Massachusetts Court Clears Path for Mandatory Housing Zoning: MBTA Communities Law Upheld Against Legal Challenges

Cities and towns that have been dragging their feet on enacting new zoning for housing under the state’s MBTA Communities Law will have to move forward. On Friday a Massachusetts Superior Court judge ruled the law does not impose an unfunded mandate on towns. The judge sided with the Attorney General’s Office and dismissed lawsuits filed by nine towns including Wrentham. The judge also denied the towns’ motions for an injunction to exempt them from their obligation to comply with the law.