Is Holden required to zone for high-rise multi-family buildings?

Absolutely not! There is no mandate to zone for high-rise buildings. The law requires towns and cities to have a minimum density of 15 homes per acre which is comprised of “missing middle housing.” This type of housing includes triple deckers, fourplexes, and small apartment buildings.

The density requirements under the law are in alignment with the multi-family housing already present in Holden.

Towns have flexibility and control over the density of the MBTA Communities Law zone and can spread out density requirements over a larger area.

For example, all of the following buildings are compliant with the 3A density requirements for Holden (https://residensity.mhp.net/):