Housing Headlines

FALMOUTH --- The 20-unit housing proposal that generated some pointed questions from residents and ensuing rebukes from Zoning Board of Appeals members and local newspapers appears to be moving forward, as the ZBA has given a preliminary nod to developer's application for a Ch. 40B comprehensive land-use permit.

DANVERS --- At the North Shore Chamber of Commerce's annual state of the region event, Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll and Beverly Mayor Michael Cahill made it clear that despite an uptick in apartment development, the demand for affordable housing has not been met. "As we become a more desirable place, we need to make sure housing is available for all of the people who want to live in our community," said Driscoll. Added Cahill: "Housing is a key for everything," he said. "We need housing in Beverly. We know that with the baby boomers retiring and the retirement population getting bigger than the working population, we need more housing options."

WORCESTER --- While there are still problems, there are signs that Worcester's notorious Main South neighborhood is changing thanks to a concerted effort by the city, police, Clark University, the Boys and Girls Club and the Main South CDC.

BEVERLY --- Saying that the Cabot Street YMCA gymnasium has been underutilized for awhile, the YMCA of the North Shore and Harborlight Community Partners may team up to replace it with 20 new affordable apartments while also financing the renovation of the 45 existing units.

MARSHFIELD --- While agreeing to lower the heights of all six buildings, Mill Creek Residential seems to be at an impasse with the Marshfield Zoning Boards of Appeals as its new plans still call for 270 units while the ZBA would like to see the project cut to 168 units. “We continue to be willing to work with the board, but we don’t accept the premise of 168 units being the basis of a continuation,” said Debbie Horwitz, lawyer for the developer.

GLOUCESTER --- In what's being described as the city's continuing commitment to find ways to add more affordable housing, the Gloucester City Council has passed a new bylaw that it hopes will encourage landlords who own houses with unlicensed apartments to come forward and register them without penalty, if they are willing to set aside some of the units as affordable.