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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.
Decision Time For Rice Pond Village 2.0
The Millbury Board of Appeals concluded the public hearing for the proposed Chapter 40B Rice Pond Village project on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, after many months of public discussions. Throughout this period, neighbors and residents from across the town voiced their concerns and shared insights about the project. The consensus among the community is that the proposed development is unsuitable for Rice Road due to various public safety concerns and its inconsistency with the neighborhood’s context in terms of density, height, and massing.
Chapter 40B Public Hearing - July 24, 2024
The upcoming public hearing for the proposed Chapter 40B Rice Pond Village project will be hosted by the Millbury Board of Appeals. It is scheduled for Wednesday, July 24, 2024, starting at 7:00 PM. The venue for this event will be at the Millbury Senior Center, situated at 1 River Street in Millbury, Massachusetts. Attending in person is encouraged for maximum participation.
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.
Chapter 40B Public Hearing - July 10, 2024
The upcoming public hearing for the proposed Chapter 40B Rice Pond Village project will be hosted by the Millbury Board of Appeals. It is scheduled for Wednesday, July 10, 2024, starting at 7:00 PM. The venue for this event will be at the Millbury Senior Center, situated at 1 River Street in Millbury, Massachusetts. Attending in person is encouraged for maximum participation.
Protect The Rice Pond Wetlands Habitat
Concerned residents are encouraged to attend the Millbury Conservation Commission meeting. Our neighborhood has requested a deeded conservation restriction from the Millbury Board of Appeals to protect the wetland resources of Rice Pond, located behind the houses on the north side of Rice Road, including its feeder brooks and outlets that feed into the Blackstone River watershed. The request should be made to the Millbury Conservation Commission to impose the deeded conservation restrictions on the property. According to the Berlin Conservation Commission, this developer has received multiple stop work orders in Berlin for wetlands violations for their Highland Ridge Condominiums, a Chapter 40B project consisting of 66 duplex condominiums. There is also a recent allegation of the destruction and removal of a beaver dam in Shrewsbury.