November
10
2021
Housing Choice legislation passed in 2020 included abutter appeal reform, giving courts the option to require a party to post up to a $50,000 bond when appealing a decision to approve a special permit, variance or site plan for housing. The bond would secure the payment of costs if the court finds that the defendant or pubic interest is harmed by the delay. On Nov. 9, 2021, a Massachusetts land court used this new law to order a $25,000 bond on Truro abutters challenging the issuance of a Ch. 40B permit for an affordable housing project. Here's the decision.