MBTA Communities Zoning

The Commonwealth is in a housing crisis. Many people who want to remain in or move to Dracut, cannot afford to do so based on the current housing options and costs. Additionally, high and fast-growing home and rental prices threaten the economic competitiveness of our region and state. Housing is the top challenge for economic growth and retention of existing businesses and industries.

By allowing multi-family housing in communities located generally near transit, new housing can eventually be created with more walkable neighborhoods. This is not just good housing policy, it is good climate and transportation policy. The goal is to make it easier to create more housing closer to the places that residents and visitors go every day, such as local shops, jobs, schools, restaurants, parks, etc. 

In 2020, the Commonwealth added Section 3A to MGL Chapter 40A, and titled it “MBTA (Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority) Communities Zoning Law.” This new law applies to all MBTA Communities, as defined in Section 1 of MGL Chapter 161A. As Dracut abuts Lowell, which has a commuter rail station, Dracut is classified as an “Adjacent Community.”

The MBTA Communities Zoning Law requires a zoning district where multi-family housing is allowed by right without age-restriction or mandates around unit size or bedroom count. As an Adjacent Community, Dracut has until December 31, 2024 to comply with the new law.

While this Zoning Change is a mandate from the Commonwealth, it does come with opportunities to provide positive impacts in Dracut.  Future development under MBTA compliant zoning will likely diversify the housing stock with additional types of housing – including rental options.  Constructed housing will likely provide more options for first time homeowners and residents looking to downsize in Dracut.  It will also support local businesses and restaurants – providing both employees and customers. Lastly, multi-family housing near amenities or transportation means families and individuals that live in the district may be more likely to walk or bike to destinations. 

Timeline

The State required that each MBTA Community submit an Action Plan of anticipated steps to create and adopt compliant zoning.  This was submitted on January 9th of 2023 and approved by the State on January 27, 2023.  This approval confirms our Interim Compliance until December 31, 2024, when we must comply by submitting Town Meeting approved zoning changes.