2010 Massachusetts Question 2

Question 2
Massachusetts Comprehensive Permits and Regional Planning Initiative
Results
Choice
Votes %
Yes 900,405 41.78%
No 1,254,759 58.22%
Valid votes 2,155,164 100.00%
Invalid or blank votes 0 0.00%
Total votes 2,155,164 100.00%

The Massachusetts Comprehensive Permits and Regional Planning Initiative, also known as Question 2, appeared on the November 2, 2010 ballot in the state of Massachusetts as an initiative. Question 2 was rejected by the Massachusetts voters by 1,254,759 "No" votes to 900,405 "Yes" votes.[1] The measure had been sponsored by Better Not Bigger, a local advocacy group in the state.[2][3][4]

The proposed measure would have repealed a state law, the Comprehensive Permit Act (MGL ch. 40B), that allows an organization that is proposing to build government-subsidized housing that includes "low- or moderate-income units to apply for a single comprehensive permit from a city or town's zoning board of appeals." According to the official summary of the measure, the repeal would take effect on January 1, 2011. According to Chemaly, "It's not based on helping poor people. It's all about how can we sell as many units as possible and for them to still be federally and legally (dubbed) affordable" [5]

Details of Chapter 40B include:[6]

  • It became a law in 1969.
  • Allows developers to avoid local zoning limits if they agree to reserve some of their projects for moderate-income residents.
  • About 25 percent of the units must be set aside for moderate-income residents to meet this requirement.
  • Local areas can reject projects if 10 percent or more of their housing stock is deemed affordable.
  • If local towns or cities are making progress toward said 10 percent mark, they can still reject projects.

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