SENATE DOCKET, NO. 540        FILED ON: 1/17/2017

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 736

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

Patrick M. O'Connor

_________________

To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act relative to affordable housing built near wetlands.

_______________

PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:

 

Patrick M. O'Connor

Plymouth and Norfolk

 

David F. DeCoste

5th Plymouth

1/25/2017

Donald F. Humason, Jr.

Second Hampden and Hampshire

1/30/2017

Ryan C. Fattman

Worcester and Norfolk

2/1/2017

James M. Cantwell

4th Plymouth

2/3/2017


SENATE DOCKET, NO. 540        FILED ON: 1/17/2017

SENATE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 736

By Mr. O'Connor, a petition (accompanied by bill, Senate, No. 736) of Patrick M. O'Connor, David F. DeCoste, Donald F. Humason, Jr., Ryan C. Fattman and others for legislation relative to affordable housing built near wetlands.  Housing.

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

_______________

In the One Hundred and Ninetieth General Court
(2017-2018)

_______________

 

An Act relative to affordable housing built near wetlands.

 

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

SECTION 1: Section 21 of chapter 40B of the Massachusetts General laws is hereby amended by adding the following paragraph:-

Applications to build low and moderate income housing units using a comprehensive permit shall not be exempt from local bylaws and ordinances concerning building in or the disturbance of environmentally sensitive areas including, but not limited to, bordering vegetative wetlands, watersheds, scenic rivers, marshes, wildlife sanctuaries, and vernal pools. Compliance with these local bylaws and ordinances shall not be considered an uneconomic condition. Local boards shall have the sole discretion to waive these local bylaws and ordinances.