New Zoning Law Would Increase Exemptions

BOSTON-Legislators attached an amendment to a housing bill here that will enable many towns and cities in this state to be exempt from the so-called anti-snob zoning law. Under the law, if less than 10% of the total housing in a city or town is deemed affordable, developers who build housing for lower and middle income residents there are exempt from the local zoning rules. A number of towns and cities decried the landmark law, as developers would add affordable housing to their plans to bypass local zoning laws.

Under Chapter 40B of the law, municipalities can count mobile homes and apartments where state-subsidized tenants live as affordable housing allowing approximately 70 additional communities to make it over the 10% mark without building any additional affordable housing. The amendment was part of an omnibus housing bill and was passed by the House.