Great news! Cities and towns should not have the ability to block state laws with terrible zoning regulations.
ConnorLovesCookies on
Spark Notes version:
1. Massachusetts enacts the MBTA Communities Act which forces towns to upzone the area around the states train stations
2. Milton, a very wealthy town bordering some of Boston’s poorest neighborhoods, held a referendum to block the required zoning changes. The NIMBYs vote in favor of breaking the law.
3. The state attorney general sued Milton to force compliance. Milton argues that the underlying law is unconstitutional.
4. Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court rules in favor of the state but adds that the zoning changes must hold public hearings so Milton’s NIMBYs can at least whine about the changes even if they have to comply.
The_Book on
Important to note:
The regulation implementing the statute was struck down because it was not introduced properly (notice and comment boring admin stuff). This means they will have to redo the rule, which may take a year if it’s like the federal side then they’ll get sued again most likely.
LtCdrHipster on
Hell yeah, get fucked NIMBYs. Marshfield, you’re next!!!
4 Comments
Great news! Cities and towns should not have the ability to block state laws with terrible zoning regulations.
Spark Notes version:
1. Massachusetts enacts the MBTA Communities Act which forces towns to upzone the area around the states train stations
2. Milton, a very wealthy town bordering some of Boston’s poorest neighborhoods, held a referendum to block the required zoning changes. The NIMBYs vote in favor of breaking the law.
3. The state attorney general sued Milton to force compliance. Milton argues that the underlying law is unconstitutional.
4. Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court rules in favor of the state but adds that the zoning changes must hold public hearings so Milton’s NIMBYs can at least whine about the changes even if they have to comply.
Important to note:
The regulation implementing the statute was struck down because it was not introduced properly (notice and comment boring admin stuff). This means they will have to redo the rule, which may take a year if it’s like the federal side then they’ll get sued again most likely.
Hell yeah, get fucked NIMBYs. Marshfield, you’re next!!!