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June 25, 2017 I Volume 11 I Issue 12 Zoning Bulletin <br />government from implementing affordable housing mandates under a <br />policy known as inclusionary zoning." The bill aims to remove <br />mandates and "instead encourages voluntary negotiations between <br />developers and cities to create affordable housing in exchange for incen- <br />tives such as tax breaks or zoning variances." Advocates of inclusionary <br />zoning —and opponents of the bill —insist the policy is an essential tool <br />to getting more workforce housing into the core neighborhoods of New <br />Orleans with access to public transportation and neighborhood <br />services." Critics of inclusionary zoning —and proponents of the bill — <br />argue that the inclusionary zoning policy "has failed to create wide- <br />spread change in other cities and could . . . reduc[e] housing supply <br />and driv[e]up rents." <br />Source: The Tunes -Picayune; www.nola.com <br />MASSACHUSETTS <br />The Massachusetts' Legislature is considering House Bill 3214, "An <br />act relative to methadone clinic zoning." Under Massachusetts' "Dover <br />Amendment" (MGL c. 40A, § 3), zoning exemptions are made for <br />"certain service -producing facilities" on an "agricultural, religion, or <br />non-profit educational basis." The bill would address the Dover Amend- <br />ment exceptions and allow communities to control the zoning of <br />methadone clinics. It would require methadone clinics to adhere to the <br />same 500-foot buffer zone from "any facility in which children com- <br />monly congregate" and allows for local communities to set their own <br />zoning by-laws as well. <br />Source: The Millbury -Sutton Chronicle; www.millburvsutton.coin <br />NEW HAMPSHIRE <br />Effective June 1, a new state law requires communities allow in-law <br />apartments and other accessory dwelling units in all single-family zoned <br />areas and "cannot restrict size to anything less than 750 square feet." <br />Proponents of the new law argue it will "help increase the availability <br />of affordable housing while also helping the state's rapidly aging <br />population remain at home with live-in help." Opponents of the law say <br />municipalities should be allowed to decide their own zoning regulations. <br />Local communities have or may adopt their own amendments to meet <br />the requirements of the new law, and may add some restrictions such as: <br />requiring either the main home or new unit to be owner -occupied; ensur- <br />ing new units have adequate septic, sewer, and water available; and <br />mandating sufficient parking be available to accommodate the new unit. <br />Source: New Hampshire Union Leader; www.unionleaderconi <br />12 @ 2017 Thomson Reuters <br />