Housing Headlines

FALMOUTH --- The lawyer for a developer "respectfully" disagreed with the town's housing consultant assessment that Ch. 40B regulations allow for the town to ask for certain changes if they comply with local planning objectives. The debate surfaced at a Zoning Board of Appeals hearing regarding developer Robert Walker's proposal to build 104 units at 556 Main Street. The town has asked the developer to include some ground floor commercial in the project but Walker's lawyer said, "that's something that's off the table." (Note: The consultant representing the town is being funded through MHP's 40B technical assistance program).

WINCHESTER --- A rumor that was given life when a selectman urged voters to say no to buying artificial turf because the town would need $60 million to expand schools to deal with a large upcoming 40B has now been confirmed, as Town Planner Brian Szekely recently acknowledged that Mill Creek Residential has talked to the town about building 350 units on Holton Street. Ironically, neighbors in this area have been complaining about truck noise for years, a nuisance that would go away by allowing residential, the town planner said.

SOMERVILLE --- Federal Realty Investment Trust - the developers of Assembly Row - have asked the city for a waiver from a new ordinance requiring that 20 percent of residential development be affordable, an increase from 12.5 percent that the developers have been following since they started the massive project in 2006. Nearly 500 residential units are currently under construction near Partner’s Healthcare. However, developers say the next phase may stall if they have to build 98 affordable units instead of 62.

FRANKLIN --- Franklin officials are asking their state representatives for relief from Ch. 40B housing proposals, even though the town is at 9.32 percent, just short of the 10 percent threshold needed to gain greater control over 40B proposals. Town Manager Jeff Nutting suggested the state give towns a "timeout" between developments. One town council member - Andrew Bissanti - said the town's zoning is contributing to the problem, since much of the land is not zoned for multi-family, thus forcing developers to use the 40B state law to get the land use permits they need to build.

SWAMPSCOTT --- Putting aside a petition by residents asking to delay its decision, selectmen have voted to accept a proposal by Salem-based Groom Construction to redevelop the vacant middle school on Greenwood Ave. into 28 apartments.Groom originally responded to an RFP issued by the town several years ago and proposed to build 41 units but residents went to Land Court to stop it in 2014. This caused Groom to sue the town for breach of contract. Residents are now accusing selectmen of capitulating to Groom to make the old suit go away.

ANDOVER --- Real Estate developer Sal Lupoli is hoping that spring Town Meeting will OK a warrant that will allow for housing to be built on a 16-acre commercial-retail site he is developing near Interstate 93. In addition redeveloping part of one building and building nine new commercial buildings, Lupoli would like to add 225 studio and one-bedroom apartments, one-third of which would be restricted to households 55 and over.