Housing Headlines

WEYMOUTH --- Developer Ken Ryder's latest attempt to develop 10 acres near two train stops was called "capricious and inappropriate" by Matthew Tallon, president of the local neighborhood group called the Idlewell Education Assocation. Having previously proposed to turn five vacant parcels into 14 single-family lots, Ryder is proposing this time to apply to the town for a Ch. 40B comprehensive land permit so he can build 67 two- and three-bedroom mixed-income townhouses.

Boston Globe columnist Shirley Leung makes an impassioned plea for Gov. Baker's Housing Choice legislation, arguing that "when the T breaks down, we can watch the agony unfold on social media (but) we don’t see it when people can’t afford the rent ... "

CHELSEA --- The City Council passed an order calling for a home rule petition that would give the council the option to hand over properties seized for nonpayment of taxes to the city's affordable housing trust. The measure now needs to be approved in the state legislature. Currently, the city is required to offer up any properties taken for the nonpayment of taxes at auction to the highest bidder. The council would maintain that option.

RANDOLPH --- Gov. Baker, his veterans' secretary Francisco Urena and other state and local leaders gathered recently to break ground on 10 permanent apartments for veterans. The housing will be owned and operated by Father Bill's and Main Spring, with support from the state and Envision Bank, which is supporting the acquisition and construction of the project. “We’re a small bank. We can’t cure the ills of the world but we can take a small piece,” said Jim McDonough, the president and CEO of Envision Bank.

SALEM --- Salem's bid to put an accessory dwelling ordinance is still alive as the City Council voted 8-3 to keep the discussion alive, sending the law back to the Ordinance Committee for further review and a possible final vote at the Oct. 24 City Council meeting. A two-thirds majority is needed to pass the bylaw.

NORTH READING --- In case you missed it, the Zoning Board of Appeals voted unanimously in late August to invoke a "safe harbor" provision in the state's affordable housing law, claiming it can deny a Ch. 40B land use permit application because more than 1.5 percent of its land area is being used for affordable housing. The claim, if upheld by the state, would allow the town to reject NY Ventures' proposal to build 200 apartments at 20 Elm St.