Housing Headlines

STONEHAM --- The town's legal counsel and an affordable housing specialist retained by the town hinted this week that it may resort to procedural challenges to delay Corcorcan & Company bid to use Ch. 40B to build a 264-unit apartment complex on the 26-acre Weiss Farm property. .

BOSTON --- With only 22 percent of the city's 6,600 rental units currently under construction in the city, Mayor Martin J. Walshis seeking to dramatically increase production of middle-income housing in Boston.

AMHERST - Town Meeting has created the Amherst Affordable Housing Trust Fund that will allow the town more flexibility when creating or preserving affordable housing.

NORWOOD --- A bid to create a 40R zoning district that would would pave the way for a former press building to be turned into 238 apartments and commercial space near the train station has failed. On May 16, Norwood Town Meeting members voted 93-70 in favor of the project, which fell short of the required two-thrids majority for zoning changes.

SOUTHBOROUGH --- The town's attempt to delay a 180-unit Ch. 40B condo proposal near Rts. 9 and 495 has been overturned by the state, which has ruled the town's claim that it had permitted enough housing to earn a one-year "safe harbor" from 40B applications was filed one day after condo developer William Depietri filed his application to the town for a 40B permit.

QUINCY --- The city is seeking a developer to purchase and convert the former Central Middle School into rental or condominium units. According to the Request for Proposals (RFP), officials will select a developer based on price, responsiveness to green design objectives, construction experience, good standing in the industry and the financial stability to complete the project. Bids for the property are due on Thursday, May 29 at 11 a.m.