Housing Headlines

KINGSTON --- On Tuesday June 26, Kingston town meeting voters will consider whether to approve a mixed-use zoning overlay district that would allow developers to build a mixture of residential, retail, commercial, entertainment and mixed-use developments off Kingston Collection Way. Approval for the zoning change must be passed by a two-thirds vote.

AMHERST -- Gov. Charlie Baker and other officials were among nearly 100 people who filled a tent and spilled out onto the lawn Thursday afternoon to celebrate the groundbreaking for North Square at the Mill District, a 130-unit housing project that includes 26 affordable homes.

CHARLTON --- In the face of protests from the community regarding the sale of his 94-acre farm to an company that will grow cannabis, Charlton Orchards owner Nathan Benjamin told selectmen that if the board does not uphold its initial approval, he will consider other options, including selling his land to a 40B housing developer.

With housing supply low and prices on the rice, the Massachusetts housing market is under stress, a problem that is being exacerbated by a rise in short-term rentals, especially by commercial entities owning multiple properties.

NEWBURYPORT --- On a site that Mayor Donna Holaday called "a massive junkyard forever," developer Hall and Moskow Corp. gathered with city and state officials on Friday, May 18 to break ground on a seven-building, mixed-income 48-unit first-of-its kind development solar power, homegrown agriculture, shared electric vehicles, secure bicycle storage, charging stations, recycling and composting, among other green techniques. Clean up of the site was supported by a $400,000 loan from MassDevelopment. The project will include some affordable housing as the developer is teaming with the Newburyport YWCA to create a 10-bedroom, single-room occupancy home in one of the buildings.

HAMILTON --- Harborlight Community Partners' repeated attempts to build affordable housing off Longmeadow Way near the regional high school may be facing another legal challenge as owners of abutting land plan have reportedly indicated they will sue if the North Shore nonprofit proceeds with plans to build 40 apartments. The land owners have previously tried to sell their land to Harborlight or the town.