MBTA Zoning Technical Assistance
MHP is accepting applications for technical assistance from cities and towns seeking compliance with MGL Chapter 40A, Section 3A (the MBTA Communities Act). Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis and are open to all MBTA communities that have not yet adopted zoning intended to comply with the Act, and/or applied for compliance from EOHLC. First time and repeat applications will be accepted. To date, MHP’s 3A-TA Program has provided approximately 125 of the 177 MBTA Communities with direct technical assistance from pre-qualified third-party consultants for activities related to the adoption of compliant multi-family zoning districts including:
- Identifying district boundaries and locations
- Estimating unit capacity and gross density using EOHLC's compliance model
- Developing use and intensity requirements and site plan review standards
- Drafting zoning amendments
- Community engagement and education
- Economic Feasibility Analysis (EFA) relative to district affordability requirement
Individual project scopes of work cannot exceed $20,000 in consultant costs. For more information please contact Program Manager Katy Lacy at Klacy@mhp.com.
Tools and Resources
- MHP's 9-part webinar series: Planning Tools for MBTA Districts
- MHP video: Why law is good policy & right thing to do
- Transit-Oriented Developer Explorer (TODEX): User-friendly tool with density maps for 261 Greater Boston transit stops.
- DataTown: Housing & demographic info, graphics and charts for all 351 Massachusetts communities.
- MassMapper: Interactive map with measuring tool that allows users to draw shapes & calculate acreages.
- How to adopt or amend zoning: This template has information about procedural requirement's of the state's zoning act.
- Density visualizations: Examples of multifamily housing compiled by MAPC.
- CHAPA’s Resource Hub
- EOHLC Website for MBTA Communities (including Regulations)