Chamber joins 70 organizations in support of MBTA Communities Law
Chamber joins 70 organizations in support of MBTA Communities Law
Supreme Judicial Court to hear Milton case Monday
The Charles River Regional Chamber and more than 70 organizations -- representing businesses, unions, legal and housing industries -- has joined amicus briefs in support the Attorney General’s lawsuit against the Town of Milton for its noncompliance with the MBTA Communities Law.
Oral arguments in Attorney General v. Town of Milton will be heard by the Supreme Judicial Court this Monday, Oct. 7.
The chamber signed onto a brief prepared by the Citizens’ Housing and Planning Association.
Other signers to the CHAPA brief include Engine 6 Newton Housing Advocates, Building a Better Wellesley, Greater Boston Real Estate Board, MetroWest Collaborative Development, 2Life Communities, the Black Economic Counsel of Massachusetts, Eastern Bank, Greater Boston Interfaith Organization and Massachusetts Association of Realtors, among others.
The brief was one of one dozen briefs submitted in support of the arguments made by the Attorney General and the state’s Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities.
The supportive briefs argue that the MBTA Communities Law addresses a longstanding housing crisis that disproportionally impacts marginalized communities and that any effective workforce and economic development in the Commonwealth requires substantially more transit-oriented housing.
The arguments also support the Attorney General’s ability to enforce the mandatory law.
Passed in 2021, MBTA Communities Act is a bipartisan law that addresses the Commonwealth’s housing affordability crisis by requiring municipalities within the MBTA’s service area to have at least one zoning district of reasonable size in which multi-family housing is permitted as of right.
177 towns and cities are subject to the law. To date, 75 municipalities have now embraced the new zoning changes that will create more housing and lower costs across the state, with more communities expected to approve compliance plans this fall.
Newton and Wellesley have approved compliance plans. Needham Town Meeting will be asked to select one of two compliance plans on Oct. 21. Watertown is on track to complete its work by year’s end.
“Dozens of communities across the state are saying yes to housing and putting forward thoughtful plans that will increase housing production and lower costs for people,” said Governor Maura Healey.
“When communities say yes to housing production, they are saying yes to making housing more affordable for the teachers, first responders and middle-class families that make our communities strong.
“We’re grateful for the communities that have adopted these changes and look forward to celebrating many more who will keep up this momentum this fall.”