Housing Headlines

WATERTOWN --- Now that the state has allowed for the city to focus its MBTA zoning compliance efforts on Watertown Square, local officials have begun discussing how it will designate at least 24 acres for 1,700 units of multifamily housing. Officials hope to use the new law to spark a wider conversation about the planning process for the square, which is heavily serviced by MBTA buses. As an MBTA "adjacent community," Watertown must comply by Dec. 31, 2024.

HYANNIS --- Barnstable officials have cleared the way for housing development at the Cape Cod Mall, recently approving a request from mall owners, Simon Property Group, to increase building height limits and rezone the property for apartments, hotels and office uses.

MANCHESTER --- Town officials gathered recently to discuss steps needed to comply with the state's new multifamily zoning requirement for MBTA communities, including the possibility of zoning to allow for dozens of apartments on 37 acres adjancent to the town's train station. Town Administrator Greg Federspiel urged the town to use this new law to address its housing challenges. “We have the opportunity to engage the community in a thoughtful conversation,” said Federspiel. “We still need to address our housing issue. It is clear we need to address diversity. I don’t think we want to become a retirement community.”

NANTUCKET --- The state has ruled that the granting of building permits for 48 affordable rental apartments and two affordable homes in 2022 has earned Nantucket a two-year exemption from Ch. 40B, the law that allows developers to override local zoning if the town's supply of affordable housing is below 10 percent. Towns can earn safe harbor if they make significant progress toward reaching 10 percent threshold and Nantucket's recent flurry of permits has pushed its supply of affordable housing to 6.8 percent.

SALEM --- As part of an effort to redevelop the Salem Court House neighborhood, the planning board has OK'd a plan by Winn Development to build 120 mixed-income apartments on a muncipal parking lot next to the commuter rail station. While it now moves to secure financing, Winn will continue to work on plans to redevelop the Salem Superior Courthouse and County Commissioner buildings on Federal Street into housing and mixed retail.

WAYLAND --- Stating that "housing is a fundamental human right," Wayland's Good Shepherd Parish has announced its plan to lease a portion of its St. Ann's church property campus to a nonprofit developer that would build up to 65 units of affordable housing for seniors. The church hopes to team up with the Planning Office of Urban Affairs, which has developed affordable housing across the state, most recently in nearby Ashland.