Housing Headlines

WINCHESTER --- While acknowledging that the town's housing partnership may have violated some open meeting law procedures, selectmen defended the partnership's role as an advisory body to the town and concluded it is not surprising that the partnership has come out in favor of the 296-unit Forest Ridge Ch. 40B project proposed for the Winchester-Stoneham line.

LYNN --- The developer who plans to turn a long-vacant 14-acre Lynnway waterfront car dealership into an $80 million community with 348 apartments says it will meet with the New Lynn Coalition about their call for more affordable units and union labor, even though the developer says the city has indicated it prefers the project to be market rate.

WORCESTER --- The idea of eliminating an estimated 70 homeless camps around the city by creating a sanctioned homeless camp with toilets, some medical services and a police presence met a quick demise this week as City Manager Edward M. Augustus Jr. said the city does not plan to establish one and that the idea came from creative thinking about to do about a serious issue in the city.

STONEHAM --- A state housing finance agency recently extended until the end of September the deadline for local officials and citizens to outline any objections they have with a proposed 296-unit housing development in Winchester by I-93.

WRENTHAM --- A 92-lot open space planned development is the latest in flurry of housing proposals coming before the town. This plan - called Park Place - would be built on 112 acres between Rt. 140 and the Norfolk line. In addition to this proposal, Wrentham is being asked to consider Eagle Brook Commons, a 100-unit rental development near the Franklin line, and Rosegate of Wrentham, a 220-unit apartment complex near Route 494 and Route 1 near Plainville.

WORCESTER - In an effort to contain and reduce the number of homeless encampments throughout the city, and to better provide services to the local homeless population, city officials are exploring the feasibility of creating a "sanctioned site" that would basically be a homeless camp with toilet and shower facilities, and a place where these individuals could receive medical attention.