Winthrop Information Resource: Multi-family housing requirements in the 3A Zoning section of the MBTA Communities Law | Town Memorials

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Multi-family housing requirements in the
3A Zoning section of the MBTA Communities Law

Winthrop Information Resource

MBTA Communities Compliance Map

Local News Coverage / Boston Regional

Town Could See follow-up Meeting with State on 3A

Marino provides update on state 3A meeting

Letterie provides update on meeting with state officials on 3A

Council Motion to Join 3A Exemption Fails

Town Misses Out on State Tree Grant

In Winthrop, the state’s ambitious housing law was on the ballot. It lost in a rout

How the state’s most ambitious housing law in decades is tearing this peninsula town apart

Council Supports Turco Legislation Calling for 3A Repeal, Exemptions

State Deadline for MBTA 3A Communities Act Compliance Passes

Council Once Again Fails to Support 3A Compliance Plan

Council, planning board hold 3A public hearing

Council Debates Latest Steps in 3A Process

Council Votes No on 3A Compliance Plan

Planning Bd. makes Recommendation on 3A Compliance Plan

Winthrop Says No to 3A Committee, Files Petition for Ballot Vote on 3A

Council Says No to 3A Citizens’ Petition Schedules Special Meeting on Planning Board Recommendation

No to 3A Committee hosts forum Monday

Debate continues on 3A as Planning Board nears making compliance recommendation

Council Continues Debate on 3A Act

Council Calls for Special Meeting with Planning Board on 3A Recommendations

Consultants present revised 3A compliance proposal to Town Planning Board

Citizens’ petition could put 3A decision on the ballot

Marino gives update on latest 3A, Fire Station information

Council, Planning Board hears from public on 3A concerns

Winthrop residents vocal in opposition to MBTA zoning mandate for housing

Towm officials meet with state on 3A zoning

On 3A Zoning - an overview

Large Crowd Attends Republican Town Comm. Meeting on MBTA Communities Act

Thoughts on MBTA Laws and Winthrop - Guest Op-Ed: State Senator Lydia Edwards

Winthrop Hosts Meeting on MBTA Communities Act

Request Denied: State Says No to Reclassifying Town Under MBTA Zoning

Council Continues Discussion of MBTA 3A Zoning

Council Supports Letter Seeking Accommodations on MBTA 3A Zoning

Consultant reviews MBTA 3A zoning work

Healey-Driscoll Administration Announces Updates to MBTA Communities Guidelines

Town Meetings (WCAT)

Town Council votes on Planning Board recommendations for 3A, June 17, 2025

Town Council special joint meeting with the Planning Board Meeting, June 17, 2025

Town Coucil special joint meeting with the Planning Board Meeting, June 11, 2025

Special Town Council November 19, 2024

Planning Board Meeting, November 12, 2024

Winthrop Town Council Meeting of September 4, 2024

Winthrop Planning Board/Town Council Joint Meeting On MBTA 3A Zoning, August 27, 2024

Winthrop Planning Board Meeting of July 16, 2024: MBTA 3A Presentation with RKG Consultants

Winthrop Planning Board Meeting: 3A Presentation with RKG Consultant, June 10, 2024

Town Council Meeting May 21 2024

Winthrop Town Council/Planning Board Joint Meeting Regarding The Communities Act 3A, May 14, 2024

All About the MBTA Communities Act 3A

A Discussion on MBTA Communities Act, 3A, Winthrop Senior Center, April 9, 2024

MBTA Communities Act Meeting March 21, 2024 Saint Michael’s Parish Center

Winthrop Town Council Meeting of March 19, 2024

Winthrop Town Council Meeting of March 12, 2024

Winthrop Town Council Meeting of February 20, 2024

Winthrop Town Council Meeting of February 6, 2024

Winthrop Town Council Meeting of January 16, 2024

More 3A Information

Community Engagement Technical Assistance for MBTA Communities

Addressing misconceptions about new MBTA communities zoning law

MBTA zoning technical assistance & MHP's Complete Neighborhoods Initiative

DHCD releases final zoning rules for MBTA communities

MBTA Zoning & Complete Neighborhoods

Town of Winthrop Information

MBTA Community Section 3A Program

2025

Appeal letter on denial of Cooling Corridors Grant (PDF)

Town Manager Report 9-2-2025 (PDF)

