Source:  Boston.com

Date Published: 09.24.2025

Link: Lexington’s housing boom proves green building policies don’t slow development

This article highlights how Lexington, Massachusetts, is proving that strong environmental policies can go hand in hand with housing growth. Between 2023 and 2025, the town has rezoned and approved more than 1,100 new dwelling units, 160 of which will be affordable, all while enacting some of the state’s most aggressive green building and fossil fuel–free regulations. By pairing zoning reforms under the MBTA Communities Act with high energy-efficiency requirements, Lexington has still managed to accelerate rather than delay new development. The piece also refers to new inclusionary zoning rules requiring 10 to 15 percent of the units in new developments to be affordable, showing how climate action and housing affordability could support each other rather than cutting into each other.