Housing Headlines

BOSTON --- Terrific, thorough, uplifting feature by WGBH's K. Sophie Will on the inspirational story of Darrin Griffin and the two programs that helped him - the Human Services Employment Ladder Program at Goodwill and the Massachusetts Housing & Shelter Alliance's Hospital to Housing Shelter Program, which looks to insert community health workers into the homeless community

SOUTH DENNIS --- In hearings with the Zoning Board of Appeals, neighbors continue to question the impact of the proposed Maritime Landing development on the local water supply. Developer Mark Smith of Cape View Development is seeking a Ch. 40B comprehensive permit from the town to build 28 condominiums, seven of which would be affordable. Some residents and officials are pleased with the way Smith has adjusted his design in response to feedback.

HOPEDALE --- Draper factory complex owner Philip Shwachman is suing the town, a local developer and a railroad company for conspiring to seize the property without compensation. Filed just before Thanksgiving, the suit names 18 defendants, from individual selectmen, to the Housing Authority, to Milford-based developer Lobisser Building Corp., to leadership within the Grafton & Upton Railroad. The town's Urban Renewal Plan hinges on re-purposing the 77-acre site and the million square feet of mill space into a mixed-use development with up to 500 units of housing.

CHELSEA --- The development team of Traggorth Properties and The Neighborhood Developers have announced theuir plan to appeal the Zoning Board of Appeals' denial of their plan to build 42 mixed-income apartments on a vacant lot at the corner of Broadway annd Clinton Street. The ZBA denied the plan in October, expressing a preference for homeownership even though the developers had made several concessions such as lowering the height of the building and adding market rate units. The appeal will be heard in Suffolk Superior Court.

BRAINTREE --- At a recent informational forum, reaction to the town's first zoning overhaul since 1970 was mostly negative, with residents saying the draft is geared toward developers and not focused on enhancing the quality of life of current residents. "This This is not where we want to go. We want to keep what we have,” said one resident.

LEXINGTON --- After failing by four votes to get the necessary two-thirds majority, National Development offered additional concessions, came back the next night and won Town Meeting approval by 128-26, clearing the way for the Newton-based company to move forward with its plans to build two senior living residences on Watertown Street just south of Route 2. The plan calls for 48 memory care units, 40 assisted living units and 116 independent living units. The concessions included offering four independent and two memory care units for moderate-income seniors between 100 and 150 percent of area median income.