HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 4183        FILED ON: 3/2/2023

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 3549

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_________________

PRESENTED BY:

Kristin E. Kassner

_________________

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 expand designation of priority development sites.

_______________

PETITION OF:

 

Name:

District/Address:

Date Added:

Kristin E. Kassner

2nd Essex

2/28/2023

Marcus S. Vaughn

9th Norfolk

5/4/2023

Michelle L. Ciccolo

15th Middlesex

7/26/2023


HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 4183        FILED ON: 3/2/2023

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 3549

By Representative Kassner of Hamilton, a petition (subject to Joint Rule 12) of Kristin E. Kassner for legislation to expand the designation of priority development sites.  Community Development and Small Businesses.

 

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

 

_______________

In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)

_______________

 

An Act relative to expand designation of priority development sites.

 

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 2 of Chapter 43D shall be amended by inserting the following definition:

"Community development plan" - A community development plan is a comprehensive, strategic plan for the future of a city or town, and shall include, among other things, a plan for: new housing opportunities; commercial or industrial economic development (if any); existing infrastructure and needs to serve new uses including but not limited to; water, transportation, housing, and electricity; transportation infrastructure; climate change and resiliency, and open space.

SECTION 2:  Section 3 of Chapter 43D shall be amended by striking out section (a) and inserting the following: -

(a) For a property to receive a designation as a priority development site, the site or infrastructure need must earn approval by a town meeting in a town; or be identified in a local comprehensive master plan, housing needs assessment, economic development plan, district/corridor plan, or community development plan; or be identified in a local capital improvement plan or a plan developed by a regional planning agency; or project approved by the planning board or special permit granting authority. The governing body shall file a formal proposal with the interagency permitting board. The proposal shall include: (1) a detailed description of the property; (2) good faith commitment to comply with this chapter; (3) written authorization of the property or utility owner as applicable; and (4) at the discretion of the governing body, a request for a technical assistance grant.

SECTION 3:  Section 13 of Chapter 43D shall be amended by inserting a new subsection (c): The Secretaries of the Executive Office of Housing, Executive Office of Economic Development, Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, collectively, shall develop and implement a two-year program to provide technical assistance and resources to cities and towns for the purpose of creating community development plans. Such assistance may include the provision of in-kind services or discretionary funds where appropriate.