Page 22 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, JunE 14, 2024 BEACON | FROM PAGE 20 nity “must have at least one zoning district of reasonable size in which multi-family housing is permitted as of right and meets other criteria” including minimum gross density of 15 units per acre; and a location not more than 1/2 mile from a commuter rail station, subway station, ferry terminal or bus station. No age restrictions can be applied and the district must be suitable for families with children. “My amendment would waive the MBTA Communities Act for towns and cities that have met their 40B affordable housing threshold,” said amendment sponsor Rep. Marc Lombardo (R-Billerica). “Unfortunately, the majority party defeated the amendment as they don’t care about the negative impact that thousands of new housing units will have on suburban communities’ infrastructure, education systems and public safety personnel.” Rep. Jim Arciero (D-Westford) said the amendment goes against the spirit of taking up this law for housing production. He noted that the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities has been diligently working throughout the state and thus far over 70 communities are in compliance, another 50 have submitted plans for review, while 11 have been rejected. He argued that with this implementation still moving forward, we need to see it through with this law. (A “Yes” vote is for the amendment. A “No” vote is against it.) Rep. Joseph McGonagle No APPEAL MBTA COMMUNITIES ACT (H 4707) House 32-126, rejected an amendment that would require the Department of Housing and Community Development to develop and promulgate regulations allowing a city or town affected by the zoning provisions of the MBTA Communities Act to appeal for relief from those provisions. Any appeal would have to be based on at least one of the following criteria: the community’s inability to meet the drinking water supply or wastewater requirements necessary to support the housing units authorized by the law’s zoning provisions; the inability of municipal transportation infrastructure to safely accommodate the increased population attributable to this housing development; any adverse environmental impacts attributable to the development of housing units under this act; and any adverse impacts on historic properties. “This amendment would have provided communities with some flexibility in dealing with the MBTA Communities Act by offering an appeals process based on a narrowly defined set of criteria that reflect legitimate concerns about the law,” said amendment sponsor Rep. Brad Jones (R-North Reading). “This was a very modest request to assist communities impacted by this law. While it would not have guaranteed a successful appeal, it would at the very least have allowed municipal leaders an opportunity to make their case for CITY OF EVERETT - LEGAL NOTICE - ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS 484 BROADWAY, ROOM 24 EVERETT, MASSACHUSETTS 02149 To Whom It May Concern: This notice is to inform you that a public hearing will be held on Monday May 20, 2024 at 6:00 PM, Everett City Hall, 3rd Floor George Keverian Hearing Room. All interested parties may attend and opinions will be heard regarding the following petition. Whereas a petition has been presented by: Property Address: Map/Parcel: Building Permit #: Property Owner: 30 Somerset Street Everett, MA 02149 M0-05-000167 B-24-224 Mr. Adam Foster 930 Somerset Street Everett, MA 02149 PROPOSAL: To construct a 26’-4” by 10’ two (2) story rear addition to the existing single-family residence. Reason for Denial: The proposed rear addition is to an existing non-conforming structure as it does not have the required side yard total set back of 16 feet the plot plan only indicates a total side yard of 11.6’. and the proposed addition will come with a total side yard of 10.11’ side yard and to within 15.3’ of the rear yard where 25 feet is required. Section 3 General requirements line C Existing non-conforming structure or uses may be extended or altered, provided that such extension, alteration or change of use shall be permitted only upon the grant of a Special Permit by the zoning board of appeals after a public hearing and a finding by the board that such extension, alteration or change of use shall not be substantially more detrimental to the neighborhood than the existing non-conforming use or structure. Section 4 Dwelling Districts b) Dimensional Requirements Line 6 (a) Four (4) feet minimum with a total of sixteen (16) feet. Section 4 Dwelling Districts b) Dimensional Requirements Line 7 (a) Twenty-five (25) feet minimum, except for open decks and porches which may encroach into the required rear yard providing that in no case shall the rear yard be less than fifteen (15) feet measured to any part of the porch or deck. MARY GERACE - Chairman ROBERTA SUPPA - Clerk of Board of Appeals June 7, 14, 2024 relief from the law’s zoning provisions.” Rep. Ruth Balser (D-Newton) urged rejection of this or any amendment that at this early stage in the implementation of this law, undermines it. She noted we should give it a chance to work. She said that 70 communities have already figured out how to make it work for them and other communities should be given a chance to do so. (A “Yes” vote is for the amendment allowing an appeal. A “No” vote is against the amendment.) Rep. Joseph McGonagle No COUNT MOBILE HOMES (H 4070) House 29-127, rejected an amendment that would allow cities and towns to count mobile homes as homes that count toward the Chapter 40B law that enables local Zoning Boards of Appeals to approve affordable housing developments under flexible rules if at least 20 percent to 25 percent of the units have long-term affordability restrictions. “Mobile home parks should be considered affordable housing units under 40B and allow a community which has them to use those units towards their ten percent affordable housing stock the state expects them to reach, exceed or maintain,” said Rep. Paul Frost (R-Auburn). “Most mobile home parks were originally built as affordable housing units for those returning from World War II. They are affordable to buy and live in and therefore they should count as such.,” Rep. Jim Arciero (D-Westford) said the amendment is an attempt to bypass the 40B law and allow cities and towns a way to circumvent the requirement for providing affordable housing in their community. He said attempts to avoid production of affordable housing statewide, as this amendment seeks to do, are counter to the intent of the 40B laws. (A “Yes” vote is for the amendment. A “No” vote is against it.) Rep. Joseph McGonagle No ALSO UP ON BEACON HILL DON’T MISS THIS EVENT: WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS FOR THE NEWS INDUSTRY – As the news industry rapidly evolves and struggles with financial challenges, the local media ecosystem continues to adapt. Join MASSterList and the State House News Service for a two-part program that will explore the insights of some of Boston’s leading journalists and media figures about what they do, how the landscape is changing and what the future holds for BEACON | SEE PAGE 23
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