On June 15, 2021, the state of emergency enacted by Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker on March 10, 2020 expired. During the state of emergency, state and local permits were extended and certain provisions of the Open...more
On May 17, 2021, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker announced that the state of emergency declared on March 10, 2020 will likely end on June 15, 2021. Both state and local permits were extended while the state of emergency...more
Year after year, the Massachusetts Legislature considers bills to change General Laws Chapter 40A, or the Massachusetts Zoning Act. Many prior changes were fairly minor, but on January 14, 2021, Governor Charlie Baker signed...more
On November 10, 2020, Governor Charlie Baker signed legislation that now requires most municipal boards and commissions to move forward on permit applications by December 1, 2020 unless the secretary of housing and economic...more
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit recently vacated an air permit issued by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) for the construction of a new compressor station proposed by Algonquin...more
6/12/2020
/ Air Pollution ,
Department of Environmental Protection ,
Energy Projects ,
Infrastructure ,
Natural Gas ,
Oil & Gas ,
Permits ,
Pipelines ,
State and Local Government ,
Supply Shortages ,
Vacated
Supreme Judicial Court Issues Order Signaling End of Deadline and Statute of Limitations Extensions -
On May 26, 2020, the Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) issued an order further staying certain hearings and trials and limiting...more
GOVERNOR BAKER EXTENDS ORDER REGARDING BUSINESSES AND GATHERINGS -
On April 28, 2020, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker extended his previous order disallowing many businesses to have employees in brick-and-mortar...more
In a noteworthy decision yesterday, the Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) reaffirmed that the exemption in the state’s Zoning Act, M.G.L. c. 40A, for uses deemed to be “for educational purposes,” is construed very broadly. That...more
9/24/2019
/ Educational Institutions ,
Exemptions ,
Health Care Providers ,
Inpatient Rehab Facilities ,
Local Ordinance ,
Psychiatric Hospitals ,
Real Estate Development ,
Regulatory Standards ,
Religious Schools ,
State and Local Government ,
Urban Planning & Development ,
Zoning Laws
Two bills pending at the Massachusetts State House would amend the state Zoning Act, known as Chapter 40A, which governs zoning in every Massachusetts city and town except Boston. The Zoning Act is seldom amended, even though...more
8/26/2019
/ Appeals ,
Construction Project ,
Evidentiary Hearings ,
Infrastructure ,
Legislative Agendas ,
Pending Legislation ,
Real Estate Development ,
Standing ,
State and Local Government ,
Urban Planning & Development ,
Zoning Laws
As municipalities assert more control over development, zoning bylaws become more complex. And as mechanics, programmers, and lawyers all know, when there are many parts, there are many more opportunities for things to go...more
Lawsuits to recover cleanup costs and property damages resulting from environmental contamination can be expensive and time-consuming. Plaintiffs should be sure their claims are timely before embarking on the litigation...more