In 2021, the MBTA Communities Law was enacted by the state legislature to address the current housing shortage.  It requires municipalities near MBTA services to adjust zoning regulations around MBTA stations allow multifamily housing by right.  Ashland is one of 177 communities covered by the MBTA Communities Law, and it is one of 84 communities which hosts an MBTA station.

 Categorized as a “Commuter Rail” community, Ashland needs to meet compliance requirements set forth by the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities.  Regulations require creating a zoning district or districts with specific criteria, including a minimum density of 15 units per acre and a minimum of 50 total acres.  For Ashland, this means zoning for an additional 1,124 multifamily units, 15% of Ashland’s 2020 housing stock.  40% of these units need to be located within one-half mile of the commuter rail station.

 Over the past year, an MBTA Working Group has been striving to create a thoughtful zoning plan that can make Ashland comply with the MBTA Communities legislation with limited impact to the town.  After several public forums with residents and several reviews with the Planning Board and Select Board, the MBTA Working Group has created the needed bylaws for presentation at Fall Town Meeting.  The Ashland Planning Board will hold a public hearing on the proposed bylaw changes on Thursday, October 10 at 7:15 pm during the regular Planning Board meeting.  This hearing will be held in person and via zoom.  The full meeting agenda and zoom link will be found at:  www.ashlandmass.com.

 All current and past information regarding the MBTA Communities Law in Ashland can be found at:  https://www.ashlandmass.com/1092/MBTA-Communities.