Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Communities Multi-Family Zoning Requirement

In January 2021, the Massachusetts Legislature adopted an Economic Development Bond Bill (H.5250) that made changes to the state's Zoning Act. The "Housing Choice" sections of the bill made it easier for municipalities like ours to adopt pro-housing zoning changes and required each municipality in the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) service area to zone for multifamily housing by right. The law created a new section, Section 3A, in the Zoning Act and authorized the Executive Office of Housing & Livable Communities (EOHLC) to develop guidelines for these "MBTA Communities".

The Department of Planning and Community Development is working closely with the Planning Board, Select Board, and the broader Milton community to determine how best to develop zoning that complies with this new law and will provide regular updates throughout the planning process to the appropriate boards in public meetings and on this webpage.

Please take a few moments to fill out this brief survey to share your thoughts and help us develop zoning that works best for the town. Thank you for your time and participation.

If you want to stay as updated as possible, please join our MBTA Communities email list! To join, email Josh Eckart-Lee, our Assistant Town Planner. You can also submit your email in our survey.

About the Multi-Family Zoning Requirement for MBTA Communities

This new law requires that an MBTA community shall have at least one zoning district of reasonable size in which multi-family housing is permitted as of right and meets other criteria set forth in the statute:

• Minimum gross density of 15 units per acre
• 50% of the total area of this new district is not more than 0.5 miles from our Mattapan trolley stations
• No age restrictions and suitable for families with children

The state's Executive Office of Housing & Livable Communities has defined a zoning district of reasonable size as:

• Being at least 50 acres
• Capable of producing units equal to 25% of Milton's existing year-round housing units

According to the most recent Census data, Milton has 9,844 housing units. This calculation means that we must zone in a way that has the capacity for at least 2,461 multi-family units.

When Does Milton Need to Adopt New Zoning?

As a rapid-transit community, Milton is expected to adopt zoning that is compliant with MBTA Communities by December 31, 2023. Town Planning Staff will be working throughout the year to try and develop appropriate zoning by this date. We have applied for grant funding from the state to assist in this effort.