Earlier in the year, Georgetown received a $20,000 grant from the state for technical assistance to comply with multifamily zoning requirements for MBTA communities, commonly referred to as 3A. Georgetown has hired the Merrimack Valley Planning Commission (MVPC), with the goal to have MVPC present a draft overlay district the Planning Board by the end of September.
Under state law, Georgetown is required to create a zoning district(s) that is a minimum of 50 acres where multi-family housing is allowed by-right. The minimum multifamily district unit capacity is 750 with a minimum density of 15 units per acre.
After finalizing the draft overlay district, the Planning Board seeks to schedule public hearings beginning in January 2024. Georgetown residents will vote on the proposal to seek compliance at their Spring 2024 Town Meeting.
If Georgetown does not comply with 3A, the town may face a possible housing discrimination lawsuit from the Attorney General’s office, and loss of access to the Local Captial Projects Fund and grant funding from the MassWorks and Community One-stop Application funds.
