Housing Headlines

DARTMOUTH --- Selectmen recently unanimously endorsed a Chapter 40B proposal that would allow developers Jon and Jay Bovarnick to add 280 apartments to its Dartmouth Woods development. With this understanding with the town, the developers can now apply to the state's Local Initiative Program (LIP), which provides technical support to 40B developments in which the town and developer are in agreement.

MALDEN --- The Planning Board and City Council Ordinance Committee have scheduled a joint public meeting for Dec. 13 to discuss a proposal that would no longer allow multifamily buildings of six stories or more in the Malden Square area. Currently any proposal over six stories would require a special permit. It's possible the agenda may also include a proposal to allow multifamily buildings of up to three stories in zone Residence A, which are typically Malden neighborhoods of one- and two-family homes.

BEVERLY --- Less than two weeks after scores of residents packed a City Council hearing to voice support for affordable housing, the City Council voted unanimously to create a special Ch. 40R zoning district that will allow the nonprofit Harborlight Community Partners to proceed with plans to build 75 mixed-income rental apartments at the corner of Sohier and Tozier Roads.

QUINCY --- The development of MBTA land at the Quincy Center Red Line station took another step forward on Dec. 4 when the T's board gave initial approval to a plan by Hingham-based Atlantic Development and Bozzuto Development of Maryland. If fully realized, the developers would build 600 housing units, an office building, retail space and a renovate the subway station.

WORCESTER --- Tax reform and the threatened elimination or reduction in historic tax credits has Boston-based Trinity Financial racing to take ownership of the Worcester County Courthouse by the end of the year so it can use the program to help finance its proposed $53 million revitalization of the building into 114 mixed-income apartments.

The specter of tax reform as seen through the eyes of The Community Builders. The Boston-based company has already had to rewrite financing for affordable housing developments in Worcester and Illinois due to investors seeking repricing in anticipation of tax reform.