Housing Headlines

BOSTON --- Banker & Tradesman columnist Scott Van Voorhis weighs in on the zoning reform bill winding its way through the state Senate, writing that while the bill's multifamily and cluster provisions indicate Beacon Hill is concerned about the state's housing crisis, additional local requirements in the bill may result in making housing production more difficult.

LOWELL --- The planning board has given special-permit approval to Vision Properties' plan to build small apartments for 438 students near Boot Mills, even as the developer continues to negotiate with owners of the abutting River Place Towers, which has raised concerns about the project's impact on traffic and parking.

BEVERLY --- A large mixed-use high-rise building is being planned for the former Friendly’s restaurant site at 480 Rantoul Street in Beverly. The proposed five-story L-shaped structure will house 90 residences and approximately 1,900 square feet of retail and commercial storefront.

SOUTH YARMOUTH — An arson fire that destroyed a building on the Cavalier Motor Lodge property last June has jump-started an effort to redevelop the longtime eyesore located along Route 28. Dakota Partners has proposed to develop this property and the adjoining Bass River Motel (six acres total) into 120 units, 100 affordable.

STONEHAM --- Despite the Zoning Board of Appeal's approval of the Weiss Farm 40B with conditions last month, the town's long-running battle with Corcoran Company and the state is far from over. The town expects that Corcoran will appeal the ZBA's decision to approve 124 units instead of the proposed 259. In addition, the town is continuing to press in court its contention that it has achieved "safe harbor" from 40B because 1.5 percent of its land has affordable housing. The town feels the state has denied it information concerning the status of group homes that would help prove its case.

EASTON --- With the issuance of building permits for AvalonBay's 290-unit apartment development, 10 percent of Easton's housing is now considered affordable. In a column in the Easton Journal, Selectman David Colton wrote, "Our compliance puts Easton in a small group of about 15 percent of municipalities statewide who have met the statutory requirements of Chapter 40B. Beyond simply complying with the law, this collaborative project will ultimately provide more housing options for Easton residents, additional tax revenue for the Town and new customers for local businesses."