3A Compliance
How Mansfield Took a Complex State Mandate and Turned It Into a Local Opportunity
When the Town of Mansfield joined the MBTA Communities Early Adopters Program in 2022, they had a head start. Their existing zoning around the train station—specifically the Mansfield Station Revitalization Overlay District (MSROD)—already embraced many of the principles behind Massachusetts’ Section 3A zoning law.
But as anyone in municipal planning knows, early action doesn’t always guarantee smooth sailing.
By 2023, Mansfield was in their second round of compliance modeling. They were navigating new technical guidance, ten overlapping subdistricts, and a noncontiguous zoning plan—all while aiming to meet the state’s requirement to zone for 1,392 multifamily units in at least 50 acres near the station.
That’s where JM Goldson came in.
Working alongside Mansfield’s planning team, we dove into the details. We didn’t just run models—we collaborated to make sense of what was possible, what aligned with past station area planning efforts, and what would truly work for the community.
Our team, led by project manager Laura Smead, helped Mansfield test different zoning scenarios and land use configurations. The result? A compliance plan that not only met the state’s multifamily zoning capacity and acreage thresholds—but one that doubled the required land area near the station.
This wasn’t just about checking a box. It was about carrying forward Mansfield’s vision for revitalization and smart growth—while ensuring local control and clarity in the face of evolving state policy.
For us, it was another reminder: compliance can be a catalyst. When local values and state mandates align, real progress is possible.
