Overview
- Marblehead Town Meeting approved the zoning plan Monday in an 881–82 vote to comply with the MBTA Communities Act, and the measure now heads to state review.
- The map concentrates most new multifamily zoning on the private Tedesco Country Club and adds a small Broughton Road area with strict height and setback limits, which makes new building unlikely.
- The law requires MBTA communities to allow multifamily housing without special permits, and Marblehead must zone land with capacity for 897 homes even though the golf course owner has no duty to sell or build.
- A clip of resident David Modica challenging the plan went viral after a housing advocate posted it on X, drawing millions of views and casting fresh attention on the town’s approach.
- Attorney General Andrea Campbell has sued noncompliant towns and Marblehead has already missed out on state grants, including a cited $2.8 million denial, increasing pressure for a plan that passes state scrutiny.