Katherine Garrahan Quoted in Banker & Tradesman on the Future of 40B Developments in Massachusetts

September 10, 2025

A new round of multifamily housing proposals would add hundreds of units apiece to sites in Waltham, Brookline and Plymouth under Chapter 40B, the Massachusetts state law that gives developers an opportunity to override single-family zoning in communities that have less than 10 percent subsidized housing. While more than 70,000 housing units have been built under Chapter 40B since the law was enacted in 1969, it also leaves developers open to appeals and lawsuits that can delay projects for years. Katherine Garrahan spoke with Banker & Tradesman about the issues developers can encounter.

“The 40B developers have to be a sturdy bunch,” said Katherine. “If you’re a local developer, it’s surprisingly hard to do, even though you get the zoning relief that 40B gives you.”

Continue reading “40B Developers Take the Long View” on the Banker & Tradesman website.