This article is shared from the Swampscott Tides. Attorney Gerry D’Ambrosio, counsel for the Glover Residences project, presented revised plans for the 140-unit development to the Swampscott Planning Board on Monday, confirming that the historic Glover House will be preserved. “The goal with the Glover House is to integrate it within the development,” D’Ambrosio said. “They are not going to

In brief Gov. Maura Healey signed budget bill changes to G.L.c. 40A that replaced the “substantial hardship” variance standard with a lower “practical difficulty” threshold Zoning boards must now weigh housing production benefits against neighborhood impacts, and applicants can request residential use variances previously barred by many local bylaws The reforms, championed by REBA over an 18-month process, were drafted

Whether buying, selling, or investing in a business, every transaction carries some level of risk. Deal insurance is designed to help manage a variety of potential risks, allowing transactions to move forward more smoothly with greater certainty and ease. Deal Insurance compliments due diligence, by transferring certain identified or contingent risks to an insurer. Policies can be tailored to the

A proposed Massachusetts ballot initiative that would have allowed rent control measures to return to the Commonwealth will not appear before voters this fall after the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled that the proposal was unconstitutional. The Court’s decision centered on a provision that would have treated certain properties differently based on religious affiliation. According to the ruling, that distinction

The City of Boston has approved a new zoning framework for Chinatown after years of planning and community discussion. The changes are intended to guide future development while preserving the neighborhood's historic character and supporting local businesses. Among the updates are new district boundaries and revised development standards for different areas of Chinatown. The regulations place a greater emphasis on

Governor Maura Healey proposes new economic development legislation for Massachusetts, “Mass Winning Global Investment, Talent, and Innovation Act.” The new legislation is designed to strengthen the Commonwealth’s competitiveness. The act seeks to attract investment, support workforce development, and encourage business growth, aiming to position Massachusetts as a leader in emerging industries. The proposed bill includes approximately $305 million in capital

Recent changes under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) may provide significant tax benefits for manufacturers and other capital-intensive businesses. The legislation modifies the limitations on business interest deductions, allowing certain companies to deduct a greater portion of financing costs associated with growth and expansion. Collectively, these provisions aimed to encourage domestic investment, expand production capacity, and support research

Developer HYM Investment Group plans to move forward later this year with the next phase of the Suffolk Downs redevelopment, including a new apartment building and a 160-room hotel. The project remains one of the largest mixed-use developments in Greater Boston and continues to advance despite ongoing challenges in the commercial real estate market. Development activity at Suffolk Downs has

The MBTA has announced that its full transportation plan for the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be released on June 11, just two days before the first match at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough. While details are still being finalized, the agency has already begun implementing several improvements to prepare for the influx of visitors expected during the tournament. Planned upgrades

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey has issued an executive order mandating the procurement of 10 gigawatts of new energy resources by 2035, utilizing an “all-of-the-above approach” that includes solar, wind, gas, nuclear, and storage. The order builds on Healey’s original goal in her 2024 climate act, which called for up to five gigawatts of new energy storage by 2030, increasing the mandate

A plan to create a 24-bed housing and treatment program shows the difficulties of combating homelessness in the face of stern neighborhood opposition. While Mass. and Cass is a case study in the difficulties addressing homelessness, mental illness, and addiction, the similarly thorny question of what to do about homelessness bedevils cities that surround BostonDavid L. Ryan/Globe Staff At the

The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Tyler v. Hennepin County (https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/22pdf/22-166_8n59.pdf) is sure to change the way Massachusetts cities and towns handle municipal tax liens. But exactly how will take some time to unspool, say those who have long been on opposite sides of what some consider “home equity theft.” At the crux of the Ty/er decision is a pronouncement

A close reading of the Supreme Judicial Court’s decision that upheld both the constitutionality of the MBTA Communities Act and the attorney general’s power to enforce it may hold even better news for housing advocates than it first appeared, according to Boston zoning attorney Gerry D’Ambrosio. Start with the official acknowledgement of the state’s “ongoing housing crisis” in the first