Housing Headlines

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.

BOSTON --- Speaking with reporters after winning a second term, Governor Charlie Baker said the high cost and shortage of housing is the most serious long-term hurdle to continued economic growth" and he expressed hope that lawmakers would revisit his Housing Choice legislation, which, which would allow town governing bodies to change zoning with a simple majority vote rather than the current requirement of two-thirds majority.

LOWELL --- In the wake of concerns of overcrowding, fire safety and excessive street parking in neighborhoods near UMass Lowell, city officials have crafted draft amendments to the rental property ordinance, which would place a limit on the number of students in each bedroom per unit.

BOSTON --- Roxbury residents jammed a City Council hearing Tuesday night to voice their concerns over rising rents and evictions that are forcing many to pay more or move out. Residents testified that rapid growth has hit Roxbury hard, a sentiment bolstered by a recent city study which found Roxbury housing prices have jumped 70 percent between 2010 and 2015.

LYNN --- At a Rotary Club luncheon, the state's housing and economic development secretary said the Baker Administration has been hyper-focused on Lynn, noting that five percent of the $8.5 million in MassWorks infrastructure grants made the past two years have gone to the city.