What type of residential zoning is created to expedite approval for affordable housing projects?

The correct choice is the 40B zoning, which refers to Chapter 40B of the Massachusetts General Laws. This legislation was established to facilitate the development of affordable housing in areas that may otherwise be resistant to it due to restrictive local zoning bylaws. The primary goal of 40B is to address the state's housing crisis by allowing developers to bypass certain local zoning restrictions if they include a percentage of affordable units in their projects.

By streamlining the approval process for these projects, 40B encourages the creation of more affordable housing options, particularly in communities that are not meeting the state’s affordable housing production goals. This creates an incentive for developers to invest in these projects, ultimately benefiting the community by increasing the availability of affordable housing.

Other choices like conforming use relate to the use of properties that align with the zoning laws in place but do not specifically aim to expedite affordable housing projects. A variance allows a property owner to deviate from current zoning regulations but typically applies to individual properties rather than large-scale affordable housing initiatives. Special permits are required for specific types of developments that might not be allowed under current zoning regulations but, again, do not have the same expedited focus on affordable housing as the 40B law.