Town’s legal counsel: MBTA guidelines are law

The attorneys for the town of Milton have advised the Planning Board that not complying with the Massachusetts MBTA Communities Law and its guidelines would be “fraught with risks.” This law requires Milton and 176 other communities to create multi-family zoning with a density of at least 15 units per acre within a half mile of transit.
The Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities has set additional standards, including Milton’s designation as a “rapid transit community” and requirements to create zoning districts allowing for as many as 2,461 multifamily units by December 31. The attorneys emphasized that a legal challenge to these guidelines would likely face significant risks, given the law’s clear focus on addressing the regional housing crisis and climate goals.