A Valentine’s Day vote rejected a new zoning law in Milton. It was a close vote with little love lost between opposing sides on a crucial zoning law on housing in this Boston suburb.
“The housing crisis is really important it’s a big issue in Massachusetts and we each should be doing our part,” said Luisa Lyons who voted Yes in the Special Town election.
The vote was originally scheduled for Tuesday February 13th but inclement weather postponed it one day.
Jim Davis, a No voter, says this zoning law passed by he town is not the best way forward.
“I think the town wants zoning of some kind… just not this zoning,” said Jim Davis.
Milton Town Meeting approved the new zoning law in December which would have allowed construction of multi-family housing. However, opponents forced a referendum that has effectively reverted zoning to the previous model where you need a special permit to build anything but a single family.
The No vote now means the town risks losing state grant money and faces possible legal action.