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Millbury Board Of Appeals Approved Chapter 40B Rice Pond Village Project
On Wednesday, August 14, 2024, the Millbury Board of Appeals approved the proposed Chapter 40B Rice Pond Village project, largely granting developers Steven Venincasa and James Venincasa their project as submitted with some conditions. The Millbury Board of Appeals largely dismissed the neighborhood's legitimate public safety concerns, suggesting that residents could appeal in superior court.
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.
Developers Reject Most Of The Neighborhood Conditions
Our neighborhood had hoped for cooperation from the developers, expecting them to engage positively and act as responsible developers by agreeing to many of our reasonable requests. However, that optimism was not realized. This further solidifies the perception that Steven Venincasa and James Venincasa disregard the community's well-being, which we fear will be adversely affected, worsening the previously identified public safety issues with their proposed Rice Pond Village project.
Introduction to Chapter 40B Subsidized Housing Inventory
It is important to understand that the MBTA Communities Act (Chapter 40A §3A) and the Affordable Homes Act do not inherently provide “affordable” housing and will likely decrease a community’s SHI compliance. This means that growth could lead to more Chapter 40B projects in the future. The Chapter 40B statutory minimum of 10% is a constantly moving target as community growth occurs.
Housing Mandates Uses California As Template
Discover Governor Maura Healey's vision for Massachusetts' housing future, echoing California's innovative model. She spotlights initiatives like the Affordable Homes Act and credits Governor Charlie Baker's groundwork, notably the MBTA Communities Act. The video "Housing Mandates In California" offers an insightful critique, exposing how this model fails, leading to statewide housing challenges. The looming state legislation aims at streamlining zoning for developers, shaping the landscape. Despite its length, the video is indispensable, offering a critical view of what's at stake. Without citizen involvement, the outlook is grim: rising costs, congested roads, and the erosion of homeownership dreams. Take action now to steer towards a brighter future.
Implications Of Complacency And Apathy In The Face Of A Chapter 40B
While Chapter 40B has undoubtedly played a crucial role in expanding affordable housing options, it also poses significant challenges. One of the most concerning issues is the complacency and apathy that can arise when communities are faced with Chapter 40B projects, like Rice Pond Village.