BCAT News

The Burlington Planning Department and a diverse working group of local officials, developers and business leaders have homed in on parcels for the MBTA Communities Law, a 2021 bill that requires towns to create districts for by-right multifamily housing. 

The vast majority of the chosen districts are already zoned for multi-family housing, meaning the new overlay would not significantly change the character of the community – it would simply make sure Burlington is compliant with the law and not at risk of losing funds for noncompliance. 

“The Planning Department has created an MBTA working group with a diverse cast of participants, people from the Select Board, Land Use, Zoning Bylaw Review Committee, and the Chamber of Commerce, on both sides of the issue,” said Planning Director Liz Bonventre. “It’s been a great back and forth to narrow it down. I think that one thing the committee agrees on is that we need to get this through Town Meeting, because not doing so would cost the town a lot of money.”

The completed warrant article comes as the town of Milton became the first in the commonwealth to overturn a Town Meeting vote creating a compliant zoning district, thereby losing eligibility for important grant funding. 

The six parcels that are currently zoned for multi-family housing and would be part of the zoning overlay districts are the Beacon Village Apartments; Beacon Woods Condominiums; Westgate Apartments; Heritage at Stoneridge Apartments; Tremont and Huntington Apartments; Lifetime Living Apartments. They were chosen because they are relatively new developments and aren’t likely to be attractive to developers. Lord Baron Apartments, an older, lower-income housing complex, was excluded. 

The warrant article would also create an overlay over a section of commercial properties between Middlesex Turnpike and Great Meadow Road, an area near the Kohl’s plaza, which, if redeveloped, could offer housing that is walkable to grocery stores, commercial areas and bus lines. Any new developments would be required to have at least 15 percent of units designated affordable.

The MBTA Communities Law was designed to encourage multi-family housing in 177 towns and cities that are connected to public transit. Burlington has until December 31, 2024 to comply; the Planning Board hopes to introduce the warrant article at May’s Town Meeting to have a little wiggle room.