NEW FEATURE!!!
Statehouse Updates
Editor’s note: What they are up to in Boston affects us here in our village. Therefore, as a complement to From the Desk of State Senator Paul Mark, Stockbridge Updates is adding a new column: Statehouse Updates. Let’s keep an eye on what’s coming down The Pike.
The inaugural column is by Christine Rasmussen. Christine has an eagle-eye when it comes to all-things government. See her note to SU in Reader to Reader. I think we will be hearing more from her in Statehouse Updates.
Beacon Hill’s Impact on Land Use and Local Control
By Christine Rasumussen
Zillow says that the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’s average home prices are among the country’s highest. Stockbridge’s average selling price is $729,856, a significant increase from $697,619 a year ago. Young families struggle to find affordable housing.
According to Boston, all municipalities must adhere to Commonwealth zoning laws that have not been significantly upgraded throughout the last century, leading to a housing shortage and a lack of housing options.
Recognizing this problem, Governor Charlie Baker enacted the first significant zoning reform in decades by signing legislation reducing from two-thirds to a simple majority of Town Meeting voters to approve bylaws/amendments and special permit requirements that increase housing density in certain situations. However, it also contained a controversial provision that requires 177 municipalities that are served by the Metro-Boston Transportation Authority (MBTA) to create a special zoning district for multi-family housing within a half mile of the station, even if there is not the infrastructure or school capacity to support the increased housing density. Not complying can mean the loss of significant funds from Commonwealth programs. In a highly watched case, the Supreme Judicial Court will determine the legality of these requirements this fall.
The Housing Bond Bill
By Christine Rasumussen
When Governor Maura Healy assumed office, she introduced a Housing Bond Bill that she said would fund or enable the creation of more than 40,000 homes, including 22,000 new homes for low-income households and 12,000 new homes for middle-income households. In addition, the bill would preserve, rehabilitate, or make resilience improvements to 12,000 homes for low-income households, support more than 11,000 moderate-income households, and fund accessibility improvements for 4,500 homes. After being amended, the legislation passed in the House of Representatives at a cost of $6.5 billion and the Senate at $5.4 billion in June. Now, a Conference Committee of three members from each branch of the legislature will develop a final bill that needs to be approved and reach the Governor’s desk by July 31. Senator Paul Mark secured passage of an amendment in this legislation, which includes Berkshire County municipalities with more than 40 percent seasonal housing units in a special designation known as “seasonal communities.” providing housing benefits to year-round residents, including many town employees and first responders.
These actions show a building movement to address housing needs in positive ways. Yet, local control is fragile, and active participation in developing local needs is essential for our legislative delegation to bring our concerns to Boston.
