A bill to relax a 20-year-old Massachusetts law restricting shadows cast by tall buildings on the Boston Common and the Public Garden was approved by a key State House committee on July 12, according to the committee's co-chair, Sen. Michael O. Moore (D).
"After careful consideration, the Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government has advanced the home rule petition filed on behalf of the City of Boston after having received local approval from the city council and the mayor," Moore said in a statement. "Last month's public hearing provided an opportunity for committee members to hear testimony, and to gain a better understanding about the request for an exemption. The legislation will now move forward to the next step in the legislative process."