Housing Headlines

SHREWSBURY --- Early reaction from selectmen is that they seem to like a developer's proposal to turn a former 75-acre drive in site into a $60 million mixed-use development that would include a grocery store, other retail and 316 housing units, including 298 apartments. Part of the critical discussion concerned the inclusion of a den in the two-bedroom drawings, which some selectmen speculated would be used as a bedroom and would attract children to the town.

BROCKTON --- Just over $3 million in funding from the Baker Administration will enable Father Bill's & Main Spring to move forward with its plans to build 23 supportive housing units for the homeless and military veterans. The new building will be built on the old Phaneuf Hospital site, which was torn down two weeks ago. It will be next to Father Bill's Montello Home project and will be known as Montello Home II.

LUDLOW --- The corporation charged with overseeing the cleanup and redevelopment of the 170-acre Ludlow Mill complex announced this week that efforts to clear the site of asbestos and PCBs have concluded, but they are wary that development efforts may stall if federal brownfield funds and historic tax credit funds are cut.

SUDBURY --- The Zoning Board of Appeals recently approved Ch. 40B comprehensive land permit for 56 units of senior rental housing, an OK that should keep the town's supply of affordable housing over 10 percent for the next few years. The permit was granted to B'nai B'rith Housing New England and it will be built next to the Coolidge at Sudbury, a 65-unit senior development that B'nai B'rith finished in 2014.

FALMOUTH --- After about an hour-long debate over issues like requiring affordability, residential impacts and who would be served by new units, Town Meeting OK'd by the necessary two-thirds majority a bylaw that will allow for modest accessory apartment within single-family homes as a matter of right in agricultural and residential zones. A special permit would be needed if the apartment is in a freestanding accessory building, such as a garage.

NEWTON ---- In the effort to overhaul its aging zoning and a nod to the fact that people don't have time to attend night meetings anymore, the City of Newton has posted 15 signs around the city asking questions that can be answered by texting to a phone number on the sign. The signs include messages like: “Have you seen any new buildings you like in Newton or elsewhere?.” “Waban is a small village that’s big on character – how can we preserve what’s special yet allow for moderate growth?.” “Is live-work housing or home businesses something you’d like to see in your neighborhood?”