Multi-Family Zoning Requirements for MBTA Communities

[kdmc]

tldr, she is not against the law, but she believes that the state was obligated to provide implementation funding starting in 2021 and failed to do so.

Regardless of whether she is right (she probably is, in a technical sense), I bet that the "unfunded mandate" clause will be taken out of context weaponized against the law by nimbys.

DiZoglio told CommonWealth Beacon she was “surprised and taken aback by the rather harsh response and believe it may be due to some misunderstandings as to what this determination means.” Her office isn’t challenging the MBTA Communities law but instead stating that it’s a mandate and the state is required to cover the costs of implementation, she added, noting that she voted for the law as a state legislator.

DiZoglio said that the law’s language should’ve included a provision for funding. She acknowledged the establishment of state grant programs to cover the cost of compliance set up in 2024, but based her office’s decision on the fact that did not happen at the same time as the establishment of the law, in January 2021, she said.

 

[KCasiglio]

This is silly to me. If its beyond the capacity of a municipality to make minor changes to their zoning code then its an argument against it being their responsibility at all.

 

[themissinglink]

State AG intends to keep enforcing MBTA law despite auditor's ruling; Wrentham weighing options

State Attorney General Andrea Campbell said Monday her office plans to continue to enforce the MBTA Communities Act despite the state auditor’s office declaring the 2021 law is an unfunded

www.thesunchronicle.com

 

[themissinglink]

Holden agrees to drop its opposition to MBTA housing law

Town had declined to comply with 2021 state law, recently upheld by Supreme Judicial Court.

www.telegram.com

 

[themissinglink]

Wrentham weighing whether to challenge MBTA Communities Act

WRENTHAM — Local officials have discussed the latest developments with the state MBTA Communities Act but haven’t decided whether they will challenge the law.

www.thesunchronicle.com

 

[themissinglink]

Schools lose $73K grant due to MBTA non-compliance

MIDDLEBORO — Middleboro School Committee members and Superintendent of Schools Carolyn Lyons reacted angrily at their Feb. 27 meeting to the state’s decision to withdraw an education grant of $73,705 because the town refuses to comply with the MBTA...

nemasket.theweektoday.com

“We’re getting screwed, for lack of a better term,’’ committee chair Allin Frawley said.

Committee members agreed to draft a letter in opposition to the decision. “We need to take a really strong’’ stance, said committee member Susan Pennini. “This is outrageous. Given that it’s about money that’s already been spent makes it doubly so.’’

 

[Justbuildit]

No sympathy whatsoever. This one simple trick, abiding by the law, will avoid you causing your own schools to get defunded. It's a paper exercise!

 

[themissinglink]

Middleborough sues Healey, state over MBTA housing law requirements - The Boston Globe

The lawsuit seeks a waiver from the law’s zoning requirements under a recent opinion from State Auditor Diana DiZoglio, who called the law an “unfunded mandate."

www.bostonglobe.com