate-income housing, by clarifying the definition of "uneconomic" in relation to housing projects. Essentially, it states that a housing project will not be considered "uneconomic" if a local zoning board of appeals imposes conditions or regulations that are reasonable in terms of building size, height, yard space, lot size, setbacks, open areas, parking, and building coverage, as long as these conditions do not prevent the development of a parcel that is physically or environmentally unsuitable for the proposed density. The bill also adds that a zoning board's decision to deny or condition a housing permit will not be overturned if the denial or conditions are based on these reasonable limitations or concerns about the parcel's suitability or the project's density.