Housing Headlines

HOPEDALE --- Delayed for almost 20 years due to a resident challenge and then a slumping housing market, the town is now being asked to consider a developer's bid to seek a Ch. 40B comprehensive permit from the town to build a 16 single-family homes off Boyd Road, which is off off Hopedale St. just south of Rt. 16.

FALL RIVER --- In its ongoing effort to bring market-rate residential housing to the city, the city's planning epartment will hold a public meeting introducing two new zones meant to attract developers who would utilize a new state tax credits program designed to help Gateway Cities produce more market-rate housing.

AMHERST --- A private organization may soon help people find affordable housing in Amherst in an effort to encourage home ownership and prevent neighborhoods from being overrun by student-rental properties.

WEST BOYLSTON --- The Northborough man who wants to buy land from the town and build housing has promised that he would not pursue a Ch. 40B permit but would instead construct eight homes on the 11-acre site. The parcel is part of the 40-acre Malden Brook Farm, most of which has been protected from development by the state or because it abuts wetlands. Eleven acres were not protected by the state and have been deemed suitable for housing.

FRANKLIN --- A little bit of history was made on Sat., July 26 as the town held a lottery for the first home purchased by the town's municipal affordable housing trust. The two-bedroom home on Landry St. was purchased by the trust for $253,000 and will be sold to the lottery winner - a Franklin couple - for $160,000 after the trust used its funds to reduce the purchase price.

FOXBORO --- Concerned about the impact of a 20-unit, 5.5 acre homeownership subdivision proposal that would be built with a Ch. 40B comprehensive permit, one nearby resident brought her 10-year-old son to a zoning board of appeals meeting to help illustrate neighborhood concerns about traffic. In addition to traffic and child safety, residents at the hearing also voiced concerns about drainage, the impact of blasting ledge, water quality and fears that the development could decrease property values.