Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1546445
wbjournal.com | September 7, 2026 | Worcester Business Journal 7 really aimed at keeping projects and developers in the game and encourag- ing housing production." Legislative rationale Moore said the changes originated with colleagues who filed the provi- sions as budget amendments aer the Legislature's $3-billion housing bond bill did not fully address the state's estimated shortfall of 200,000 homes. e goal is to increase supply and, in turn, ease costs enough to keep younger residents from leaving the state, Moore said. He cautioned that other pressures, including new tariffs affecting lumber imports from Canada, could offset some of the intended cost savings by driving up construction costs. He defended a measured, town-by- town approach to zoning changes over more sweeping proposals, such as a statewide 5,000-square-foot minimum lot size proposed by an upcoming ballot initiative, citing strain on local septic, water, and school infrastruc- ture in some communities. "I am not for 351 cities and towns having the same lot sizes and the same zoning," Moore said. "You have people that have built these communities that move for a certain lifestyle. Every community can't be a high-density community." Additional zoning-related measures remain in play, including a pending provision allowing religious institu- tions to build multifamily housing by right on land they own, and a proposed 90-day deadline for site plan review decisions, Moore said. Both are included in a separate eco- nomic development bill, which could still be passed this year. Lawmakers changed the rules in 2025 so any bill in a conference committee can trigger a return to formal session, which opens the door for other pending legislation to be passed. Smith and Borenstein said further zoning changes are likely, including potential adjustments to parking requirements and minimum lot sizes. Both expect guidance from the Office of the Attorney General and the Executive Office of Housing and Liv- able Communities, as municipalities work through unresolved implemen- tation questions, including whether the new rules apply retroactively to pending applications. Banking solutions custom built for your industry Explore Commercial Banking with Webster Five. Member FDIC | Member DIF Fastest-growing communities for housing Worcester added the most units, with Metrowest communities like Framingham and Marlborough seeing large increases. Municipality Housing units (2023) Housing units (2025) Net change Worcester 85,151 86,573 1,422 Framingham 29,454 30,269 815 Marlborough 17,688 18,416 728 Milford 12,056 12,656 600 Medway 4,862 5,381 519 Shrewsbury 14,939 15,431 492 Westborough 8,368 8,828 460 Acton 9,453 9,838 385 Millis 3,573 3,946 373 Sudbury 6,643 6,996 353 Leominster 18,877 19,220 343 Slowest-growing communities for housing The top 10 Central Mass. communities in housing growth added 6,490 new units between 2023-2025, while the bottom 10 added 68. Municipality Housing units (2023) Housing units (2025) Net change Royalston 663 665 2 Hardwick 1,233 1,236 3 Paxton 1,703 1,707 4 Oakham 763 767 4 Petersham 575 581 6 New Braintree 403 412 9 Hopedale 2,402 2,412 10 Ashby 1,266 1,276 10 Millville 1,193 1,203 10 East Brookfield 1,002 1,012 10 Source: Commonwealth of Massachusetts LAW & ACCOUNTING F O C U S W