Housing Headlines

BOSTON --- Seven lots acquired by MassDOT45 years ago in preparation for an I-95 highway extension that dissolved due to community protest have been put on the block, with residents at a public meeting critical of the idea of selling the land to the highest bidder and urging that anyone who develops the land include affordable housing.

QUINCY --- One month after the city green-lighted a plan to develop the North Quincy MBTA stop into a large mixed-use development featuring 610 apartments, the MBTA has put out a request seeking information from developers on how to develop 6.3 acres at the Quincy Center MBTA station.

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.