Bill > S81

This bill aims to promote housing and sustainable development in Massachusetts. It has several key provisions: 1. It requires the Department of Housing and Economic Development to establish an annual education and training program for local planning and zoning boards. 2. It creates a municipal opt-in program where communities can become "certified communities" by adopting certain zoning and land use policies, and in return receive certain incentives and benefits from the state. 3. It mandates that all municipalities have at least one zoning district that allows multi-family housing as-of-right, with minimum density requirements. 4. It requires municipalities to allow open space residential developments (also known as cluster developments) as-of-right. 5. It reduces the vesting period for certain permits and approvals, and makes other changes to the zoning and subdivision control laws to streamline development. 6. It authorizes municipalities to adopt inclusionary zoning requirements and development impact fees, subject to certain standards and requirements. 7. It makes changes to the variance and site plan review processes. 8. It requires all municipalities to update their master plans and zoning bylaws/ordinances to conform with the new requirements within set timeframes. Overall, the bill aims to spur housing production, especially multi-family and affordable housing, while also promoting sustainable land use practices. The context is that Massachusetts has faced longstanding challenges with housing affordability and development, and this legislation seeks to address those issues through various zoning and planning reforms.

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https://malegislature.gov/Bills/190/S81