What is MBTA Communities/ Section 3A?

The MBTA Communities law. or Section 3A. requires that 177 communities in eastern MA with access to MBTA service, including Belmont, amend their zoning to allow multi-family housing. The goal is to address the  housing  crisis  by  encouraging  new  housing  production  in  close  proximity  to  public transportation. Informed by community input and existing Town priorities. volunteer residents in the MBTA Communities Advisory Committee, with assistance from staff and MAPC, are in the process of developing a proposed zoning overlay plan in appropriate areas of the community and encourages multi-family housing in a variety of sizes and price points, near transit, retail. and other services.