PROVINCETOWN – The nuances of the commonwealth’s zoning laws have long been a vexing matter for local planning officials.
Representative Sarah Peake (D-Provincetown), along with State Senator Dan Wolf (D-Harwich) is sponsoring a bill that calls for a reexamination of Massachusetts’ zoning laws to bring them more in line with other New England states as well as state’s across the county.
Peake said current laws have been on the books since 1972 and it’s time for the state to reconsider the rules.
The bill contains an opt-in provision which would allow communities to create open space in return for denser housing allowances. Peake says she hopes to get the bill through the house by the end of this session.
Peake said if the bill becomes law, current use variances would be left in place, but future variances would no longer run with the land.
