Section 2: Definitions
Section 2. As used in this chapter, the following words shall have the following meanings:
"Affordable housing'', housing affordable to and occupied by individuals and families whose annual income is equal to or less than 80 per cent of the areawide median income as determined by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. Affordability shall be assured for a period of not less than 30 years through the use of an affordable housing restriction as defined in section 31 of chapter 184.
"Approved smart growth zoning district'', a smart growth zoning district that has been adopted by a city or town and approved by the department in accordance with this chapter and the regulations of the department, so as to be eligible for the receipt of financial and other incentives. The department may revoke its approval if the obligations of the city or town are not met.
"Area of concentrated development'', a center of commercial activity within a municipality, including town and city centers, other existing commercial districts in cities and towns, and existing rural village districts.
"Comprehensive housing plan'', a plan to be prepared by each city or town that provides an assessment of the housing needs within a city or town and describes specific strategies to address these needs, in accordance with regulations of the department.
"Density bonus payment'', a one-time payment to a municipality from the trust fund, established in section 35AA of chapter 10 or other funds from appropriations or other money authorized by the general court for each housing unit of new construction that is created in a smart growth zoning district.
[ Definition of "Department'' effective until May 30, 2023. For text effective May 30, 2023, see below.]
"Department'', the department of housing and community development.
[ Definition of "Department'' as amended by 2023, 7, Sec. 185 effective May 30, 2023. See 2023, 7, Sec. 298. For text effective until May 30, 2023, see above.]
"Department'', the executive office of housing and livable communities.
"Developable land area'', that area within an approved smart growth district that can be feasibly developed into residential or mixed use development determined in accordance with regulations of the department. Developable land area shall not include: (1) land area that is already substantially developed, including existing parks and dedicated, perpetual open space within such substantially developed portion; (2) open space designated by the city or town as provided in section 6; or (3) areas exceeding one-half acre of contiguous land that are unsuitable for development because of topographic features or for environmental reasons, such as wetlands.
It shall include the land area occupied by or associated with underutilized residential, commercial, industrial or institutional buildings or uses that have the potential to be recycled or converted into residential or mixed use developments as determined in accordance with regulations of the department.
"Eligible locations'', areas that by virtue of their infrastructure, transportation access, existing underutilized facilities, or location make highly suitable locations for residential or mixed use smart growth zoning districts, including without limitation (1) areas near transit stations, including rapid transit, commuter rail and bus and ferry terminals; or (2) areas of concentrated development, including town and city centers, other existing commercial districts in cities and towns, and existing rural village districts.
"Historic district'', a district in a city or town characterized by the unique historic quality of the buildings within the district, and in which exterior changes to all buildings and the construction of new buildings are subject to special architectural and design guidelines as voted by the city or town pursuant to state law.
"Housing production plan'', an affordable housing plan adopted by a municipality and approved by the department in accordance with its regulations.
"Housing production summary'', a detailed summary of the city or town's: (1) affordable housing production history, (2) housing needs and housing demand assessment, (3) analysis of development constraints and capacity, (4) current housing goals and strategy for achieving those goals and (5) proposed locations for affordable housing production.
"Letter of eligibility'', a letter to a city or town to be issued by the department within 60 days of receiving a complete and approvable application from a city or town for approval of a smart growth district.
"Mixed use development'', a development containing a mix of residential uses and non-residential uses, including, without limitation: commercial, institutional, industrial or other uses; all conceived, planned and integrated to create vibrant, workable, livable and attractive neighborhoods.
"Multi-family housing'', apartment or condominium units in buildings which contain or will contain more than 3 such units.
"New construction'', construction of new housing units, the substantial rehabilitation of existing buildings or the conversion to residential use of existing buildings to create additional housing units, to the extent those units could not have been constructed or converted without the smart growth zoning district.
"Open space'', shall include, but not be limited to, land to protect existing and future well fields, aquifers, and recharge areas, watershed land, agricultural land, grasslands, fields, forest land, fresh and salt water marshes and other wetlands, ocean, river, stream, lake and pond frontage, beaches, dunes, and other coastal lands, lands to protect scenic vistas, land for wildlife or nature preserve and land for recreational use.
"Plan approval authority'', a unit of municipal government designated by the city or town to review projects and issue approvals under section 11.
"Project'', a proposed residential or mixed-use development within a smart growth zoning district.
"Smart growth zoning district'', a zoning district adopted by a city or town under this chapter that replaces or is superimposed over 1 or more zoning districts in an eligible location, within which a developer may elect to either develop a project in accordance with requirements of the smart growth zoning district ordinance or by-law, or, where superimposed over 1 or more zoning districts, develop a project in accordance with requirements of the underlying zoning district.
"Smart growth zoning district certificate of compliance'', a written certification by the department in accordance with section 7.
"Starter home'', a single family home not exceeding 1,850 square feet in heated living area; provided, however that nothing herein shall preclude a city or town from adopting a starter home zoning district that would permit construction on a single lot in a starter home zoning district of an accessory dwelling unit of 600 square feet or less on the same lot as a starter home.
"Starter home zoning district'', a zoning district consisting of not less than 3 contiguous acres of developable land area, adopted by a city or town pursuant to this chapter, that is superimposed over 1 or more zoning districts in an eligible location, within which a developer may elect to either: (1) develop starter homes in accordance with requirements of the starter home zoning district ordinance or by-law or (2) develop a project in accordance with requirements of the underlying zoning district, and otherwise consistent with department guidance.
"Starter home zoning district certificate of compliance'', a written certification by the department in accordance with section 7.
"Trust fund'', the Smart Growth Housing Trust Fund, established by section 35AA of chapter 10.