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MBTA Communities Act Is Not Just Zoning
Anyone who thinks the MBTA Communities Act is merely about zoning without resulting in the demolition and construction of much denser housing is mistaken. If developers spot profit potential, they will move in and build. In fact, one developer is already targeting property owners in Millbury, seeking to buy properties with the aim of maximizing profits through increased density and monopolizing the town's rental market with market-rate units. This poses a serious concern for those living in the Business 1 Zoning District, the Environmental Justice Population zone, and those with incomes at 65 percent or less of the statewide median household income. Many Millbury residents find the current rents neither reasonable nor affordable.
The Impact Of Corporate Dominance On The Rental Market
The growing trend of corporate dominance in the rental housing market is causing concern among tenant advocates, local officials, and community members alike. When a single corporate entity controls a significant portion of the rental properties in a town or city, it can have far-reaching effects on housing affordability, community stability, and tenant well-being. The recent situation in San Diego, involving investment giant Blackstone Inc., serves as a stark example of these dynamics at play.
The Myth of Housing Supply and Demand: A Modern Trickle-Down Fallacy
In contemporary debates about affordable housing, a common argument suggests that increasing the overall supply of housing will naturally lead to more affordable homes for everyone. Proponents claim that by simply building more units, market forces will drive down prices, benefiting even those at the lower end of the income spectrum. This argument parallels the principles of trickle-down economics, which posits that benefits provided to the wealthy will eventually “trickle down” to the less fortunate, improving economic conditions for all. However, just as trickle-down economics has been widely criticized and debunked, the simplistic notion that increasing housing supply alone will solve affordability issues is fundamentally flawed.
Next Up: Exploiting The MBTA Communities Act
In recent years, developers have increasingly exploited Chapter 40B, using it as a tool to bypass local zoning bylaws and pursue projects that maximize their bottom line. Now, many see the MBTA Communities Act (M.G.L. c. 40A §3A) as a similar opportunity for developers. While the MBTA Communities Act does not override all local zoning regulations, it provides a pathway for developers to circumvent certain restrictions, leading to much denser developments than local communities may desire. This approach allows developers to push projects forward with fewer obstacles, aligning with their financial interests but often at odds with community preferences and established zoning norms.
Don’t Boston My Millbury
Save the date for Monday, July 8, 2024, at 7:00 PM, when the Millbury Planning Board will hold a public hearing at Millbury Town Hall, 127 Elm Street, to discuss amending local zoning to comply with the MBTA Communities Act. The proposal aims to increase maximum density for multifamily units from 4 to 15 units per acre in the downtown Business 1 zoning district, affecting approximately 50 acres. Residents are concerned about potential rent increases and displacement, especially among vulnerable populations.
State funding incentives hinge on compliance, but critics argue the act may favor developers over community interests and lacks provisions for affordable housing. The push for high-density development raises tax and infrastructure concerns for Millbury, which could alter its small-town character. Residents are urged to voice their concerns at the hearing to protect local sovereignty and influence zoning decisions.
Boston Tea Party 2.0 Unfolding
While both the Boston Tea Party and resistance to the MBTA Communities Act involve acts of defiance against governmental authorities, the motivations and historical contexts of these events are quite different. The Boston Tea Party was a foundational moment in the struggle for American independence, while resistance to the MBTA Communities Act is part of ongoing debates about governance, public policy, and community rights in a modern context.