Are there any regulations for new building developers??

Question

I lived in the same neighborhood for past 25 years and lately, there has been many new developments, new buildings, etc. which I welcome but to put a 12 story building on a street with low rise 5-6 stories old apt buildings is just very unsightly and just doesn't fit in. It totally ruins the entire neighborhood outlook. Orchard Street is what I consider a landmark, the early settlement of Jewish emigrants, then Chinese, etc, and filled with rich histories. There are still historic guided tours throughout this lower east side area which should be kept sacred. How do we stop these money hunger developers whose only interest is to make most profit by selling each unit for over 1 million dollars that the general public cannot afford?? and in the process, destroying the neighborhood and causing enviornmental problems without a second thought? Are there agencies that can regulate or stop them? that we can file compliants with someone who actually cares and can do something??

Answer 1

You would have to go to your town or city hall and see what the zoning regulations are.  The limits to what can be built and how much land any given building must be sitting on are regulated town by town, city by city.  Check with your planning board to see what their laws and statutes are if any.  You may be surprised to discover there are very few limitations to what type of building can go up and how many can be placed.  If there are very few regulations then petition your selectmen to change this.  You will need to get a notarized petition with a minimum number of signatures from people who live in the same town or city as you.  Check at your town or city hall, as all of the answers are there.