Housing Headlines

FRAMINGHAM --- To remedy a legal conflict created by the city's over-55 housing rules, Brendon Properties will make a cash payment to the city in lieu of providing six affordable units in its redevelopment of the former Marist property into 60 age-restricted homes. The legal conflict stems from that the fact that the state does not count units as affordable if they exclude children.

CANTON --- The Canton Town Planner and MHP's Shelly Goehring made a presentation to selectmen in December, explaining the benefits of having an affordable housing trust to enhance the town's ability to create and preserve affordable housing. Canton Town Planner Laura Smead plans to do similar outreach to the housing authority and the Canton Community Preservation Committee, which oversees funds that could help fund the trust.

NANTUCKET --- In reaction to stories like the nurse who has lived in eight expensive or makeshift apartments since coming to the island to work three years ago, Nantucket College Hospital is hoping to get approval to turn one of its buildings into 83 units of housing for staff.

BOSTON --- In the latest indication of the development interest for Roxbury's Dudley Square, Yawu Miller of the Bay State Banner reports that a "slew of developers" have submitted 13 proposals for four city parcels that are currently being used as parking lots, including a former police sub-station site. The sites could potentially yield the neighborhood commercial development, parking and up to 360 units of housing.

STERLING --- Residents in the Chace Hill Road area are taking a strong stand against a plan to build 16 mixed-income homes on a former 12.5-acre site, saying the new homes would add municipal costs and urging the town to buy the property to prevent its development.

BOSTON --- South Boston residents aren't too happy about a plan by Redgate Capital Partners and Hilco Redevelopment to turn the old Edison power plant into 1,300 condominiums, submitting a letter to Boston's planning authority that was signed by 1,000 residents. City Councilor Ed Flynn summed up the neighborhood's feelings, saying residents want to see more housing for families and seniors, not rich out-of-towners.