Bill > H1116

This bill amends Section 20 of Chapter 40B, a Massachusetts law that facilitates the development of affordable housing, by redefining what is considered "Consistent with local needs." Previously, this term referred to local zoning requirements and regulations that were reasonable and applied equally to all housing types. The bill expands this definition to explicitly include considerations for protecting a community's water supply and natural water resources, alongside existing concerns like promoting good design, preserving open spaces, and ensuring public health and safety. It also clarifies that requirements are considered consistent with local needs if a town already has a significant amount of affordable housing or if the proposed development meets specific size thresholds, while excluding certain publicly owned land from these calculations.