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


Map showing MBTA Communities by CategoryIn 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.

Read our Frequently Asked Questions!

MBTA FAQ Image

Resources

ResourceDescriptionDate
Fiscal Impact AnalysisRKG's report on the Fiscal Impact Analysis of adopting MBTA CommunitiesNovember 22, 2023
FAQs about MBTA Communities
An updated list of 20 frequently asked questions about how the MBTA Communities Law impacts Milton and the planning process.November 21, 2023
Final District Map
Final district map for MBTA Communities subdistrictsNovember 9, 2023
MBTA Communities Zoning LanguageLanguage for Article 1 and Article 2, relating to MBTA Communities, as it will appear in the December 2023 Special Town Meeting warrant.
November 9, 2023
November Public Forum Video Recording
MATV video recording of November 1st planning staff public forum
November 1, 2023
November Public Forum PresentationPlanning staff presentation from the November 1st public forum
November 1, 2023
Presentation from Planning Director on MBTA Communities Zoning Public HearingPresentation from the Director of Planning & Community Development on the Select Board's MBTA Communities Zoning articleOctober 26, 2023
EOHLC Letter on Milton's Rapid Transit ClassificationLetter from the Executive Office of Housing & Livable Communities clarifying Milton's status as a Rapid Transit CommunityOctober 23, 2023
October Public Forum Video Recording
MATV video recording of October 3rd planning staff public forum
October 3, 2023
October Public Forum Presentation
Planning staff presentation from the October 3rd public forum
October 3, 2023
Presentation from Utile on Final Subdistrict Refinement
Presentation regarding MBTA Communities subdistricts with updates following feedback at the September 14th presentation by Utile
September 28, 2023
Legal Memo on MBTA Communities Enforceability
Legal opinion from Town Counsel regarding the authority of EOHLC's guidelines for compliance with MBTA CommunitiesSeptember 27, 2023
Fiscal Impact Analysis Preliminary Presentation
Presentation from RKG Associates on methodology and preliminary net fiscal impacts of multifamily developmentSeptember 28, 2023
Select Board Letter to EOHLC on Reclassification
Letter from the Select Board to the Executive Office of Housing & Livable Communities requesting additional clarification on Milton's Rapid Transit classificationSeptember 22, 2023
Presentation from Utile on Additional Refinement
Presentation regarding MBTA Communities subdistricts with updates following feedback at the September 7th presentation by Utile
September 14, 2023
Letter from the MBTA on the Mattapan Line's Rapid Transit Classification
Letter from the MBTA's Assistant General Manager for Policy and Transit Planning responding to requests for clarification on the Mattapan Line's designation as rapid transitSeptember 8, 2023
Presentation from Utile on Further Subdistrict Refinement
Presentation regarding MBTA Communities subdistricts with updates following feedback at the August 24th presentation by UtileSeptember 7, 2023
Existing Conditions AnalysisPresentation prepared by Planning Board Member Cheryl Tougias on existing multifamily homes in MiltonSeptember 7, 2023
Presentation from Utile on Subdistrict Refinement
Presentation regarding MBTA Communities subdistricts & compliance pathways prepared by Utile
August 24, 2023
Select Board Briefing
Briefing delivered to the Select Board on continued compliance efforts
August 22, 2023
August Public Forum Video Recording
MATV video recording of August 15 planning staff public forum.
August 15, 2023
August Public Forum Presentation
Planning staff presentation from the August 15 public forum
August 15, 2023
Warrant Committee PresentationPresentation delivered to the Warrant Committee on the Law and continued compliance effortsAugust 14, 2023
Select Board BriefingBriefing delivered to the Select Board on continued compliance effortsJuly 25, 2023
July Public Forum Video Recording
MATV video recording of July 17 planning staff public forum
July 17, 2023
July Public Forum Presentation
Planning staff presentation from July 17 public forumJuly 17, 2023
Presentation from Utile on Potential Subdistricts
Presentation regarding potential MBTA Communities subdistricts prepared by UtileJuly 7, 2023
Memo from MAPC on Potential Subdistricts
Memo regarding potential MBTA Communities subdistricts prepared by MAPC
June 26, 2023
June Public Forum Video Recording
MATV video recording of June 15 planning staff public forum
June 15, 2023
June Public Forum Presentation
Planning staff presentation from June 15 public forum
June 15, 2023
May Public Forum Presentation (PDF)Planning staff presentation from May 18 public forumMay 18, 2023
MBTA Communities FAQs (PDF)
Answers to frequently asked questions regarding the MBTA Communities lawMarch 14, 2023
Residential Density within Half Mile Radius of MBTA Stations (PDF)Map developed using the Residensity tool to show residential density in Milton within the half-mile radius around MBTA stationsFebruary 27, 2023     
February Public Forum Video Recording
MATV video recording of February 16 planning staff public forum
February 16, 2023
February Public Forum Presentation (PDF)
Planning staff presentation from February 16 public forum
February 16, 2023
Final MBTA Communities Action Plan (PDF)
Action plan required by EOHLC (formerly DHCD) for interim compliance
January 23, 2023
AIM Presentation (PDF)
Presentation by Planning Director at a forum hosted by Affordable Inclusive Milton
December 15, 2022
MBTA Station Half Mile Radius Map (PDF)
Map illustrating the half-mile radius around each of Milton's MBTA stations
November 9, 2022
Potential District Scenarios (PDF)
Presentation requested by the Planning Board on potential locations for multifamily zoning districts
October 13, 2022
Select Board Comment Letter (PDF)Comment letter on the EOHLC (formerly DHCD) draft guidelines submitted by the Select Board
March 30, 2022
Select Board Briefing  (PDF)
Briefing delivered to the Select Board on the draft compliance guidelines from EOHLC (formerly DHCD)
March 1, 2022