Housing Headlines

A coalition of nonprofits are pushing for all Cape towns to adopt an accessory dwelling bylaw that would be more flexible than current laws in that it would remove the affordable housing restriction and not require that a family member live in the accessory unit.

SWAMPSCOTT --- After more than a year of careful discussions between the town and developer, the Zoning Board of Appeals recently approved a Ch. 40B comprehensive land use permit for B'nai B'rith housing, clearing the way for the non-profit to redevelop the shuttered Machon school into 38 affordable apartments for seniors.

EVERETT --- After gaining initial approval to build 15 apartments on Broadway near Sweetser Circle, developers Eric and Joan Kenworthy have scaled back their plan to 10 units in response to neighborhood feedback and to increase their chances of gaining Planning Board approval. If approved, this would be the first project OK'd under the city's new inclusionary zoning bylaw and one of the new units would be affordable.

TRURO --- A Barnstable Superior Court judge has denied the town's motion to dismiss a claim by a resident that a three-unit Habitat for Humanity affordable housing development will change the way storm water runs off the site onto the resident's property. Resident Brenda Connors has maintained that the site at 181 Route 6 will impact the health and safety of her family and guests based on the relationship of the Habitat site to her property.

BOSTON --- Cruz Companies President John Cruz joined Mayor Martin Walsh, state Housing and Economic Development Director Jay Ash and state Sen. Linda Dorcena Forry for the unveiling of 83 newly renovated affordable apartments in seven buildings at the 349-unit Wayne Apartments complex. The $33 million preservation project was funded primarily with a $20 million tax-exempt bond issued by MassDevelopment.

QUINCY --- The nonprofit NeighborWorks of Southern Mass. is teaming with Winn Companies to demolish a blighted Quincy Point building and replace it with The Watson, a 140-unit mixed-income apartment building.