In exchange for opting into the plan, communities would be able to qualify for incentives, including priority consideration for state grants, technical aid to review and revise local development rules and aggressive state marketing of priority development sites. The state also would commit to a fast-track permitting process under the proposal.

David Begelfer, chief executive officer of the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties' Boston branch, tells GlobeSt.com that the legislation is sorely needed to bring new businesses to Massachusetts. "Clearly the state of Massachusetts is far behind other states when it comes to permitting property. That is putting us at a disadvantage." He is hopeful it will start some competitive movement among municipalities where those that do opt in to the plan will be seen as having an advantage.

While the proposal will help speed up the approval process, Begelfer says more still needs to be done. "We believe this is a very good start but it really needs to be coordinated with different industries that have a need for expansion, like the biotech industry. We should be moving forward on appeal reform."

Begelfer says NAIOP is currently looking to sponsor legislation that will allow developers who have had permits appeals to continue with a development at their own risk. The group also is looking into a plan that will allow state courts to establish a special court section to hear and decide on permitting appeals. Begelfer says it is unclear exactly when the Legislature will vote on the Streamlined Municipal Permitting Initiative, which will be filed as a supplemental budget amendment.