Bill > S117

This bill, titled "To promote livable communities," aims to encourage sustainable development across the Commonwealth by establishing a framework for coordinated planning and resource management at state, regional, and local levels. It emphasizes the importance of preserving the Commonwealth's natural, historical, and cultural values, which are currently threatened by uncoordinated land use. Key provisions include the creation of a "Council for a Sustainable Commonwealth" to oversee and coordinate state agency capital planning and resolve inconsistencies, and the requirement for state agencies to develop five-year sustainable development plans that prioritize revitalization of existing areas and minimize environmental impact. The bill also mandates that regional planning commissions develop regional sustainable development plans and that municipalities create local sustainable development plans, which must include elements like land use, natural resources, housing, economic development, and transportation. To support these efforts, a Sustainable Development Grant Fund will be established to provide financial assistance to municipalities and regional planning commissions for plan development, and existing funds will be reallocated to support these initiatives. The bill also introduces incentives for municipalities that adopt certified local sustainable development plans and requires state agencies to consider consistency with these plans when awarding grants and reviewing projects.