Housing Headlines

ARLINGTON --- The town of Arlington has hired a firm to represent them in their opposition to a 219-unit Ch. 40B housing development being proposed for land in East Arlington owned by the Mugar family.

WRENTHAM --- Town officials are gearing up to hear details about four large affordable housing development proposals, three of which are expected to rental developments of over 200 units. The fourth proposal - a plan for the former Crosby Valve site near downtown - is in the early stages, selectmen say.

METHUEN --- After previously waiving its rural zoning exemptions to allow 250 units of senior housing, the City of Methuen has indicated that a developer's plan to use Ch. 40B to build 123 homes for families does not fit the city's overall development plan and is inappropriate for the rural part of town for which it is proposed.

SALEM --- A Danvers-based builder who has done approximately 20 home construction and renovation projects in Salem has an agreement to buy a former plumbing supply building on Bridge St., knock it down and construct four 1,500-square foot starter homes.

NORWELL --- The local housing trust's plans to turn the old police station into 14 units of affordable housing hinges on the May 4 town meeting, where residents will vote on whether to transfer the building to the trust, the American Legion or to put the property up for sale.

NEWTON --- In a March feature for Boston Magazine, reporter and Newton resident Lauren Gibbons Paul goes in depth on how a plan to turn an old firehouse into housing for the homeless turned neighbor against neighbor, and ultimately resulted in the city lifting a restriction so the property could be developed into luxury condos.