State Gives Wayland 30K To Help With MBTA Communities Zoning Law

WAYLAND, MA — Wayland will get a little help from the state in implementing a new zoning requirement for communities near MBTA stations.

Wayland has received a $30,000 grant from the state Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (previously called the Department of Housing and Community Development) to plan and execute local zoning changes under the new MBTA communities law

The law requires towns like Wayland located near transit stops to create new zoning districts that allow for denser housing. About 177 cities and towns across the region are considered MBTA communities because they either host or abut a transit stop. Wayland touches five communities with a commuter rail station: Framingham, Natick, Weston, Lincoln and Concord.

The law does not require communities to actually build housing, only create zones for potential construction. The law is aimed at increasing the availability of housing statewide to relieve a larger housing shortage.

According to Wayland Town Manager Michael McCall, the town will use the grant for administrative tasks related to creating the new zoning districts, plus a town forum on the issue ahead of spring town meeting 2024.

"Obviously, any grant award is helpful, however, this grant is particularly useful given the complexities associated with creating a new zoning district of this type," McCall said in a news release. "With that, I would like to take this opportunity to recognize Town Planner Robert Hummel for his work in securing this grant. The $30,000 grant award will significantly improve a number of key compliance related initiatives."

The Wayland Planning Board on Sept. 26 is scheduled to discuss the MBTA communities implementation, including locations for zoning overlay. The law requires communities to complete the new zoning process by Dec. 31, 2024.

The new law has caused some controversy in towns that abut transit stations. Holden is being sued by the Worcester-based Central Massachusetts Housing Alliance over its resistance to complying with the law.