Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey on Tuesday announced a plan to speed up housing development by cutting environmental regulations.
The proposal would create a shorter environmental review process for a dense housing projects. To qualify, the developments would have to meet certain conditions, including limitations on traffic, size and floodplain development. And they would have to meet the state’s strictest energy efficiency standards.
The proposed changes also would relax some permitting reviews for single-family homes near wetlands. And it would shorten the process for some ecological restoration projects, such as partial dam removals, as well as urban renewal plans without individual project proposals.
Healey, a Democrat, said her proposal would slash the time needed to get some housing permits to about 30 days, compared with the current process that can take over a year.
