New state law aims at spurring housing development in cities like Waltham - Wicked Local
A new state law aimed at streamlining the process of multi-family developments in Greater Boston could impact Waltham's ability to block multi-unit projects.
The law, signed by Gov. Charlie Baker in January, is designed to create additional housing stock throughout the state by specifically targeting municipalities with access to public transportation.
More:Average Waltham home sold for $705,000 in 2021, realtors expect boom to continue in 2022
The law states that cities that have some form of MBTA access--subway, bus or commuter rail--must allow a certain amount of multi-family housing developments by right, meaning that proposed multi-unit projects would not need to get a special permit in order to build.
According to the state website, Waltham will have to zone for a minimum of 5,309 units in multi-family districts. The number of units is calculated based on the municipality's population and its access to MBTA services.
Waltham City Council member and State Representative Tom Stanley said that the city’s attorneys are reviewing the law and will advise the council on what it will mean for Waltham, but said laws, in general, should encourage housing development that will create more opportunities for Waltham residents.
“We need more housing, every community does,” Stanley said. “This might make it easier in certain areas, near downtown and close to public transportation, for housing to be created.”
Housing production stagnant for generations
Housing production has lagged in Massachusetts for decades, with many politicians such as Baker stating a lack of housing stock has led to Massachusetts being unaffordable for many residents. According to a state report, Massachusetts communities have permitted approximately 470,000 housing units since 1990; significantly lower than the roughly 900,000 units that were permitted from 1960 to 1990.
Stanley said that while Waltham does have a decent amount of multi-family zoning, the city can benefit from the new law making multi-family zoning more prevalent in communities that have been stricter in blocking those developments.
“In other towns that have had stronger rules against building, if those towns are able to create more housing, that will alleviate the pressure on a city like Waltham because there will just be more housing available in the area,” Stanley said.
The state has incentivized towns to adhere to the law by tying in compliance with eligibility for different state-funded programs, such as the Housing Choice Initiative and MassWorks, which help cities fund housing development and infrastructure improvements.
“Waltham has always done very well with the offices along Route 128, which is great but also brings traffic,” Stanley said. “People need to be able to reach their places of work, which is why the state is encouraging people to build near public transportation; it can alleviate the housing stock without adding as much traffic.”
Stanley added that an added factor may be that the law would encourage landlords and developers to renovate older buildings if they can now construct a multi-unit building in its place.
“Waltham has a lot of older homes, this might encourage people to renovate and provide more homes, but those homes that are also more affordable,” Stanley said.
source: https://www.wickedlocal.com/story/waltham-news-tribune/2022/02/03/mass-law-aims-spark-housing-production-waltham-metro-boston/9300533002/
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