Affordable Housing Statute Promotes Sprawl

Massachusetts 40B statute is contrary to the state Vision 2020 smart growth vision.

1 minute read

July 16, 2004, 1:00 PM PDT

By Abhijeet Chavan @http://twitter.com/legalaidtech


Chapter 40B is a Massachusetts state statute, which enables local Zoning Boards of Appeals (ZBAs) to approve affordable housing developments under flexible rules if at least 20-25% of the units have long-term affordability restrictions.

"A Vision 2020 plan devised by both public and private officials is supposed to promote smart growth and other antisprawl measures, however, the state is working directly against Vision 2020 by promoting 40B development...State officials speak out of two sides of their mouths when they talk up smart growth but destroy rural land by spreading sprawl under the aegis of 40B."

Thanks to Abhijeet Chavan

Thursday, July 15, 2004 in The Boston Globe

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