Housing Headlines

CHELMSFORD --- The first zoning board of appeals hearing on a Ch. 40B land use permit to build 84 mixed-income apartments was a chance for residents to voice their concerns and many did on issues ranging from municipal costs to environmental concerns to traffic. Known as Beaver Brook Crossing, the application is being made by Emanouil Farms LLC and plans call for two three-story, 24--unit buildings, and one four-story, 36-unit building.

NORWELL --- The nonprofit developer hoping to turn the former police station site into a four-story, 18-unit, mixed-income senior housing development is hoping the town can move faster with its "friendly" 40B permit process so that the project can take advantage of the state's new small-scale housing program, which is scheduled to make its first round of funding awards in July. MetroWest Collaborative Executive Director Jennifer Van Campen said the new fund could provide the project with $2.2 million in Community Scale Housing Initiative funding, but only if its approved before the funding round.

MILTON --- The planning aboard has approved a special cluster development permit that will allow Pulte Homes to move forward with plans to build 23 single family homes on 34 acres on an historic town-owned property called Milton Woods. Pulte will pay the town $5 million for the land once Pulte has obtained all the necessary permits. (Paywall. Only limited version of story can be found online).

HYANNIS --- After there were indications that the seller might be getting cold feet due to resident push back, Homeless Not Hopeless has purchased a four-bedroom residential home in a single-family neighborhood and will continue to pursue plans to turn it into long-term housing for the homeless. The new owners said they will make every effort to work with neighbors but one resident has filed a petition requesting an amendment to zoning bylaws prohibiting group homes in single-family neighborhoods.

PLYMOUTH --- Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito was on hand to help celebrate the groundbreaking of The Seaport at Cordage, a 204-unit mixed-income development that will be built by JANCO Development. The development will be built at Cordage Park, an old rope factory site in Plymouth Harbor that has been partially redeveloped with commercial space. A $2 million MassWorks infrastructure grant from the Baker-Polito Administration was used to knock down a former Wal-Mart store and pave the way for the new housing. Fifty-one of the apartments will be affordable.

BOSTON --- Detailed plans recently submitted to the city by Boston-based Long Bay Management estimate that building a 25-story mixed-use tower in Dudley Square would cost $144 million and would consist of 165 mixed-income apartments and 46 condos, two floors of office space, ground-floor commercial space and two other existing buildings that will be incorporated into the project.