Halifax Proposes MBTA Communities Zoning Compliance with Minimal Town Impact

Selectmen unveil plan to create overlay district around existing multifamily housing, potentially satisfying state law without significant changes

HALIFAX, MA - September 10 - Town officials have unveiled a plan to comply with the state's MBTA Communities housing law that they believe will have minimal impact on the community's landscape and character.

The proposal, presented at the September 10 Board of Selectmen meeting, involves creating a zoning overlay district around existing multifamily housing near the town's train station.

"We are proposing to place an overlay zone on this area, identifying Twin Lakes development property and certain abutting property to more precisely describe what is already in place," said Board of Selectmen Chairman John Bruno.

The MBTA Communities housing law requires communities near transit stations to zone for multifamily housing within a half-mile radius. Halifax's plan largely encompasses the existing Twin Lakes Condominiums development.

"Since the law does not require that anything new actually be built, and since Halifax already has an area supporting a multifamily development, putting the proposed zoning change in place resolves any issue about compliance with the state decree," Bruno explained.

Town Administrator Cody Haddad confirmed that state officials have preliminarily approved the plan, with only minor adjustments requested.

"We don't foresee any issues getting it passed," Haddad said.

The town must vote on the zoning plan by Dec. 31 to remain in compliance with state law. A special town meeting is scheduled for Dec. 16 to consider the proposal.

While town officials view the plan as a way to satisfy state requirements with minimal local impact, some residents expressed concerns during the meeting.

Amy Troup, a local resident, questioned the timing of the special town meeting during the holiday season and raised broader concerns about the MBTA housing law's potential long-term effects.

"We need to start standing against this instead of complying with, because when are they going to come in and be like, oh, I'm sorry, but now this is a change, and we're going to do this, and we're going to do that," Troup said.

In a separate matter, town officials revealed that Halifax will lose approximately $185,000 in annual revenue due to changes in state regulations regarding cannabis impact fees.

Haddad explained that the town can no longer collect a 3% community impact fee from marijuana dispensaries, as previously allowed under negotiated host community agreements.

"Between the two dispensaries for the last fiscal year was around $185,000," Haddad said, referring to the amount collected under the impact fee.

The Board of Selectmen voted unanimously to submit the proposed MBTA zoning changes to the planning board for review and to schedule a public hearing on the matter.

Town officials emphasized that the final decision on adopting the MBTA zoning plan will rest with voters at the December special town meeting.