Public comments of the town of Winthrop, Massachusetts regarding proposed regulations under G. L. C. 40A, § 3A (PDF)

Winthrop Action Plan for MBTA Communities (Word doc) | (PDF)

Winthrop Action Plan for MBTA Communities (PDF)

Letter to Secretary Augustus with Winthrop Action Plan (PDF)

2024

Letter to Town Council - Plan for compliance with MBTA communities Act (PDF)

Winthrop Planning Board recommendations to Town Council MBTA 3A

Letter from Director, Livable Communities - Pre-adoption review (PDF)

Draft Zoning for Compliance with Section 3A, Sep. 9, 2024 (PDF)

Winthrop MBTA Communities - Planning Board - June 10th Meeting Recap (PDF)

Winthrop MBTA Communities - Planning Board June 10th Meeting Recap (PDF)

Winthrop MBTA Communities - Planning Board - What are Winthrop's compliance requirements? (PDF)

Letter to Sec, Augustus explaining Winthrop's housing efforts and requesting meeting (PDF)

Letter from Director, Livable Communities - MBTA Communities Requirements (PDF)

Letter requesting Gov. Maura Healey recategorize Winthrop (PDF)

More General Information and FAQs

Archived

3A/MBTA Communities FAQ (PDF)

MBTA Commuities Draft Final Package - Town of Winthrop

Winthrop Section 3A Action Plans submitted (PDF)

Invitation for bids for RFP 2024-37, Community Planning Assistance for 3A Zoning Compliance (PDF)

Town of Winthrop Consultants

RKG Associates

Utile Architects

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Information

Multi-family Zoning Requirement for MBTA Communities

AG Campbell Sues Nine Communities For Noncompliance With MBTA Communities Law

All Section 3A Action Plan for MBTA Communities submitted as of April 5, 2023 (PDF)

Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC)

MBTA Communities Catalyst Fund

Healey-Driscoll Administration Awards $8.7 Million to Compliant MBTA Communities in Support of New Housing

Preliminary Guidance for MBTA Communities Regarding Compliance with Section 3A of Chapter 40A (PDF)

DRAFT Compliance Guidelines for Multi-family Districts Under Section 3A of the Zoning Act (PDF)

Section 3A: Multi-family zoning as-of-right in MBTA communities

Letters to Local Officials in MBTA Communities

Final guidelines to determine compliance with section 3A of the Zoning Act (PDF)

Governor Baker signed an omnibus economic development package (PDF)

Chapter 358, An Act Enabling Partnerships for Growth

Boston "MBTA Communities Act" News Coverage

Boston Globe

After ambitious state law, Lexington welcomed a wave of new housing. Now people there are having second thoughts.

Researchers find MBTA housing law benefits ‘modest’ so far

Campbell sues nine cities and towns for rebuffing state housing law

Here are the 12 communities that haven’t passed a new state-approved housing plan yet

In Winthrop’s defiance of the MBTA Communities Act, when does local opposition go too far?

In Winthrop, the state’s ambitious housing law was on the ballot. It lost in a rout.

Wellesley forestland is a sticking point in state housing plan

In Winthrop’s defiance of the MBTA Communities Act, when does local opposition go too far?

What does it take to buy a typical single-family home in Greater Boston? $1 million.

New 'Atlas' maps zoning in every community in Massachusetts

After multiyear saga, Milton finally approves a state housing plan

Towns lose their latest challenge to controversial state housing law

Poll shows most Mass. voters favor more housing despite local resistance

Middleborough drops lawsuit against controversial state housing law

Mass. state auditor Diana DiZoglio accuses AG Andrea Campbell of trying to ‘scapegoat’ her, ratcheting up dispute

Middleborough sues Healey, state over MBTA housing law requirements

More controversy erupts after state auditor says Mass. housing law is an ‘unfunded mandate’

Is this the fix for Massachusetts’ housing crisis?

A mandate for Boston’s suburbs: Make room for more apartments

The next frontier for housing: Suburban office parks

Bravo to Cambridge for ending single-family-only zoning

222,000 new homes must be built over the next decade to fix housing shortage, state says

The latest consequence for rejecting a state housing law: Firefighter equipment grants

Needham voters just rejected the town’s state-mandated housing plan. Now what?

