Housing Headlines

PLYMOUTH ---A former industrial site at the Plymouth waterfront that was taken over and cleaned up by the Plymouth Redevelopment Authority will be redeveloped in 42 units by Southern Dunes LLC., an affiliate of Karsten Company. Four of the units will be affordable in compliance with the town's inclusionary zoning bylaw.

NORWOOD --- In an effort to gain control over Ch. 40B developments by proving that 1.5 percent of its developable land is being used for affordable housing, the town's 1.5 Percent Task Force is seeking land donations so it can convert private land to public land, thus reducing the amount of land that would be considered developable.

SOUTH HADLEY --- While noting that he supports the state's housing law known as Ch. 40B, Rep. John Scibak said in a public forum he is working with other legislators on changes to the law to stop the practice of developers threatening to build larger projects with 40B so that towns will accept smaller proposals.

ANDOVER --- Residents fighting two major senior housing developments will be going before Town Meeting this spring to propose three zoning bylaw amendments aimed at better controlling the location and size of assisted living developments.

PROVINCETOWN --- Despite an emotional plea from a proponent that the lack of affordable housing in town was an act of "essentially committing community suicide," most attending a public discussion were against transferring $1.6 million in Land Bank funds into the CPA fund so it can be used for affordable housing.

SUDBURY --- Selectmen are considering writing a letter to Raytheon suggesting that the company's property be used for affordable housing after it leaves next year. Local officials said the Raytheon property is key to the town's efforts to reach the state's affordable housing requirement and that they would prefer that the housing be rental and for seniors, so the site wouldn't add more school children to its "overburdened" school system.