Housing Headlines

DANVERS --- State Sen. Joan Lovely has filed legislation that would help communities get motel tax revenues lost when the state houses homeless families in motels for more than 90 days, as well as legislation that would create new programs to allow children living in motels the chance to attend after-school and summer programs at local YMCA's.

NORTHAMPTON --- The owner of two properties next to a proposed 55-unit mixed use development of the Northampton Lumber site has filed lawsuits asking the court to overturn the town's decisions to green light the project.

NORWOOD --- In an attempt to gain further control over Ch. 40B development proposals, the town's 1.5 Percent Task Force has identified 13 properties that the town could purchase that would push its amount of buildable land above 1.5 percent. Towns gain greater control over Ch. 40B by either having 10 percent of its housing affordable or having affordable housing on 1.5 percent of its buildable land. Norwood is at 1.496 percent. Twelve of the 13 properties are near wetlands, the task force said.

HOPKINTON --- The zoning board of appeals has granted developer Paul Mastroianni's a Ch. 40B permit so he can build 280 units on 34 acres of a 96-acres site at West Main Street and Lumber Street. The project will be a mix of rentals and condominiums that will include 84 one-, 160 two- and 36 three-bedroom apartments.

FEB. 20, 2015 --- In the most recent issue of Banker & Tradesman, B'nai B'rith Executive Director Susan Gittelman opined in favor proposed legislation that would remove administrative barriers to housing production.

PLYMOUTH --- A developer who says he can't sell affordable condo units due to a shortage of qualified buyers is asking that the town revisit its inclusionary zoning bylaw which requires that one affordable unit be provided for every seven built.