The House and Senate have reached an agreement to regulate and tax short term rentals, like AirBnB.
Housing
RECAP: Community Discussion on Birmingham Pkwy Possibilities
Attendees weighed-in on possible directions, including the potential for development of affordable housing, improvement of roadways and infrastructure, and preservation of open space
Zoning Reform — how it went in the Senate
The final vote was relatively close for a major bill with leadership support. But the volume and significance of the changes that the Senate made on the floor — and the close vote — make clear that a House-Senate consensus will not be reached before formal sessions end on July 31. I was pleased to speak for and vote for the bill. Here are some of my takeaways.
Continuing the conversation about zoning reform
Proposed zoning reforms make sense environmentally, economically and morally. They would move Massachusetts modestly towards a more regional planning approach common in other states and are fair fiscally.
Zoning reforms under discussion
Our state-wide zoning framework has not been overhauled since the early 1970s. People on all sides naturally view any changes in the rules with great suspicion. I do intend to support the comprehensive zoning reform package coming before the Senate — we need more housing. But I welcome all questions and comments — the details of the bill are still in flux.
City of Boston Student Housing Report
The City of Boston released this report on student housing that contains information about the size of the student population in neighborhoods across the city. Even though students are increasingly being housed on campus, they will continue to be a significant presence in our neighborhoods for years to come.