Massachusetts Antiquated Zoning Encourages Sprawl

Planners and environmentalists have wasted no time telling Massachusetts smart growth-friendly Governor: overhaul the state's antiquated zoning law!

1 minute read

January 6, 2003, 9:00 AM PST

By Chris Steins @planetizen

"Critics say the current law virtually guarantees sprawl, handcuffs local government, and is ridden with builder-friendly loopholes. A group of reformers has filed a bill to rewrite it, after a similar bill failed in the last legislative session, and advocates say executive-branch muscle behind the bill may be its only chance for passage... The state zoning law includes a grandfather clause that allows developers to lock in projects under current zoning for eight years. Town planners say they are reluctant to propose changes in local development rules because builders will rush to submit their projects under the current rules."

Thanks to Chris Steins

FULL STORY: Romney urged to overhaul zoning law

Sunday, January 5, 2003 in The Boston Globe

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