Housing Headlines

ARLINGTON --- Impact on wetlands is a primary concern of residents and the town in its oppositin to a 219-unit housing development being proposed by Oaktree Development for the so-called Mugar family property near Rt. 2.

ACTON --- While residents are reacting negatively to a Ch. 40B proposal for a historic 2.7 acre lot on Elm St. near an elementary school, the town's nonprofit housing corporation is working with the developer to come up with an alternative plan that could work better for the neighborhood.

NEWTON --- The city's zoning board of appeals could vote on a Ch. 40B permit application to build 135 units in Auburndale in October after the developer declined to alter the project or make any further presentations at a public hearing on Aug. 20.

BURLINGTON --- Responding to signals from the town that it is interested in a friendly 40B to increase affordable housing and keep the town's supply above 10 percent, the Davis Companies is seeking an amendment to its Corporate Drive office park zoning agreement so it can build 300 units of housing rather than a fifth office building. However, residents in attendance at a planning board meeting indicated they'd prefer an office building because it would have less impact on traffic.

NORWOOD --- With its two-year safe harbor from Ch. 40Bs set to end on Sept. 4, town officials believe two land purchases of 83 acres for conservation purposes means that 1.5 percent of its "developable" land is being used for affordable housing and that the fulfillment of this state requirement will allow it to continue to have greater control over Ch. 40B applications. Norwood's land calculations are subject to review by the state.

SHERBORN --- In an article submitted to local newspapers, the Sherborn Citizens Action Committee said that a 36-unit Ch. 40B cluster development proposed by Trask Development for six acres of a 17-acre property on Washington St. represents significant health and safety risks for the town and nearby Holliston. SCAC did agree on the needs and benefits of affordable housing in town for elderly, veterans, handicapped citizens and workers but said this project is too dense.