Watch the even recording from our MBTA Communities Act workshop here:

Read more below for context and details, and download our MBTA Communities Act How-To Guide.

About the MBTA Communities Act

Cities and towns across Massachusetts are currently tasked with complying with the new MBTA Communities Act. Adopted in January 2021, the Act requires 177 cities and towns to establish “at least 1 district of reasonable size in which multifamily housing is permitted as of right.”

Communities covered by the Act are required to submit a zoning ordinance or bylaw to the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC). Most must submit by December 31, 2024; certain smaller communities have until December 31, 2025.

Over 50 communities are scheduled to vote on their local adaptations of the MBTA Communities Act this fall.

About this workshop

Join the BSA and Citizens' Housing and Planning Association (CHAPA) as we assemble local leaders from across the region for an evening workshop focused on educating BSA members and the general public about this zoning change and about how to get involved in shaping its local impacts. The workshop will include:

A brief presentation from policy advocates with Q&A
An in-person roundtable discussion and workshop with architects, advocates, residents
discussion and debate of the architectural, economic, and social value of the MBTA Communities Act
In-person development and refinement of testimonials for upcoming town meetings

Equitable and sustainable design strategies are essential to the development of feasible and long-term housing solutions for Massachusetts. We invite you to join us in learning more and discovering ways to get involved.

Food and refreshments will be provided. The presentation portion will be live-streamed and recorded.

Workshop agenda

Live-streamed and recorded:

6:00 PM Check in
6:15 PM Welcoming Remarks
6:20 PM Initial Presentation and Q&A

In-person only (no live stream or recording):

6:45 PM Conversation and Roundtable
7:15 PM Break
7:25 PM Workshop
7:55 PM Closing Remarks

Join us if you are...

An Architect: Striving to advocate and provide expertise on behalf of your community for equitable policies and design practices.
An Urban Planner/Designer: Trying to create more inclusive, sustainable urban environments.
A Community Leader: Seeking to collaborate with like-minded leaders to advocate for resources and spaces that provide equitable access to all residents.
A Policymaker: Seeking tools and design strategies to better assist communities through policy.
Activists: Seeking a diverse audience of collaborators to learn alongside and find ways to advocate on behalf of your community.
Emerging Professionals and Students: Eager to learn from established experts and a diverse audience to gain practical insights into policy and design applications to assist in career and community development.
Anyone curious and energized to share experiences, to learn and to collaborate on advocating for ways to address our region’s housing needs.

Key Definitions

Section 3A of MGL c.40A

The MBTA Communities Act or 3A requires 177 cities and towns to establish “at least 1 district of reasonable size in which multifamily housing is permitted as of right. Guidelines define 4 Community categories based on fixed transit assets for each community:

Rapid Transit: MBTA community that has within its borders at least 100 acres of developable station area associated with one or more subway stations, or MBTA Silver Line bus rapid transit stations.
Commuter Rail: an MBTA community that (i) does not meet the criteria for a rapid transit community, and (ii) has within its borders at least 100 acres of developable station area associated with one or more commuter rail stations.
Adjacent: means an MBTA community that (i) has within its boundaries less than 100 acres of developable station area, and (ii) is not an adjacent small town.
Adjacent Small Towns: an MBTA community that (i) has within its boundaries less than 100 acres of developable station area, and (ii) either has a population density of less than 500 persons per square mile, or a population of not more than 7,000 year-round residents as determined in the most recently published United States Decennial Census of Population and Housing.

As of right Zoning

“As of right” means development that may proceed under a zoning ordinance or by-law without the need for a special permit, variance, zoning amendment, waiver, or other discretionary zoning approval

Gross Density

“Gross density” means a units-per-acre density measurement that includes land occupied by public rights-of-way and any recreational, civic, commercial, and other nonresidential uses.

Lot

“Lot” means an area of land with definite boundaries that is used or available for use as the site of a building or buildings.

Multi-family Housing

“Multi-family housing” means a building with 3 or more residential dwelling units or 2 or more buildings on the same lot with more than 1 residential dwelling unit in each building.

References and Resources

Residensity - Created by MHP, this interactive data platform exists for exploring residential density and land use patterns anywhere in Massachusetts
MBTA Communities Compliance Map - Map of municipalities that have or have not complied
(MAPC) District Suitability Analysis tool - Metropolitan Area Planning Council’s tool for the MBTA Communities Multifamily Zoning Requirement (Section 3A)
BSA's MBTA Communities Act How-To Guide