The state senate voted in favor of passing S 2311, a comprehensive zoning reform bill meant to incentivize new home construction and “smart growth.” The bill, which is intended to address the widely-reported statewide need for more residential housing, included provisions for requiring communities to zone for “by-right” cluster developments and multifamily housing and legalizing accessory dwelling units (in-law apartments).

The Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA), while acknowledging the need for zoning reform and supporting components of the bill, spoke on behalf of many cities and towns that see the by-right provision as an end-run around local control in the form of special permits.

“The for-profit development industry has been pushing hard to preempt local decision-making authority, calling for provisions to override local zoning by mandating ‘as-of-right’ authority for developers, even though this proposed preemption of local zoning would not address the cost of housing or be linked to the development of more affordable housing,” MMA executive Director Geoff Beckwith said in a statement.

After the language of the 22 amendments to the bill are added to it, the bill will sent to the house for consideration.