By Bob Katzen

House 30-126, rejected an amendment to the current law, known as the MBTA Communities Act, which according to the state’s website, requires that an MBTA community “must have at least one zoning district of reasonable size in which multi-family housing is permitted as of right and meets other criteria including minimum gross density of 15 units per acre; and a location not more than 1/2 mile from a commuter rail station, subway station, ferry terminal or bus station. No age restrictions can be applied and the district must be suitable for families with children.”

Cities or towns that do not comply with the MBTA law are in danger of losing various state grants. The amendment would put the law on hold and not enforce it again until December 31, 2026.

Amendment sponsor Rep. Ken Sweezey (R-Hanson) said the law should be put on hold in order to allow public hearings on several bills filed to deal with this emergency. “[The] amendment addresses the emergency created by unfair enforcement of the MBTA Communities Act by this administration,” said Sweezey. “There are over 20 bills filed pertaining to revisions to the law. I support the public hearing process and look forward to the work we continue to do to help our towns but wish more consideration would have been given to granting temporary relief through this amendment.”

Rep Danielle Gregoire (R-Hanson) said the Supreme Judicial Court ruled that the MBTA Communities Act is the law of the land and is constitutional. She said that 95 percent of communities subject to this law are in compliance or interim compliance. She noted that this law is reasonable and mandates zoning changes but it does not mandate that anyone build anything.

(A “Yes” vote is for the delay until December 31, 2025. A “No” vote is against the delay.)

Rep. Christine Barber No Rep. Mike Connolly No Rep. Paul Donato No Rep. Erika Uyterhoeven Didn’t Vote