Housing Headlines

PROVINCETOWN --- With rumors swirling that builders and real estate brokers would converge on the last night of Town Meeting to turn back an inclusionary zoning bylaw the town had adopted by two-third majority earlier in the week, housing proponents turned to social media to urge supporters to attend Town Meeting again to ensure there would be a two-thirds majority to turn back any appeal. Turnout was similar to the night the vote was passed and the repeal attempt never materialized.

IPSWICH --- While the town's planner has called Bruni's Marketplace an "acceptable" location for a proposed Ch. 40B 194-apartment development, the town is likely to suggest changes that would include lower rents, reduced building heights and more open space.

CAMBRIDGE --- The City Council has voted to boost the required amount or affordable housing developers must provide from 15 to 20 percent. The new bylaw is for developments of 10 units or more and is slated to become law on June 30. Mayor Denise Simmons saluted the move but reminded voters more needs to be done. “This is not one and done,” Simmons said. “There’s so much work that is yet to happen in order for us to keep Cambridge diverse and affordable, but this is clearly an important step.”

PROVINCETOWN --- Build affordable units or pay. That's what Provincetown residents decided, voting by the necessary two-thirds majority to pass an inclusionary zoning bylaw that requires developers to provide an affordable unit for every six units built, or opt out by paying into the town's housing fund.

WORCESTER --- Heeding resident concerns about parking, the city's Zoning Board of Appeals unanimously rejected a plan to turn a four-family home near Clark University into a 28-bed lodging house that developers say would be targeted to graduate students.

CAMBRIDGE --- St. Patrick's Place - one of 18 buildings damaged by a wind-swept fire in December - will soon be rebuilt as affordable housing owner Just-A-Start has received permission to demolish the remains of the heavily damaged historic church and replace it with a new 16-unit affordable housing apartment building.