Housing Headlines

WINCHESTER --- On the heels of a suit filed by neighbors regarding a 96-unit proposal approved by the Zoning Board of Appeals, two legislators are concerned about a development company's plan to file for a Ch. 40B permit so it can build 296 units near the Winchester-Stoneham line.

GLOUCESTER --- A deal to move forward the $5.6 million sale of the Fuller School is getting closer, with Dolben Company agreeing to boost the number of market-rate housing units from 170 to 200 and commercial developer Sam Park agreeing to a reduction in retail space from 60,000 to 25,000 square feet.

TYNGSBORO --- With local developers Dennis Page and David Trahan having added the 120-unit Tyngsboro Crossing and 60-unit Merrimac Commons, the percentage of the town's housing that is affordable has reached 10 percent, meaning the town now has greater latitude in accepting or denying developer requests for Ch. 40B comprehensive permits.

LOWELL --- Princeton Properties has settled its lawsuit preventing Vision Properties from building a student dorm next to Princeton's River Place Towers, with Vision agreeing to make various design changes and a $1 million donation to Mass. General Hospital, where Princeton's founder has made several donations through the years.

FRANKLIN --- The Town Council has conveyed 17 acres off Panther Way near the high school to the town's Affordable Housing Trust Committee and Town Administrator says there's the potential for 50 to 60 units of senior housing to be built on the property.

GREAT BARRINGTON --- Discussions are continuing on Southern Berkshire CDC's plans to redevelop a former log home factory site into a 40B housing development, with the Zoning Board of Appeals asking the Planning Board for recommendations on the clean up of contaminants on the site.