Doug Troyer Co-author of Banker & Tradesman Article: “Three Small Housing Reforms with Outsized Potential in Massachusetts
Excerpted from an 8/24/2025 article in Banker & Tradesman
In an effort to address the ongoing housing crisis in Massachusetts, Pierce Atwood real estate attorney Douglas Troyer co-authored draft amendments to the commonwealth’s Zoning Act, General Law Chapter 40A, which governs municipal zoning in every city and town except Boston.
The proposed amendments — now House Bill 2307 and sponsored by Rep. Brian Murray of Milford — is now being considered by the Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government. The Bill focused on three areas most in need of streamlining:
- Make zoning litigation faster and less expensive.
- Create a “shot clock” on municipal zoning decision-making.
- Relax the standard for securing a zoning variance to allow municipalities flexibility to allow greater density where and when appropriate, noting the importance of allowing municipalities to consider the benefits, not just the detriments of a proposed project.
Please visit Banker & Tradesman for more details on these proposed procedural changes.
Doug Troyer focuses his practice on real estate development and permitting, and administrative and land use litigation. He represents developers, retailers, restaurants, and individual owners in obtaining local and state permits for various types of development projects, and represents individuals, condominium associations, developers, and multinational corporations in land use disputes involving small parcels and huge tracts.