Weymouth Council Challenges State's Affordable Homes Act, Calls for Return to Local Zoning Control
Council drafts letter to state legislators expressing concerns over elimination of single-family zoning, citing potential impacts on neighborhood character
WEYMOUTH - February 18 - The Weymouth Town Council is taking a stand against Massachusetts' recently enacted Affordable Homes Act, drafting a formal letter to state legislators that expresses "disappointment" with provisions that effectively eliminate single-family zoning across the Commonwealth.
In a resolution presented during the Feb. 18 council meeting, Councillor Rick Coughlin introduced the letter addressing Senator Patrick O'Connor, Representative Ronald Mariano, and Representative James Murphy, characterizing the law as "overreach" by state government.
"This legislation ignores and simply tosses out work that in many cases took years to enact," the letter states, referring to existing municipal zoning regulations. "It will severely impact the quality of life for many who have worked hard to find homes in neighborhoods that are simply single-family homes."
The council particularly objects to what it describes as a "one-size-fits-all approach" to zoning that fails to recognize the distinct characteristics of urban, suburban, and rural communities across Massachusetts.
"Whether you're in Boston or you're out in the Berkshires, it's the same. It's not been well thought out at all," Coughlin says, noting that the state is already anticipating legal challenges over the next five years.
Coughlin points to evolving interpretations of the law's transit-related provisions as evidence of ongoing implementation challenges. Initial proposals regarding parking requirements near transit depots have already undergone modifications, particularly concerning the classification of bus stops.
"This truly is the end of single-family neighborhoods and it's going to change the entire character of the state," Coughlin says, calling on Weymouth residents to voice their concerns to state legislators.
The council unanimously approved sending the letter following a roll call vote.
Other Business:
- The council approved referring a $15,000 transfer from the FY25 reserve fund for traffic engineering consulting services following the retirement of the town's traffic engineer.
- A $15,800 appropriation request for restoration of the Hutchings pipe organ at the Unitarian Universalist Church Weymouth was referred to the budget management committee.
The next regularly scheduled town council meeting will be held on March 3 at 7:30 p.m. in the council chambers.