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NEEDHAM, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — Needham becomes the latest town to reject mandates from the state on rezoning multi-family housing.
Back in October, Town Meeting voted in favor of a plan that would have put Needham in compliance with the MBTA Communities Act. Those opposed had enough support to force a special election, opening up the vote to the entire town.
On Tuesday, roughly 12,000 Needham residents voted on the special referendum. With nearly 60 percent of residents voting against the measure, the town now has to come up with a new plan to be in compliance with the state.
According to Needham Selectboard Chair Kevin Keane, the town created two plans last year to comply: a base plan and a neighborhood plan. Keane told WBZ NewsRadio’s Laurie Kirby that Tuesday’s vote was for the “more exuberant” neighborhood plan.
“There was a sense that [the neighborhood plan would have] too much intense density and I think people are just reluctant to jump in on that,” said Keane.
The location was the same for both projects, but the neighborhood plan would have created over 1,000 more units than the mandate required. Keane said some residents were worried that the drastic increase could create a “character issue” for the town.
Read More: New MBTA Zoning Rules Give Noncompliant Towns More Time
Also on Tuesday, Gov. Maura Healey filed emergency regulations requiring cities and towns to submit a plan to comply with the MBTA Communities Act by 11:59 p.m. on Feb. 13. Towns that are not in compliance, like Needham and Milton, will also have to submit a district compliance application by July 14.
This comes after the State Supreme Judicial Court’s ruling earlier this month requiring compliance but said Gov. Healey’s plan was “presently unenforceable.”
Keane said town leaders were meeting on Wednesday to revisit the base plan and discuss the next steps. The emergency regulations are in effect for 90 days.
WBZ NewsRadio’s Jim MacKay (@JimMacKayOnAir) reports.
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