Marblehead Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer told the Current Wednesday night that the MBTA Communities Act will likely be back on the warrant (agenda) at Town Meeting in May 2026.
“With the Secretary of Housing and Livable Communities confirming that no MBTA Communities (§3A) exemptions will be granted, Marblehead is moving forward on a compliance path,” Kezer wrote in an email. “The Planning Board, working with our Community Development & Planning Department, will review the prior zoning proposal and alternatives and determine whether to refile the original plan, submit a modified version or develop a new plan. Our goal is to place a warrant article on the May 2026 Annual Town Meeting.”
Kezer added: “We have requested state technical assistance and have been assured that a state-contracted consultant will support mapping, unit-capacity calculations and compliance review… The process will include robust public outreach similar to two years ago, and meeting dates and materials will be posted by Community Development & Planning as the schedule is finalized.”
Select Board Chair Dan Fox confirmed that the town will be working with a second consultant.
“We don’t have a meeting set yet,” he said.
Fox received a letter from Massachusetts Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Edward Augustus earlier this month, denying Marblehead an exemption from the MBTA Communities Act.
The letter is dated Sept. 11 and reads, “The MBTA Communities Law is a critical tool to address the dire need for the Commonwealth to add at least 222,000 new homes over the next 10 years. EOHLC is committed to collaborating with municipalities like Marblehead that have been unable to adopt the required as-of-right multi-family zoning. But there are no exceptions or exemptions from the MBTA Communities Law, and EOHLC does not offer exceptions or exemptions.”
The letter continues: “We remain willing to work with you to ensure that Marblehead can achieve compliance,” and urges the town to seek assistance from an MBTA Communities Compliance coordinator.
In a special referendum in July, Marblehead voters rejected the town’s proposal to comply with 3A. The plan identified three areas for multifamily zoning, including Tioga Way, a part of Pleasant Street and Broughton Road. It would have added the possibility of 600 units in these areas.
This is a developing story. Stay with the Current.
