Housing Headlines

ACTON --- Selectmen voted to sign an application to the state for its Local Initiative Program (LIP), another crucial step in a developer's plan to take a .87 Main St. parcel and turn it into an eight-unit, mixed-income homeownership development which will be called Craftsman Village Acton. Otherwise known as a "friendly 40B," developers Mark O'Hagan and Sotir Papalilo still must explore whether it's feasible to save the 1861 Alonzo Tower House, a requirement set forth when the town's historical commission put a 12-month demolition delay on the property in March.

BARNSTABLE --- The Barnstable Planning Board has OK'd developer Stuart Bornstein's plan to build 33 condominiums on 1.32 acres in Hyannis Harbor's East End. The decision waives the seven units per acre zoning and also allows Bornstein to provide four affordable units required by inclusionary zoning off site. The development plan needs to be approved by town council.

AMHERST --- Beacon Communities' plans to build a $47.5 million development with 130 apartments and 22,000 square feet of commercial space in North Amherst's Mill District can proceed after Hampshire Superior Court dismissed a challenge by an abutting commercial property owner that the town issued a comprehensive land use permit without receiving sufficient information or allowing for public comment.

WALPOLE --- Having been previously denied an approval to construct age-restricted housing, national housing developer Pulte Homes is back, this time with plans to see a Ch. 40B comprehensive land use permit so it can redevelop the former Walpole Woodworkers site into 250 condominiums.

QUINCY --- The Planning Board has OK'd Atlantic Development's plan to build 610 apartments, 50,000 square feet of commercial space and 1,600 parking spaces at the North Quincy MBTA station. Atlantic is partnering with Washington D.C.-based Bozzuto Group, and the developers plan to sign a 99-year lease with the T to build on the seven-acre site, which is now a parking lot.

SOUTHBORO --- An approved 180-unit housing proposal that is already being challenged by 20 residents has taken on another legal twist as Bill Depietri of Capital Group Properties is suing the Zoning Board of Appeals for turning over site plan review responsibility to the Planning Board.