In latest town to be split by housing plan, Needham voters head to the polls

Take it from a Milton resident: Needham should vote ‘yes’ on the controversial housing plan

Misguided MBTA Communities Act is based on a myth

SJC supports controversial housing law, but says details must be rewritten

Read the full high court ruling on state lawsuit against Milton over housing law

2024

First Milton, now Needham: Another town is set to vote on controversial MBTA housing plan

A key housing law gets its day in court as SJC hears state’s lawsuit against Milton

It’s Massachusetts vs. Milton at the state’s high court on Monday

As housing battles brew, business leaders join the push to build more

‘We are winning this fight for housing’: Healey touts momentum on state zoning rules

Milton’s case against MBTA law heads to SJC

Poll gauges statewide support for MBTA zoning law

The YIMBYs are coming, to the suburbs

Letters - MBTA Communities law has people talking about housing. That’s progress.

Despite high-profile losses, most towns passed their MBTA Communities plans this spring

‘A sobering statistic’: The typical house here now costs $950,000.

The state’s new housing law aimed to help fix the affordability crisis. Experts say it won’t deliver.

Healey launches political advocacy group to dive into local housing fights

Marblehead Town Meeting votes down new zoning to comply with MBTA Communities law

Map: Nearly 200 towns must rezone under the MBTA Communities law. Has your town complied?

Rockport residents file lawsuit, allege plan to comply with MBTA zoning law is unconstitutional

An ambitious Mass. housing law is coming to your town. Here’s what you need to know.

Marshfield rejects state zoning law aimed at boosting housing supply, joining Milton

Acton residents nix bid to study MBTA, other new zoning proposals

Milton fires back on state lawsuit over MBTA housing law

Healey wants communities to work with state on MBTA housing

West Newbury grapples with small town compliance to MBTA zoning law

Wanted: a clear ruling from the SJC on new housing law

Milton housing lawsuit will head to state’s highest court later this year

Milton isn’t a ‘rapid transit community,’ no matter how many times the state says it is

Campbell wants to accelerate Milton housing lawsuit. Milton has other plans.

The MBTA Communities Act foes are stirring

Milton must lose its fight against inclusive housing

Opinion: Housing for all must include equity

‘It’s an invasion.’ In towns across Eastern Mass., resistance grows against ambitious state housing law.

Amid a housing crisis, Milton can’t be allowed to flout new zoning law

It’s Massachusetts v. Milton in a key test of state’s ambitious new housing law

After Milton’s MBTA housing defeat, the way forward is with persuasion, not mandates

Milton to lose out on state grants after rejecting controversial housing plan

Healey admqweqeqw about more than money.

Healey administration bars Milton from state grants after defiant housing vote. It’s about more than money.

After Milton vote, the question remains: What now?

A day after referendum vote, Milton residents remain divided over housing plan

Four maps that show where, how — and by whom — Milton’s housing plan was defeated

‘No winners here: Milton residents voted down a plan for more housing. But the state isn’t our colonial overlord.

Healey put her political clout behind Milton housing plan. Voters rejected it anyway.

In Milton, it’s downright ugly with neighbors against neighbors ahead of Tuesday’s vote on housing

After fierce debate, Milton voters overturn state-mandated housing plan

‘A murky area’: Milton residents may vote to defy the state’s ambitious housing law. A lawsuit could follow.

In Milton, a critical vote to help ease the housing crisis

Massachusetts is attempting to dig out of a massive housing crisis. The state’s top lawyer wants to help.

AG Campbell threatens ‘legal action,’ loss of funding if Milton referendum tanks new zoning plan

Milton vote next month will be a crucial test for state’s ambitious new housing law

2023

In the battle to build more housing, Massachusetts is making gains

Milton voters will have final say on controversial zoning plan on Feb. 13

Milton’s compliance with state rezoning mandate in doub

Milton Town Meeting passes plan to allow for more multifamily housing in some areas

‘Should towns be pushed to relax zoning laws?’ and other questions about the Greater Boston housing crisis answered

Newton council passes scaled-back plan to allow more multifamily housing in some areas

Brookline overwhelmingly accepts plan to rezone its major commercial corridor to allow multifamily housing

Zoning laws, racial covenants, and segregation in Greater Boston explored in new report

Debate rages about MBTA housing law, but all’s quiet in Braintree as deadline nears

After tense debate, Arlington adopts new housing plan

Healey’s big new housing push includes $4 billion in funding — and controversial tax and zoning changes

Cambridge passes new affordable housing rules, paving the way for taller buildings

Beyond the Gilded Gate: a Boston Globe Spotlight Team report into the Massachusetts Housing Crisis

Is the state right to now require cities and towns with MBTA stations to allow multifamily housing nearby?

