As an organization, Realtors® support “Smart Growth” special zoning overlay districts under the Commonwealth’s Chapter 40R provisions.
According to the Massachusetts Association of Realtors®, as of October 14, 2007, approximately 19 communities in Massachusetts have enacted or were in the process of establishing Chapter 40R overlay districts, which provide financial rewards to communities that adopt special zoning districts allowing as-of-right high density residential development.
Here are several summaries/literature on Chapter 40R Smart Growth Districting:
- Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD)
- Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC)
- MAR Quality of Life brochure
You can read about NSAR's post regarding Haverhill's Smart Growth districting here.