On 16 November 2023 the Sterling Planning Board, Chaired by self-serving weasel developer Carl Corrinne, discussed putting bogus so-called ‘MBTA Communities Multi-Family Housing Zoning Districts’ articles on the May 2024 Sterling Annual Town Meeting Warrant–https://www.sterling-ma.gov/planning-board/events/123551 Of course, ‘Conflict of Interest Carl’ would LOVE to have such measures passed because it would give him an opportunity to build more housing for personal gain. Any such zoning amendments require a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote to pass and be adopted.
What the Town Planner, ‘Conflict of Interest Carl’ and the Planning Board, the pro-developer hacks constituting the Sterling ZBA, the Town Administrator, and the Sterling Select Board WILL NEVER TELL YOU IS THAT MASS.GEN.LAWS CH. 40A, SECTION 3A, the so-called ‘MBTA Communities Multi-Family Housing Zoning Districts’ statute, DOES NOT APPLY TO THE TOWN OF STERLING BECAUSE STERLING HAS NO LAND WITHIN ONE-HALF MILE (0.5 MILES) OF ANY TRANSIT STATION OR TERMINAL REFERRED TO IN THAT SECTION.
Here is the entire text of Ch. 40A, Section 3A:
“(a)
(1) An MBTA community shall have a zoning ordinance or by-law that provides for at least 1 district of reasonable size in which multi-family housing is permitted as of right; provided, however, that such multi-family housing shall be without age restrictions and shall be suitable for families with children. For the purposes of this section, a district of reasonable size shall: (i) have a minimum gross density of 15 units per acre, subject to any further limitations imposed by section 40 of chapter 131 and title 5 of the state environmental code established pursuant to section 13 of chapter 21A; and (ii) be located not more than 0.5 miles from a commuter rail station, subway station, ferry terminal or bus station, if applicable.
(b)
An MBTA community that fails to comply with this section shall not be eligible for funds from: (i) the Housing Choice Initiative as described by the governor in a message to the general court dated December 11, 2017; (ii) the Local Capital Projects Fund established in section 2EEEE of chapter 29; (iii) the MassWorks infrastructure program established in section 63 of chapter 23A, or (iv) the HousingWorks infrastructure program established in section 27 of chapter 23B.
(c)
The executive office of housing and livable communities, in consultation with the executive office of economic development, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, shall promulgate guidelines to determine if an MBTA community is in compliance with this section.”
The totally dishonest Mass. Dept. of Housing and Community Development ‘Guidelines Team’ ignored the clear limiting language of Section 3A(a) and promulgated totally bogus so-called ‘Guidelines’ attempting to force ALL 177 so-called ‘MBTA Communities’ into adopting so-called ‘MBTA Communities Multi-Family Housing Zoning Districts’– Section 3A Guidelines | Mass.gov
The TOWN OF HOLDEN, to its everlasting credit, REFUSED TO BUY THAT BULLSHIT and prevailed recently in a lawsuit brought by Lefty housing advocates attempting to compel the Town of Holden to knuckle under—
Lawsuit over Mass. town not following state housing law thrown out by judge – masslive.com
NOTE that Blowhard Affirmative-Action-Hire Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell HAS NOT filed an action against the Town of Holden BECAUSE SHE KNOWS THAT THE ONLY STATUTORY SANCTION/PENALTY FOR ALLEGED NON-COMPLIANCE IS THE CUT-OFF OF STATE FUNDING REFERRED TO IN SECTION 3A(b).
The Sterling Town Administrator has admitted that the Town of Sterling HAS NOT BEEN RECEIVING ANY FUNDS REFERRED TO IN SECTION 3A(b).
NOW Town of Milton voters are stepping up to defeat ‘MBTA Communities Multi-Family Housing Zoning Districts’ State Tyranny:
Milton may choose not to comply with MBTA communities law (bostonglobe.com)
The Town of Middleborough has already told the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to SHOVE Ch. 40A, Section 3A SIDEWAYS—
It behooves ALL Sterling voters to show up at the 2024 Sterling Annual Town Meeting and vote to protect and preserve the Town’s integrity and character BY VOTING DOWN ANY AND ALL SO-CALLED ‘MBTA COMMUNITIES MULTI-FAMILY HOUSING ZONING DISTRICT’ ARTICLES ON THAT ANNUAL TOWN MEETING’S WARRANT.
J.G.
STERLING, MASSACHUSETTS, OVERWATCH 