Housing Headlines

BURLINGTON --- The selectmen have voted unanimously to support a "friendly 40B" application by The Davis Companies, who have proposed to build no more than 271 multifamily units in the Center at Corporate Drive on Cambridge St. At the moment, approximately 10 percent of Burlington's housing is considered affordable and the addition of the Davis Companies' units would keep the town over 10 percent and give it greater control over future 40Bs for years to come.

CHARLESTOWN --- State Rep. Dan Ryan says he's still educating himself on whether adopting the Community Preservation Act is a good idea, saying he isn't convinced that voters are going to vote for something that means more taxes and that many of the activities CPA traditionally funds won't occur in his Charlestown district.

MELROSE --- Mayor Rob Dolan says Corcoran Company's proposal to build 259 units at Weiss Farm in Stoneham could have a negative impact on his city, voicing concerns about flooding that could occur if the so many buildings are constructed on what he called A water-filled property. (Melrose Free Press).

An editorial in Saturday's Boston Globe praises the Baker Administration's "humane" approach and a state program called HomeBASE for enabling the state to cut the number of homeless families living in motels from 1,500 to 538.

AMHERST --- Beacon Communities of Boston, which entered into an agreement with Amherst-based W.D. Cowls Inc. in March to construct mixed-use buildings, have informed residents in North Amherst's Mill District that they may file plans under the state’s Chapter 40B comprehensive permit in order to build 140 apartments, 20 to 25 percent of which will be affordable.

ASHLAND --- Selectmen have authorized a hydro-geological study of the town's Rail Transit District to assess the potential disturbances blasting could have on a culvert that runs through the property and an adjacent superfund cleanup site. The study was ordered after residents voiced concerns about developer Campanelli Thorndike's plans to do blasting and drilling as part of its plan to build 398 apartments near the commuter rail.