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.

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.