Zoning laws may need to be updated, but most were created for a reason (safety, health, infrastructure like water, sewerage, etc.) with a master plan in mind. The state seems to have turned into a dictatorship rather than a democracy that listens to the will of the citizens. Its okay for the state to thumb their nose at the federal government laws and not enforce them but its not okay for the citizens of the town to change the laws and not comply if they don't agree with the state. People move to the suburbs to get away from high rise apartments and the new laws seem to want to encourage them. 10% seems too high in some communities - and likely will never get there. Most people want separate homes - not condos, not apartment style high rise - even affordable homes. Maybe the state should put the 10% affordable housing near MBTA communities to the ballot vote like they've done with other laws. Laws are supposed to be created because they represent the will of the citizens of the commonwealth - not the will of a few people.
Further to this the government can allow housing in wetlands, filled lots and other areas that when they flood are catastrophic - the owners seem to be really upset - for good reason but this can often be a result of not following zoning laws. Often affordable housing is built in lowlands. As I mentioned there is often a reason for zoning laws.
Thats exactly what this act would do though. Multifamily zoning does not restrict you from building single family homes it just allows for multifamily as well. This isnt a proposal to build homes it is a proposal to change zoning which would simply offer an incentive to build. If everywhere is zoned single family you wont find many investors looking to build multifamilies. It doesnt require any housing to be built your zoning just has to have a reasonably sized zone which allows for multifamily.
To say we are not experiencing an AFFORDABLE housing crisis is absolutely untrue. The mandate would allow MARKET rate housing to be built. It is a complete fantasy to think that developers will not swoop in to build more expensive housing. Affordable can mean for working people which they never discuss. There are different categories. The mandate is targeting already dense areas and forcing them to zone for by-right to create even more density. Many T-stations are in already dense areas.
Good for Milton for not going along with the state plan to import poverty and crime into their community. The reality of life is that not everyone gets to live where they want. You get to live where you can afford to live. Zoning laws exist to preserve a certain way of life. Milton should be able to keep their way of life the way it is. The voters have spoken.
This isn’t about “affordable housing” please read the actual law. This is about local towns/cities giving up sovereignty and the decision making capability to the state. Local towns/cities can certainly make the decisions to change zoning. Once the state takes over, the local residents lose their vote and do not get it back. Our government has caused this housing crisis! Why give them more power so they can line the pockets of non-profits, consultant groups and developers. There’s little money for developers to build low income housing. That’s why they are not being truthful about what type of housing this will be. Ultimately this is government overreach.
