Amendment ID: S3050-130

Amendment 130

Zoning Reform to Promote Abundant Housing

Messrs. Crighton and Cyr move that the proposed new draft be amended by inserting after section X the following sections:-

SECTION 1. Section 1A of Chapter 40A of the General Laws, as so appearing, is amended by inserting the following definition:

“Bus Station”, a building located at the intersection of two or more bus lines, within which services are available to bus passengers; provided that a bus station does not include a shelter or other structure without walls and a foundation.

SECTION 2. Said section 1A of said Chapter 40A, as so appearing, is further amended by striking out the definition “multi-family housing” and inserting in place thereof the following definition:-

“Multi-family housing”, a building with 3 or more residential dwelling units or 2 or more buildings on the same lot with more than 1 residential dwelling unit in each building, inclusive of but not limited to triplexes, quadplexes and townhomes.

SECTION 3. Section 3 of said Chapter 40A, as so appearing, is amended by inserting the following paragraph:-

No zoning ordinance or by-law shall impose a minimum lot size on new residential developments. No zoning ordinance or by-law shall impose minimum automobile parking requirements on new residential developments, including developments built under section 3C of chapter 40A, that are located not more than .5 miles from a commuter rail station, ferry terminal or bus station and no more than 1 parking space per unit shall be required for new residential units, including but not limited to multi-family housing, developed on land that is more than .5 miles from a commuter rail station, ferry terminal or bus station; provided, that no minimum parking requirements shall be imposed on residential facilities primarily serving seniors, including assisted living communities and nursing homes.

SECTION 4. The executive office of housing and livable communities may develop a model zoning code to assist municipalities and shall issue guidelines or promulgate regulations pursuant to Section 3 of Chapter 40A, as inserted by section 3.

SECTION 5. Section 3 shall take effect one year after the effective date of this act.