State House News Service 

September 22, 1999--After decades of community development planning that has sometimes been aimless when done at all, the Legislature is considering a plan to offer cash incentives to cities and regions as a way to encourage them to draft logical growth strategies. 

The theory behind legislation heard by the Natural Resources Committee today is communities with master plans for development and sensible growth can avoid permanently damaging or destroying natural, historic, cultural and economic resources. 

"I think the time has arrived that the people of the Commonwealth have realized the effect of poor planning has had on the environment and the economy," said Donald O'Connor, a Boston lawyer who specializes in community planning.  "This allows a more intelligent, thoughtful and better articulated vision of what our communities should be." 

The "sustainable development" bill encourages community and regional planning agencies to look at all facets of the future, including open space, affordable housing, transportation, and economic development.  While zoning bylaws sometimes inhibit planners, communities with growth management plans claim they have a better handle on the future of local land use. 

To coax officials into creating the plans, the bill sets aside nearly $12 million to be used for planning grants. Communities would be eligible for grants of up to $30,000, and regional authorities could receive $100,000. 

According to Rep. Douglas Petersen, D-Marblehead, the chairman of the Natural Resources Committee and the chief sponsor of the House bill, the grant proposal is one of the first of its kind in Massachusetts. 

"This is the first comprehensive attempt to make planning attractive to communities," Petersen said.  "The open space bond bill had a small amount of funding in it, but it has dribbled out in such a small way that it is not meeting the needs." 

For activists and planners, the promise of state funding to promote development plans is one that will prod communities into hashing out a plan. 

"We see a lot of hope," said Susan Moses, a Merrimack Valley Planning Commission member.  "We're very much in favor of this." 

Tim Brennan, a member of the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, said without state funding, being able to plan for future development is a "luxury." Many communities in the state don't have plans in place, and some have plans that are up to 40 years old. 

"This will allow local cities and towns to make plans and decide what they want their communities to be like," said Buzz Constable, the legislative chairman of the Metropolitan Area Planning Council. 

The bill met no resistance.  It even won the support of the 7,000-member Greater Boston Real Estate Board.  GBREB President David Wluka warned against adding layers of permitting and reviews to an "already cumbersome" development process, but added, "As participants in a thriving economy, we understand not only the benefits but also the challenges presented by the pace of growth in our cities and towns." 

Wluka said meeting housing needs is "of paramount concern to the business community," as well as immediate efforts that will ensure long-term economic growth. 

Many who testified in favor of the proposal were on a task force that helped Petersen and Senate committee chairman Marc Pacheco (D-Taunton) in drafting the bill. 

"We've worked very hard to get a consensus on this bill," Petersen said. "I see this as the environmental bill of the 21st century." 

The sustainable development bill expands on planning features in  the Community Preservation Act, which was recently passed by the Senate.  That bill is more directed at fiscal issues.  It would allow any community to enact a tax on real estate transfers or a property tax surcharge to pay for open space, or the preservation of affordable housing or historic properties. 

Petersen said the sustainable development bill encompasses all aspects of community planning. 

"What this does is say there are more needs. It expands the list of needs and says how are you going to plan for that," Petersen said. 

Petersen said after meetings with House Speaker Thomas Finneran, he thinks the Community Preservation Act, a Finneran priority, will be done before the Legislature recesses in November. 
 

RETURN TO FRONT PAGE