Development review in the city of Boston is currently a lengthy and unpredictable process. Additionally, when paired with an outdated and broken zoning code, it actively creates barriers for a more abundant city.
Article 80 of the Boston Zoning Code, which sets guidelines for larger development projects across the city, has not been updated since 1996. The Article 80 Modernization process is the Planning Department’s effort to update the developmental review process into a process that is transparent, accessible and predictable.
We applaud the Mayor and the City of Boston”s Planning Department for starting a comprehensive effort on modernizing the Article 80 process within the Zoning Code. By modernizing this process, we are hopeful that development in Boston will be transparent, accessible and predictable, while also creating much-needed new homes for current and future residents.