The Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities has officially approved the town’s MBTA Community Act 3A zoning, which was approved by Town Meeting last fall.
The MBTA Communities Act, which was signed into law by then-Gov. Charlie Baker, requires towns served by the Massachusetts transit system, such as Belmont, to create at least one 3A zoning district of reasonable size where multi-family housing is permitted and that meets other criteria.
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Barring one administrative correction, the town cleared its first hurdle earlier this month with the approval it received from the Office of the Attorney General. The EOHLC was the final approval needed by the town.
Director and Town Planner Chris Ryan previously said approval from the state agency would assure compliance with the law. That includes reviewing whether the zoning allows for at least 1,632 units—the minimum imposed on Belmont—and whether the density is at least 15 units per acre, among other criteria.
