Housing Headlines

GREENFIELD --- Nine days after reporting on "several" homeless people living on the cty's Common, the Greenfield Recorder is now reporting that the number of homeless has jumped to 20, an issue that has public officials grappling about what to do as they balance complaints from residents with the fact that right of assembly is specifically allowed on the Common as long as they are not in violation of any ordinance or law, and that they remain clean and orderly.

HOPEDALE --- The $50 million urban renewal plan for the Draper Corporation site continues to be controersial, with town officials saying they did not leave a key property owner out of the talks while the property owner - Philip Shwachman - has hired Ted Carman, the development consultant who helped craft the 2007 Draper reuse study.

QUINCY --- Neighbors are looking for specifics about FoxRock Properties' plan to turn the former 14.9 acre Quincy Medical Center property into almost 600 units of housing. At a recent community meeting, FoxRock's Jason Ward said the company is talking with the city and hopes to file a master plan with the planning board by Labor Day.

QUINCY --- The Watson, a 140-unit Quincy Point apartment building set to open this fall, has attracted over 950 applications for the 114 affordable apartments, with a lottery set to be held soon as to which of the 389 income-eligible applicants will get to move in.

MILTON --- Despite revising its plan to include more office space and reduce the number of apartments from 64 to 58, town elected officials are still voicing concern about the impact of Falconi Cos. proposed development for East Milton Square. The developer is hoping to propose zoning changes at a special town meeting next year, but also has the option of bypassing town zoning by seeking a Ch. 40B comprehensive land use permit.

BOSTON --- Chinatown’s housing crisis will see some relief, after the Boston Planning and Development Agency board approved 536 units of housing at its July 12 meeting. Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association of New England (CCBA) president Paul Chan said, “The work has just begun for CCBA. Let’s keep ploughing ahead, for our community and for those in need.”