Housing Headlines

AMHERST --- Selectmen signed documents authorizing permanent affordable restrictions for 41 units at the 204-unit Rolling Green Apartments, punctuating a long effort in which the town used $1.2 million in CPA funds to help preserve the affordable units. Beacon Communities of Boston ended up buying the property, financing it with federal low-income housing tax credits awarded by the state and $8.7 million in loans from the Life Initiative.

BURLINGTON --- With construction of 180 units underway, Nordblom Development Company has received approval from the planning board to proceed with an additional 120 apartments, 10 percent of which would be affordable. The two phases are part of a Planned Development District OK'd by town meeting in 2007 for Northwest Park, a mixed-use technology park.

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.