Housing Headlines

ROCHESTER --- Reasoning that it's better than leaving the town open to a Ch. 40B development proposal, selectmen voted to allow Steen Realty Development to move forward with its plans to work with the state and town on pursuing Ch. 40R zoning so it can build 208 apartments.

IPSWICH --- The Bruni 40B plan for 28-44 Essex Road has been enlarged to include the Bruni property housing the retail stores Zenobia, Dip ‘N’ Clip, Sterling Cleaners and The Equestrian Shop.The new proposal means housing in the mixed-use project has now increased from 184 to 200 rental units. (Note: The developer received a project eligibility letter from MHP, which the developer needs in order to apply to the town for a Ch. 40B comprehensive land use permit).

LAWRENCE --- In its ongoing effort to revitalize the North Canal part of the city, Lawrence Community Works has purchased the 4.8 acre Ultimate Windows site at 20 Island Street and plans to turn it into 80 affordable apartments. The purchase continues LCW's efforts to revitalize this part of the city, coming on the heels of developing two nearby mills into Union Crossing and Duck Mill at Union Crossing.

GRAFTON --- Two Grafton selectmen are asking the town to consider using some of its unused cemetery land for affordable housing. “Thirty or 40 years from now, we might have a crisis where we don’t know where to put people who passed away. But right now, we have living people who cannot afford housing,” said Selectmen Ed Prisby.

TRURO --- The Select Board has chosen Community Housing Resource Inc. (CHR) of Provincetown to develop town-owned land at 22 Highland Road just off Route 6 into 41 mixed-income apartments. CHR had previously developed Sally's Way, a 16-unit affordable housing development near the Truro library. The land for his new project is former state highway site transferred to the town through the Baker Administration's Open for Business Program.

PEABODY --- In response to neighborhood concerns, Hemisphere Development Group LLC says it will reduce the size of its plan to turn the former Thomas Hospital site from 135 age-restricted condos to the low 120s.