Brookline is scrambling to meet the requirements of a state zoning law that could shape the town’s housing landscape and character for decades to come. The MBTA Communities law requires zoning changes meant to incentivize more multifamily housing near public transportation in hundreds of towns and cities across Massachusetts. In Brookline, two distinct paths with… Continue reading Brookline weighs its housing future as zoning law deadline approaches
Category: Town government
Town proposes mini-forest to combat urban heat island
As it seeks ways to fight the climate crisis, Brookline is looking at creating a mini-forest, hundreds of densely planted trees and shrubs that can become self-sufficient within three years, at a playground on Brookline Avenue. Brookline’s Urban Forest Climate Resiliency Master Plan, which sets goals to increase the tree canopy in town, identified North… Continue reading Town proposes mini-forest to combat urban heat island
Town Meeting update: Members approve ranked choice voting, office of housing stability
Town Meeting wrapped up its spring session last week, putting an end to proceedings until a special Town Meeting expected to take place in November, when members will likely be asked to vote on a compliance plan for the controversial MBTA Communities Act. The town’s response to the law, which sets new requirements for multi-family… Continue reading Town Meeting update: Members approve ranked choice voting, office of housing stability
Town Meeting update: New zoning rules aim to slow demolitions
Brookline Town Meeting wrapped up its second week on Thursday, signing off on the town’s $375,221,343 budget and voting on a number of policy proposals. In addition to a heated debate on the creation of a Black and Brown Commission, the town’s legislative body took on issues related to zoning, green buildings, marijuana licenses and… Continue reading Town Meeting update: New zoning rules aim to slow demolitions
Town Meeting punts on Black and Brown Commission
Brookline Town Meeting voted on Tuesday to refer a proposal to create a Black and Brown Commission to the town’s Select Board for more study, setting aside what had become a fraught issue among members of the town’s legislative body. Town Meeting members who spoke in opposition of the proposal acknowledged that Brookline has significant… Continue reading Town Meeting punts on Black and Brown Commission
Town Meeting signs off on Pierce rebuild
Brookline Town Meeting overwhelmingly approved funding for the Pierce School rebuilding project last night, putting an end to a brief but dramatic post-election debate over the school’s future. In the end, the vote was not close: The $210 million appropriation needed a two-thirds vote and ended up getting more than 80%, passing with 197 yes… Continue reading Town Meeting signs off on Pierce rebuild
Town Meeting preview: Pierce, guns and ranked choice voting
Town Meeting members will make decisions on the Pierce School project, a ban on carrying firearms in town, and much more over the next few weeks. Starting tonight, Brookline’s 255 Town Meeting members will gather to hash out decisions on the 26 items before them. It is the first time they are meeting in person… Continue reading Town Meeting preview: Pierce, guns and ranked choice voting