Housing Headlines

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.

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.