HADLEY — During its April 4 meeting, the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission spoke of the possible benefits of Hadley’s Planning Board creating a chapter 40R overlay district.

Chapter 40R, a Massachusetts law approved in 2004, strives to increase the supply of housing, especially affordable housing, by increasing the land zoned for dense housing.

Karen Martin, a senior planner with PVPC, explained that chapter 40R is an overlay zoning district that municipalities create that is geared toward “smart growth.” The act does have some requirements around infrastructure, minimum density and minimum affordability. The town would need to approve it and then the state would need to approve it. There is a financial incentive that comes from the state for creating the district and per unit. This money has no restrictions on what it can be used for.

“The idea is that the communities have a little more control over this,” explained Martin.

Throughout Massachusetts, many communities have started the process of creating this district and several already have them established. Northampton currently has two Chapter 40R overlay districts.
The Planning Board expressed interest in the act’s benefits, and several members also wanted to move forward cautiously and make sure that these districts fit in with the goals of the town.

“Hadley is agricultural, said member Joseph Zgrodnik. “I think we have a responsibility to feed people.”

William Dwyer, clerk of the Planning Board, noted that if this could be done on already developed land by adapting the use of existing sites, then there could be a great benefit to the town, especially since new retail business seems to be decreasing.

Martin noted that the law probably cannot be applied to a single parcel of land. The zone would also require 20 percent affordable housing at 80% of the area median income and 25 percent affordable housing if the zone were age-restricted, such as only being for residents 55 or older.