Town of Arlington, Fair Housing Action Plan (July 2021)

Citation: Town of Arlington, Fair Housing Action Plan (July 2021)
Jurisdiction: Arlington (municipal)
Source: Official source
Original Source: https://www.arlingtonma.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/57214/637641171662530000 ↗

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Policy-based Opposition
Some members of the Arlington community have organized against policies that impact housing. For instance, a
statewide effort, led by an Arlington Heights resident, fought to overturn Chapter 40B entirely in both 2007 and
2009.52 More recently and impactfully, residents have opposed local zoning petitions to increase the allowable
density of mixed-use, multifamily, and townhouse development. In 2018 and 2019, the Town began taking steps
to expand opportunities for residential development along the Town’s commercial corridors, particularly by
allowing greater built densities by-right along Massachusetts Avenue and other thoroughfares.53 Opposition to
these measures coalesced into an organized community group, which effectively organized public comment at
hearings, Arlington Redevelopment Board meetings, and Town Meeting.54 The nature of the opposition mirrored
the concerns raised for specific projects, including complaints about the impacts on light and shadows, the tree
canopy, traffic, and parking. Some questioned whether any of the housing would be truly affordable and stated