Boston, August 19, 2025 — A diverse coalition of Massachusetts residents from Manchester, Gloucester, Winthrop, Hamilton, Lynn, Halifax, Boxford, Rowley, Newton, North Reading, Billerica, Ipswich, Milton, Duxbury, Wilmington, Westminster, Malden, and Rockport is rallying to challenge the state’s MBTA Communities Act (Section 3A). This law mandates multifamily zoning in 177 communities, often overriding local control and fueling concerns about overdevelopment. Now, you have a chance to fight back and restore zoning sovereignty to our towns and cities.

The Fight Against 3A

On August 6, 2025, the coalition submitted four Initiative Petitions (25-32 to 25-35) to the Attorney General’s Office to dismantle or limit the impact of Section 3A. These petitions, currently under review and expected to be certified by early September, aim to:

• Repeal MBTA Zoning (25-32): Completely nullify Section 3A and any existing 3A zones.
• Preserve Local Control (25-33): Prohibit state interference in local zoning (except Chapter 40B) and repeal conflicting laws.
• Prevent Overdevelopment (25-34): Limit state-mandated density to 5 units per acre and require special permits for developments exceeding 10 units per acre.
• Reform the Zoning Process (25-35): Mandate a 2/3 majority for zoning changes, a 21-day gap between public hearings and adoption, written reports from planning boards, and a 3-year wait before reintroducing defeated zoning proposals unless approved by special election.

These petitions represent a united, non-partisan effort by Democrats, Republicans, and Independents to ensure that zoning decisions reflect the will of local communities, not state mandates.

Why This Matters

The MBTA Communities Act, part of Massachusetts’ response to the housing crisis, requires towns served by or near MBTA transit to zone for multifamily housing, often without sufficient local input. Critics argue it threatens the character of small towns, strains infrastructure, and dismisses community priorities. For example, resistance is growing in places like Rockport and Milton, where residents and officials have voiced concerns about “overreach” and “invasion” of local sovereignty.

The Attorney General’s Office is reviewing these petitions to ensure they meet constitutional requirements, with certification decisions expected by September 3, 2025. If approved, the coalition must collect 74,574 signatures by December 3, 2025, to place these measures on the November 2026 ballot. A second round of 12,429 signatures may be needed by July 2026 if the Legislature does not act.

How You Can Help

This is a statewide group effort, and your participation is crucial. Here’s how you can get involved:

• Sign the Petitions: Once certified in early September, help gather signatures in your community. The coalition is also awaiting a decision within two weeks on whether non-ink internet signatures will be accepted, potentially simplifying the process.
• Volunteer: Become a signature gatherer, recruit others, or assist with logistics like collecting and processing signatures.
• Spread the Word: Share this effort on social media using #ReclaimZoningControl, post notices on platforms like Facebook, or email like-minded residents in your network.
• Innovate: Suggest improvements to the signature-gathering process or organize local events to raise awareness.

“This is about giving Massachusetts residents a voice,” says coalition member Jane Doe from Rockport. “Our towns deserve to decide their own futures, not have zoning dictated by the state.”

Join the Movement

If you’re ready to help, email reclaimzoningma@gmail.com to sign up or learn more. Whether you live in Manchester, Malden, or anywhere in between, your support can tip the scales. The coalition is calling for volunteers across all 177 MBTA communities and beyond to ensure this effort reaches every corner of the Commonwealth.

A United Stand for Local Control

This initiative transcends party lines, uniting residents who believe in local governance and sustainable development. By collecting enough signatures, we can let voters—not bureaucrats—decide the fate of Section 3A in November 2026. Let’s protect our communities from overdevelopment and restore the right to shape our own neighborhoods.

For more information or to submit feedback on the petitions, contact the Attorney General’s Office at ballotquestions@mass.gov or (617) 963-2524. Join us in this historic effort to reclaim zoning sovereignty for Massachusetts.