Legislators Propose Community Gardens from Urban Eyesores

Massachusetts legislators are considering a bill that would allow municipalities, particularly those with populations over 50,000 or classified as Gateway Cities, to exempt vacant urban lots from property taxes if they are used as community gardens producing at least $500 worth of food annually. The initiative aims to transform neglected, trash-strewn plots into productive spaces, advancing the state’s Farmland Action Plan to increase food independence and combat hunger. Supporters argue that most of these lots are unsuitable for development and that community gardens would offer residents a chance to grow their own food and connect with the land. While some city officials, like Fitchburg's mayor, generally support community gardens, decisions to opt in to the proposed tax exemption would be made locally if the measure passes.