Bill > H4397

This bill aims to support the future development of the Commonwealth by making several changes to the state's zoning laws. Key provisions include: - Requiring the Department of Housing and Community Development to establish an annual training program for local planning and zoning boards at no cost to municipalities. - Defining key zoning terms like "affordable housing," "inclusionary housing," and "natural resource protection zoning." - Clarifying the home rule authority of cities and towns under the zoning act and the authority of regional planning agencies. - Requiring municipalities to allow accessory dwelling units in single-family homes under certain conditions. - Establishing requirements for "open space residential development" and allowing it by-right in certain circumstances. - Authorizing the use of "development impact fees" to offset the impacts of new development. - Allowing municipalities to require "inclusionary housing" in new residential or mixed-use developments. - Creating a "land use dispute avoidance process" to help resolve conflicts. - Revising the standards and procedures for zoning variances. The bill also includes provisions relating to subdivision control, taxation of forestland and farmland, and fair housing protections.