Housing Headlines

MILTON --- After years of discussion about how to redevelop the former Hendries Ice Cream factory site, demolition is expected to begin in April and is expected to take two months. After that, developer Steve Connelly will begin construction on mixed-use building with 38 condominiums and 3,800 square feet of first floor retail space. Construction is expected to take 12 to 18 months.

DRACUT --- Selectmen have voted to OK the town's plan to allow Lowell-based nonprofit Coalition for a Better Acre to redevelop the former Centre School/Town Hall Annex into eight affordable apartments for veterans. The town is expected to support the plan with $200,000. This would be CBA's second development outside of Lowell following its recent Welcome Home Veterans Housing Project in Haverhill.

MASHPEE --- In its continuing effort to add housing and a walkable neighborhood feel to the Mashpee Commons shopping area, developers are proposing to seek a Ch. 40B comprehensive permit so it can build 10 more apartments, raising the number to 32 in the Market Street expansion phase.

WORCESTER --- City councilors may consider measures that would control what they see as a rise in property owners paving the front lawns to allow for more parking. Before considering measures, the city council has ordered that a study be done to estimate how often this has been done. A primary concern is that paving over front lawns often result in unauthorized curb cuts, which end up eliminating on-street parking spaces for other neighborhood residents. City permission is required whenever an opening is made into a curb on a public street.

WEYMOUTH --- At public hearings, public support continues to build for the city to create a mixed use overlay district along its busy Route 53, 18 and 3A business corridors, The new zoning overlay district would allow developers to seek special permits for multi-unit housing with retail or office space on the first floor. Residential-only proposals would be allowed by special permit. If enacted, it would be the first zoning changes for those areas since the 1970s.

DENNIS --- Dozen of neighbors attended a planning board meeting to protest a proposal by Cape Commerce Nominee Realty Trust to redevelop two lots in a single-family neighborhood into 28 mixed-income apartments. The trust, which includes land owner David L. Howes, Bruce MacGregor and Doug Lebel, are seeking a special permit to build Beach Plum Village. Residents voiced concerns about density, traffic, crime, pollution, and property values. Board members said a denial could open the property up to an even larger proposal.