Bill > H1142

This bill amends Chapter 40B of the General Laws, which governs affordable housing development in Massachusetts. Specifically, it adds provisions to Section 21 and Section 23 of Chapter 40B. The key change is that a board of appeals, which grants comprehensive permits for affordable housing projects, cannot issue such a permit for any area designated by the Commonwealth or its agencies as an "area of conservation concern," "core habitat," or "critical natural concern." This means that affordable housing projects under Chapter 40B will be prohibited from being built in areas identified as ecologically sensitive or important for conservation, regardless of other existing laws or regulations. The term "comprehensive permit" refers to a special permit that allows developers to bypass some local zoning regulations when building affordable housing under Chapter 40B.