Without a doubt, many of our fellow developers have already read about and rejoiced over the recent ruling from the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) that essentially prevents neighbors of development projects from suing land-use decisions unless they can prove harm. But we want to again revisit why this is so important, not just for developers, but for everyone participating in the real estate market in Massachusetts.
Read MoreVoters in Newton recently approved a 23-acre mixed use project that will provide 800 units of housing, as well as office space and retail space. The project was originally approved by the Newton City Council in a 17-7 vote, but a group in opposition of the project lobbied that the project’s fate should be voted on by town residents. Ultimately, the project was voted on and approved, partly in thanks to a group that rallied in support of the project. But we are left wondering if this is a case of community involvement gone too far as Greater Boston (and many other places in the country) is faced with a severe housing shortage. Read more about this case here.
Read MoreAs we start a new decade, Mayor Walsh and the director of the Boston Planning and Development Agency, Brian Golden, are making big plans to continue to develop Boston’s housing stock. It is estimated that Boston’s population will grow to 760,000 in the next decade which means there is a need for more housing across all income levels. Through a community engagement process, the BPDA is focusing on working with Bostonians to create more appropriate housing in “East Boston, Mattapan, Glover’s Corner, Downtown, Newmarket, Allston-Brighton, and Charlestown,” which are neighborhoods the city has identified as areas that will shape future growth. Those neighborhoods are in addition to “Dorchester Avenue in South Boston, Nubian Square (formerly known as Dudley Square), and the Washington Street corridor in Jamaica Plain and Roxbury” where studies have already been completed. There are also initiatives to better connect Boston’s neighborhoods with improved transportation options which you can read more about here.
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