January
17
2019
MASHPEE --- Dormant for years for several years, the Mashpee Affordable Housing Trust seems rejuvenated thanks to three potential sites for housing and a decision by the town to fund the trust with $300,000 in Community Preservation Act funds.
January
17
2019
FRAMINGHAM --- City officials are putting finishing touches on a zoning proposal that would allow a mix of commercial and residential development in the Nobscot section of town and the Nobscot Shopping Center, a once-thriving strip mall that has seen its occupancy dwindle in recent years.
January
17
2019
EASTHAMPTON --- Data showing that residents over the age of 60 will make up more than a third of Easthampton's population by 2035 has advocates and city officials worrying about seniors keeping up with the cost of living, especially housing. “We’re coming to a point where we will need more affordable housing,” said Brendan Rogers, director of the Council on Aging. “We are better off than some other communities, but in another 10 years, I don’t imagine state housing holding up.”
January
16
2019
SOUTH DENNIS --- Despite resident concerns about water pollution and public safety, the Dennis Zoning Board of Appeals has approved a Ch. 40B comprehensive land use permit for Maritime Landing, a 28-unit condo project on Route 6A. To be developed by Mark Smith, Maritime Landing will offer 21 market-rate condos priced between $544,000 and $569,000 and seven affordable condos between $192,000 and $215,000.
January
16
2019
HAMILTON --- After failing to convince the town to tie in its desire to develop a small site on Willow Street with another development on a larger site, Harborlight Community Partners' (HCP) has informed the town that it will not be able to move forward with the Willow Street site on its own due to an inability to secure funding. HCP was the lone respondent to a request for proposals on the Willow Street site in 2017.
January
16
2019
PEABODY --- A proposal by owner William Skouras to convert the former Peabody Coffee House into eight efficiency units for low-income and homeless was voted down by City Council by one vote. Although the council voted in favor of the plan 7-4, Skouras needed eight votes or a two-thirds super majority to get the special zoning permit.