REHOBOTH — As the town considers how to comply with a state housing law, local officials and residents are working to clarify what the legislation does — and does not — require.
The MBTA Communities Act is a Massachusetts law requiring 177 cities and towns to create zoning districts that allow multi-family housing near public transportation, aimed at addressing the state’s housing shortage. The zoning districts must be located within half a mile of a subway, commuter rail, ferry terminal, or bus station. The minimum density for these districts is 15 units per acre, and each community’s zoning plan must allow for a specific number of new multi-family units, which varies based on the town’s current housing stock.
Rehoboth, Massachusetts qualifies as one of the towns required to comply with the MBTA Communities Act due to its designation as an MBTA community because it is adjacent to towns that host MBTA services (such as commuter rail, subway, or ferry). Although Rehoboth itself does not have a direct MBTA station, it qualifies because of its proximity to neighboring communities that do…