MHP holds first of 3 Ch. 40B workshops

FRAMINGHAM --- Forty-two local officials from 23 communities attended a training on Monday, Nov. 27, to learn more about Ch. 40B, the state’s comprehensive land use permit law. 

Led by land use and planning expert Judi Barrett, the workshop covered the basics of the law and the practical aspects of managing the comprehensive permit process, which applies specifically to members of local zoning boards of appeal. 

Sponsored by the Massachusetts Housing Partnership’s community assistance team, the regional training was the first training held since MHP and the state updated its Ch. 40B handbook earlier this year. Future regional trainings are being scheduled for February on the South Shore and March on the North Shore.

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Ch. 40B’s purpose is to ensure that low- and or moderate-income housing is available in all market areas. It allows developers to override local regulatory barriers that make housing expensive to build.

Barrett, who helped update the Ch. 40B handbook for MHP and the state, focused the audience on the practical aspects of managing the comprehensive permit process. Points of emphasis included having a strong chairperson, training for all ZBA members, and the importance of developer-neighborhood meetings. In general, Barrett said having good planning in place - especially a Housing Production Plan - is a way for a community to lay out a coherent, realistic strategy for creating low- and moderate-income housing.

Barrett also stressed that the board – especially the chair – should understand and be able to explain the entire hearing process, with special attention paid to critical deadlines.

To emphasize this point, Barrett told the audience that the most important slide in her 44-slide presentation was the one outlining critical deadlines in the Ch. 40B process.

In general, Barrett said having good planning in place - especially a Housing Production Plan - is an effective way for communities to lay out a coherent, realistic strategy for creating low- and moderate-income housing.

Following the presentation, Barrett answered questions on topics on ranging from who's responsible to organizing neighborhood meetings to what type of units count on the Subsidized Housing Inventory or how to request more information from a developer.

For more information about future Ch. 40B and other MHP workshops,contact Phil Crean at pcrean@mhp.net.