Housing Headlines

ASHLAND --- While nearby residents are pushing the town to adopt an amendment that would direct the town to let an affordable housing agreement expire, selectmen have instead granted developer EA Fish a series of extensions relating to its attempt to acquire land and use a 40B permit to build an over-62, 112-bed project called Robert Hill Way.

ORLEANS --- The prime supporter of a plan to build homes for autistic adults near the elementary school was surprised when the school committee voted 4-1 not to set aside 3.3 acres for the project.

On the heels of a special report by Boston University on suburban resistance to three-bedroom apartments, the Boston Globe West edition follows up on the practice of towns getting developers to include fewer units for families in its multi-family development proposals.

MAYNARD --- After two working sessions with the town failed to produce consensus on how to redevelop a 58-acre former Digital property, Southborough developer William Depietri intends to seek a Ch. 40B comprehensive permit to build 317 apartments on 21 of the acres while still working with the town on how the former computer company property should be developed.

WESTFORD - Special town meeting shot down a proposal to set aside a 40-acre parcel of town-owned land for affordable housing, instead voting to designate the so-called "Edwards Parcel" as conservation land.

NORWELL --- After months of hearings, the town's zoning boad of appeals board has unanimously but reluctantly approved a 126-unit apartment complex. In its vote Wednesday night, the board attached more than 100 conditions, which cover everything from the height of the three proposed buildings to landscaping along the edges of the 17.5-acre site off Prospect Street near Simon Hill Road.