Housing Headlines

SOUTHBRIDGE --- Arch Street Development of Boston told town officials recently that it is one year away from beginning construction on turning the former Wells Middle School into 58 affordable senior apartments. Arch Street's Richard Relich told town councilors the project has received an initial round of tax credit financing and expects to receive an additional round in the next few months.

BRAINTREE – Three days after city analysis estimated that 1.9 percent of its land is being used for affordable housing, the Zoning Board of Appeals voted to continue its hearing with a Ch. 40B developer while the city awaits for the state to confirm that Braintree has gone past the 1.5 percent threshold needed to have greater latitude over Ch. 40B proposals. A large crowd came to voice its displeasure with plans by the Holland Companies to build 78 units in Braintree Square but the ZBA pushed the first hearing date until May.

IPSWICH --- The owner of Bruni's Market - a lifelong town resident - has told the town that he will be applying for a Ch. 40B comprehensive permit so he can redevelop his property into 194 mixed-income apartments, a proposal selectmen say would be the largest development the town has ever seen. "Everyone always complaining about the fact there's no affordable housing, but every time someone comes forward with a plan, it creates a big stir," said John J. Bruni. "The history of Ipswich is it was a blue collar, working town. I grew up here and we prided ourselves on knowing your neighbor and that has all changed."

WEYMOUTH – The zoning board of appeals have given the OK to Heritage Companies' plans to redevelop the Brava building at 59 Washington St. and a parcel of land behind it. By a 4-0 vote, the board has OK'd plans for Weymouth Landing. Proposed by Heritage's Michael Kiley, the plan calls for the conversion of office space above the Passport restaurant into two apartments and the construction of a new 21-unit apartment building behind it.

QUINCY --- The city's Planning Board has begun hearings on two separate proposals that could bring more than 700 apartments to the area around North Quincy's MBTA station in the next couple of years. The larger proposal would be built on the T station property - a mixed-use development featuring 610 apartments and 50,000 square feet of commercial space. This is being proposed by Atlantic Development of Hingham in partnership with the Bozzuto Group of Washington D.C.

NATICK ---The owner of the property at 19 Willow St. near Natick Center is proposing to turn an existing building into 11 apartments and build 16 more in a new building on another part of the lot by using a town bylaw that allows density when there are community benefits like affordable housing. At least five units will be affordable, above the town bylaw's 15 percent affordable requirement.