MBTA Communities Overlay District Information

On October 25, 2023, Special Town Meeting voted to adopt Article 12: MBTA Communities Overlay District, with the Revised Anderson Amendment. As with all changes to the bylaw, Article 12 must be reviewed by the Attorney General to ensure that it is compliant with state law. It must also be reviewed by the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) to ensure that it is compliant with the MBTA Communities legislation (MGL Ch. 40A, Section 3A). The AG's Office will respond within the next 90 days, and we expect a response from EOHLC by early February, so that the Town can participate in the Fossil Fuel-Free Demonstration Program, also adopted at this Special Town Meeting.

Below, you can find information on the process that preceded the Special Town Meeting vote.

• Read the Redevelopment Board Report to Town Meeting.
• Review the MBTA Communities Overlay Map, Parcel List, and Compliance Model.
• View the Working Group's presentation on the MBTA Communities Overlay District to precinct and neighborhood meetings.
• Read the Working Group's Final Report and Presentation to the Redevelopment Board.
• Read Frequently Asked Questions the Working Group compiled based on questions from the community.

If you have additional comments or questions, please contact the Department of Planning and Community Development.

Project Background

In 2020, Governor Baker signed into law a requirement that Arlington, along with 174 other communities in eastern Massachusetts with access to MBTA service, create a district or districts were multifamily housing is allowed by right. Updated guidelines from the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) indicate that Arlington is an "adjacent" community, and the new zoning district(s) do not have to be within proximity of Alewife Station.

On March 15, 2023, the Attorney General issued an advisory concerning enforcement of the law. By complying with this requirement, the Town will:

• remain eligible for important state grants for infrastructure projects;
• be able to participate in the state's fossil fuel ban pilot program, which will advance the Town's stated goal of creating net zero carbon emissions by 2050;
• take part in a regional response to the region's housing crisis by encouraging development of smaller multifamily housing.

Additionally, the Master Plan, Housing Production Plan, Fair Housing Action Plan, Net Zero Action Plan, and Connect Arlington (the Sustainable Transportation Plan) recommend identifying areas that are priorities for redevelopment and amending zoning to allow multi-family housing in more locations in the town.

Throughout 2023, the Town, supported by resident volunteers in the MBTA Communities Working Group, has been leading a planning process with extensive community engagement to determine the location and details of Arlington's district(s).

On September 11, 2023, the MBTA Communities Working Group presented their Final Report to the Arlington Redevelopment Board.

On October 2, 2023, the Redevelopment Board voted to approve an amended version of Warrant Article 12, the MBTA Communities Overlay District, for Special Town Meeting.

Planning Process and Prior Meetings

September 11, 2023 - The MBTA Communities Working Group presented their final recommendations to the Redevelopment Board at a public meeting attended by more than 150 residents. Members of the Working Group and staff from the Department of Planning and Community Development presented the proposal, and the community had the opportunity to ask questions and make comments. 

• Watch the meeting recording.
• Read the meeting minutes.
• View the presentation slides.

July 25, 2023 - The MBTA Communities Working Group hosted a public meeting attended by more than 100 residents. Members of the Working Group and staff from the Department of Planning and Community Development reviewed the proposed district and the process that has gotten them to this proposal, and the community had the opportunity to ask questions and make comments. 

• Watch the meeting recording.
• Read the meeting summary.
• View the presentation slides.

June 8, 2023 – The MBTA Communities Working Group hosted a public meeting attended by more than 125 residents to present Arlington’s Draft MBTA District Communities map. Participants worked in small groups and provided valuable input in the future development of the proposed multifamily zone to comply with the new state requirement.

• Watch the meeting recording 
• Read the meeting report.
• View the presentation slides, the outreach materials, and the group activity materials.

March 9, 2023 – To kick off the visioning phase of this project, DPCD and the MBTA Communities Working Group hosted a community visioning session on March 9, 2023. Staff provided an overview of Section 3A requirements and how they apply to Arlington, and then invited participants to join breakout groups to discuss various topics, neighborhood features and amenities, and potential locations for multifamily housing in Arlington.

• Watch the meeting recording.
• View the presentation slides.

November 17, 2022 – On Thursday, November 17, 2022, DPCD staff presented an overview of MBTA Communities legislation to describe the basic requirements of MGL Ch. 40A, Section 3A and what it means for Arlington, why compliance matters, potential starting points for considering how to locate Arlington’s district(s), and the schedule for engaging with the community to develop a zoning recommendation. The meeting included ample time for Q&A.

• Watch the presentation.
• View the presentation slides.

DPCD has offered to meet with boards, committees, and communities groups as many times as reasonably requested. To schedule a presentation, please contact Claire Ricker, Director of Planning and Community Development, at cricker@town.arlington.ma.us.

Maps, Presentations, and Surveys

The draft map has gone through multiple iterations, each new version being informed by community feedback. All the versions, along with reports and presentations, can be viewed here.

MBTA Communities Working Group

The MBTA Communities Working Group met from February to September 2023. They presented their proposal and final report to the Arlington Redevelopment Board (ARB) at the ARB's meeting on September 11, 2023. The Working Group was formally dissolved at the end of the fall Special Town Meeting, on October 25, 2023.

Working Group Meetings