Planning Board to Hold MBTA Communities Act Public Hearing on Sept. 23

The Town of Nahant invites residents to attend a hybrid public hearing on Sept. 23 to discuss proposed zoning changes to bring the Town into compliance with the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Communities Act.

The Act requires municipalities such as Nahant to create at least one zoning overlay district where multi-family housing is permitted as of right. Nahant qualifies as an “Adjacent Small Town” under the Act and the deadline for compliance with the law is Dec. 31, 2025.

The meeting begins at 7 p.m. in Town Hall.

The Planning Board has been actively working to develop zoning regulations in compliance with the Act. It is proposing the creation of a Multi-Family Overlay District within the Town Bylaws. The overlay district does not require that housing be built, nor does it restrict the Board’s current site plan review process.

The hearing will include ample time for questions and comments from the public. Residents who wish to share comments to be read during the hearing are asked to email Planning Board Chair Sheila Hambleton at planningchair@nahant.org.

Voters will be asked to approve an article to create the Overlay District at a Special Town Meeting in November.

More information about the MBTA Communities Act and the Town’s efforts can be found here.

Connecting via Zoom

Visit: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86537248810?pwd=3pOIRIaT3Sixot6eNGmqvbGPXQI6Xz.1
Meeting ID: 865 3724 8810
Passcode: 490462