Beckoning Smart Planning on Beacon Hill

Image Credit: MA Smart Growth Alliance 

Though visitors to Massachusetts often complain about the state's confusing streets patterns, the Commonwealth has remained remarkably resistant to suburban sprawl. In keeping with this spirit, the Massachusetts State House is entertaining an amendment to the state Zoning Act and Subdivision Control Law. See H.B. 1859, "An Act Promoting the Planning and Development of Sustainable Communities." The proposed bill, which was endorsed by the Department of Housing and Community Development, Massachusetts Alliance for Smart Growth, the Department of Public Health and others endorsed following a hearing on Beacon Hill last month, provides a statutory basis for site plan review, consolidates permitting, incorporates reduced requirements for variances, encourages Low Impact Development techniques, and a reformed master planning process. Most interestingly, the bill includes a community "opt-in" in which cities and towns that preserve open spaces in new developments and express commitment to environmentally sustainable projects will receive preferential consideration for funding from the state. David McCay and Brian Casaceli note in Mirick O'Connell's excellent "On Solid Ground" blog that the bill has a long journey to becoming law and follows the path of previous unsuccessful legislative attempts at land use reform but the current climate on Beacon Hill bodes well for a 21st century approach to planning and growing in the historic hub of the nation.