MBTA Communities Act:
Special Election: February 13th!
VOTE YES!
Sustainable Milton supports a YES VOTE on February 13th to be compliant with the MBTA Communities Act. The rezoning plans developed in this law will likely reduce Milton’s carbon emissions by building smaller multifamily units, closer to public transportation, and promoting more walkable communities. The rezoning plans will also diversifying our housing stock allowing Milton to be accessible more diverse life stages and economic residents. It will also promote the preservation of green spaces by developing areas that are already developed.
Aside from the benefits outlined below, we expect that failure to comply with the law would be a major setback from a sustainability perspective. If Milton does not comply with the MBTA Communities Act requirements, it will at a minimum lose access to multiple grant programs that have brought millions of dollars of funding for sustainable infrastructure projects in the past, and that are expected to be a major source of funding for critical climate change mitigation efforts going forward. These include the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) grants, the Brownfields Redevelopment Fund, EEA’s Land Use Planning grants, Local Acquisitions for Natural Diversity (LAND) grants, and MassWorks grants. Milton would also likely have to defend itself from lawsuits stemming from non-compliance, which would divert significant resources that are better invested in our communities services and infrastructure.
Sustainable Milton’s mission is to help our community and its leaders reduce waste and create a healthy, vibrant future for all. We believe that we have a shared responsibility to care for our environment and one another. Now is the time to take advantage of an opportunity to shape the future development of our unique town and make it more attractive for businesses, more affordable to a wider range of residents, and promote a more sustainable, livable future.
Please SUPPORT the many hours for research and development that has already gone into these rezoning plans to steer Milton towards a more sustainable and affordable for the future! VOTE YES on February 13 to comply with the mandated MBTA Communities Act.
Reduce Carbon Emission
As of 2022, 98% of Milton’s greenhouse gas emissions come from buildings and transportation. The zoning changes required to comply with the multi-family zoning requirements for MBTA communities should help reduce the carbon emissions generated by both.
Key research by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (huduser.gov) demonstrates how housing development intersects with climate change mitigation and adaptation. It has been shown that dense areas of housing create lower emissions than low-density areas in the same city. Creating transit-oriented development reduces car dependence and emissions.
Walkable Communities
A more relaxed lifestyle and better sidewalk culture for all, creating more opportunities to live within walking distance of transit, bicycle infrastructure, grocery stores and shops. Miltonians could spend less time in their cars, get more exercise, and experience better social and civic engagement in denser neighborhoods, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions from transportation at the same time.
Walkable communities reduce commuter travel and reduce cars on the roads. Every year, Americans take over 22 billion driving trips that are under a mile. Switching even half of these to walking trips would be the equivalent of taking 1 million cars off the road entirely. (EPA, 2023)
Preserve Green, Open Spaces
We will conserve green space, both in Milton and regionally, by redeveloping parcels that are already developed.
In addition to its obvious beauty and lifestyle benefits, our green spaces are a key resource for greenhouse gas sequestration and for resilience against flooding and droughts that will be an increasing consequence of climate change.
