Housing Headlines

SOMERVILLE --- As plans continue on adding 400 units and rehabilitating 216 housing authority units at Clarendon Hill, nearby residents are expressing concerns about possible future parking and traffic issues.

BOSTON --- The epic building boom that has added thousands of luxury housing units in the Boston area may have peaked, as the annual housing report card released by the Boston Foundation suggests the region has run out of customers willing to shell out huge sums in monthly rents.

BOSTON --- The standoff between Chestnut Hill Realty and town officials over plans to add more housing at the Hancock Village housing development may be nearing a conclusion as the two sides have reached an agreement that would allow the developer to consolidate two housing proposals into one 368-unit project. The settlement also includes $1 million going to the town for public improvements, a reduction in bedrooms, a buffer zone and a deed restriction that would limit future development. The settlement enables both sides to avoid a court trial that was set to begin on Nov. 28. The agreement must be approved by voters at the spring Town Meeting.

HOPKINTON --- The developer who is using a special permit to transform the 730-acre Weston Nurseries site into over 1,000 homes and apartments has followed through with a promise, signing an agreement that will deed 40 acres to the town, 19 of which will be used for the site of an International Marathon Center featuring exhibits, a hall of fame, classrooms and a library centered on the Boston Marathon.

LOWELL --- The extent of an alleged mortgage-fraud scheme by Lowell businessman Kevin Taing may be more widespread than the state Attorney General's Office have yet charged, as a civil lawsuit alleges that Taing may have victimized more Cambodian families in collaboration with a local attorney.

BOSTON --- Following up on last week's release of the Imagine Boston 2030 draft report, the City of Boston will be hosting a series of public events next week that will focus on getting feedback from residents in areas that the city would like to target for growth, like the underperforming Fairmount commuter rail line.