SJC Judges Show Skepticism of MBTA Zoning Challenge
What the SJC will decide as it wrestles with the town of Marshfield’s lawsuit may turn on a simple, pointed line of inquiry: “What were the expenses?”
Court Case to Settle ‘Unfunded Mandate’ Claims Against MBTA Zoning
MBTA Communities Act opponents deride it as an “unfunded mandate” even though academic studies show multifamily housing usually pays more than the services it consumes.
Towns Gear Up After Auditor Declares MBTA Communities an ‘Unfunded Mandate’
The declaration dropped like a grenade into the controversy over state rezoning requirements, and it sent some towns scrambling straight for the courthouse.
Three More Suburbs Vote Down MBTA Communities Law
Voters in Halifax, Marshfield and Wrentham rejected rezoning plans to add multifamily districts to comply with the MBTA Communities law.
AG: Marshfield Has Time to Rethink MBTA Zoning Rejection
Marshfield appears unlikely to draw a state lawsuit right away after its Town Meeting on Monday reportedly rejected a plan that would have complied with new zoning requirements for communities near MBTA service.
AG Will Send Advisory On Housing Mandate
The attorney general’s office will use “every tool in [its] toolbox” if the handful of towns that have so far not complied with a state law mandating denser, multi-family housing continue to object to the new zoning laws after hearing from her office, Attorney General Andrea Campbell said on Friday.
Buyers Looked to Worcester, South Shore for Affordable Homes this Spring
The frontier in Greater Boston residents’ quest to find affordable homes moved to the South Shore and Greater Worcester this year, with implications for the way towns, cities and the state plan for the future.
