Housing Headlines

SALEM --- Gov. Charlie Baker's plan to push legislation that would make it easier for cities and towns to change zoning by requiring a simple majority vote rather than the current two-thirds requirement is receiving good initial reviews from the Mass. Municipal Association.

Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito was in Holyoke on Dec. 19 to announce Baker Administration support for six affordable housing proposals around the state, including the plan to turn Yarmouth's Cavalier Motel site into 69 apartments and the Campbell-Purcell property plan in Eastham that will create 65 affordable apartments.

FRAMINGHAM --- Wary of the 1,600 units permitted or proposed and also cognizant of the looming change to a city form of government, the chairman of the Zoning Board of Appeals voted against a zoning change that would have allowed National Development to build 360 units on its 9/90 commercial site that currently hosts the Staples' headquarters. The vote was 2-1 in favor but National Development needed a unanimous vote to get the zoning change.

HOLYOKE --- Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito came to Holyoke on Dec. 19 to announce Baker Administration support of six affordable housing projects around the state, including funding for the 130-apartment North Square at the Mill District mixed-use development.

HOLYOKE --- Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito was in Holyoke on Dec. 19 to announce funding awards for six affordable housing projects, including a project by the nonprofit Wayfinders of Springfield to turn redevelop three vacant buildings into 47 new apartments.

PROVINCETOWN --- The bankrupt Harbor Hill 26-unit time share that the town is hoping to buy for year-round affordable housing is in the news again, with the state attorney general's office indicting the property's former manager for allegedly stealing more than $1.8 million from the resort, which she used to buy a horse, Patriot tickets and tickets to the Westminster Dog Show.