Housing Headlines

HINGHAM --- Hingham's bid to keep its affordable housing supply over 10 percent received a boost recently as the 220-apartment Broadstone development can now move forward after the dismissal of an appeal that argued against the proposal being allowed to tie into existing private sewer lines that serve a nearby condominium complex.

AMHERST --- More than 30 people from nearby housing complexes came out to a Zoning Board of Appeals meeting recently to voice concern about a Texas-based company's plans to replace the Amherst Motel on Route 9 with a 131-unit apartment building. Residents expressed concern about the number of units and the possibility the development would add cause more traffic and crime.

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.