As special election voting was in progress in Needham late this afternoon, Gov. Maura Healey’s office and the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) released the emergency MBTA Communities Act regulations promised after last week’s Supreme Judicial Court decision.
Released Tuesday at approximately 4 p.m., the regulations ensure that there is both a court-approved law and a working set of guidelines as the state creates new permanent guidelines, which the SJC decision requires.
The release reads in part, “The court directed EOHLC to publish the law’s guidelines in accordance with the Administrative Procedures Act in order for the law to be enforceable. Emergency regulations are in effect immediately and for 90 days. EOHLC intends to adopt regulations permanently following a public comment period.”
Kevin Connor, spokesman for the EOHLC, said, “The only significant change in the regulations is that communities will have more time to come into compliance.” Communities including Needham which did not have the required zoning as of Jan. 1, 2025, will now have until July 14 to create the zoning overlay.
There will be an interim date of Feb. 13 for those communities to submit plans for compliance, and interim compliance will be granted on the basis of those plans.
Save as PDF