State may deny grants to communities that don’t comply with new MBTA housing law

Holden wants to hold the line on housing. It mustn’t win that fight.

First lawsuit over new Mass. housing law targets town of Holden

Zoning in the Boston suburbs is stacked against families with children

To meet new state housing law, Newton aims to make its villages a little taller

Lexington seizes opportunity to pass inclusive zoning reforms

With high costs and little new housing, Lexington becomes first town to meet ambitious new zoning law

Lexington’s proposed zoning changes set the bar

The MBTA Communities law is putting Brookline’s liberal values to the test

Towns that defy new MBTA housing law could face state legal action, Campbell says

In development-leery Brookline, an early test of the state’s multifamily housing law

Middleborough defying new state multifamily housing law

Most towns are going along with the state’s new multifamily housing law. Not Middleborough

Cities and towns must allow more housing near the MBTA under a new law. But is the T up to the task?

As new housing law takes effect, most towns fall in line, for now

Next week, cities and towns have to start filing housing plans with the state. What’s coming?

As new housing law takes effect, most towns fall in line, for now

2022

State softens budget cuts for towns that don’t comply with new MBTA housing law

Massachusetts enacted its most ambitious housing law in decades. Now the hard part is enforcing it.

Grant to help town plan development near commuter rail

NIMBYs bare their fangs at new Mass. housing law

After towns protest, Baker administration scales back housing rules around MBTA

Is the state’s multi-family zoning requirement in MBTA communities good policy?

Baker’s housing law is ruffling suburban feathers. Good.

Charlie Baker wants lots of new housing around MBTA stations. Not so fast, towns say.

2021

Bold guidance for MBTA communities

Zoning measure would require municipalities to allow higher-density housing near MBTA stations

Boston.com

Holden rejects second MBTA Communities proposal, faces legal action

Middleton loses $2 million state grant after failing to comply with MBTA Communities Act

Attorney General sues 9 towns for noncompliance with MBTA zoning law

MBTA Communities Act: What’s next for your town

10 towns remain defiant of MBTA Communities Act as year-end deadline looms

Marshfield presses appeal of MBTA Communities Act, arguing law is unconstitutional

Braintree’s first MBTA Communities Act development advances toward approval

MBTA Communities Act: What’s next for your town

Report finds loopholes, permitting slowdown are worsening Greater Boston housing crisis

Lexington’s housing boom proves green building policies don’t slow development

Winthrop loses $1.2M in climate grants over MBTA Communities Act noncompliance

MBTA Communities Act: What’s next for your town

Marblehead overturns multifamily housing vote

Timeline: These Mass. towns sued the state over MBTA Communities Act

Milton approves zoning for MBTA Housing Law

Mass. Superior Court rejects towns’ claim that MBTA housing law is an ‘unfunded mandate’

Milton becomes ‘interim compliant’ with MBTA Communities Act after years-long standoff

Housing remains the top issue for Mass. — and voters are willing to change their neighborhoods to get it, poll says

Mass. town sues Healey administration over MBTA zoning law

State auditor calls MBTA Communities Act ‘unfunded mandate’

7 myths about the MBTA Communities Act, debunked by experts

What’s next for Needham after MBTA Communities vote?

Needham rejects MBTA zoning compliance after town-wide vote

State files new guidelines for MBTA zoning act after SJC calls law ‘unenforcable’

SJC: MBTA Communities Act is legal, but ‘presently unenforceable’

2024

Weston votes down MBTA Communities Act zoning proposal

These towns are seeing results from the MBTA Communities Act

Winthrop and Medway among the latest towns to chafe against the MBTA Communities Act

Here’s why readers say their town shouldn’t comply with MBTA Communities Act

Candidate for SJC clerk joins rally against MBTA zoning law currently before the court

What is the MBTA Communities Act? More towns move to block multi-family zoning

Rockport residents challenge town’s plan to comply with MBTA zoning law

Milton pushes back against AG’s suit to force multifamily housing zoning

‘It’s an invasion.’ In towns across Eastern Mass., resistance grows against ambitious state housing law

AG Campbell threatens legal action against Milton over MBTA zoning act

Other Cities and Towns

Middleborough