Bill > H715

This bill aims to protect sunlight in certain public parks by regulating the construction of buildings and structures that could cast shadows. It redefines "new shadow" to exclude shadows from existing structures, structures with permits already granted, or proposed structures that comply with specific height limits set by Boston, Cambridge, or Lynn zoning codes as of May 1, 1990, and also excludes minor shadows from items like antennas or fences. The bill also expands the definition of "permit granting authority" to include specific sections of chapter 30 of the General Laws and adds the Inspectional Services Department in Cambridge to the list of authorities. Furthermore, it explicitly lists several parks and park areas, including the Charles River Esplanade, Christopher Columbus Park, Commonwealth Avenue Mall, Copley Square Park, Magazine Beach Park, and the Back Bay Fens, as protected areas where new structures cannot cast a "new shadow," with an exception for shadows cast only during the first hour after sunrise or before 7 AM, or the last hour before sunset.