Housing Headlines

NORTH ATTLEBORO --- With some anguish, selectmen unanimously voted not to support Great Bridge Properties' bid to build a 45-unit rental 40B on 2.5 acres near Rt. 1, saying the proposal was too large and not in keeping with the neighborhood's smaller homes. Great Bridge can continue to pursue a 40B permit with the town's zoning board of appeals but has indicated it would not do that without town support. Selectman Michael Thompson struggled with the decision. "I'm really torn," he said. "I'm one of those kids who grew up in triple deckers on the north end of town. We weren't rich, far from it, not even close. With these projects, I realize all these bells and whistles go off that we're going to get bad people in town. I'll tell you something, all of us kids that grew up here and grew up in those neighborhoods now contribute to this town."

NORWOOD --- By a 3-2 vote, selectmen have approved the town's application to the state for a Ch. 40R smart growth overlay district for the former Plimpton Press site, which is steps away from the town's downtown commuter rail station. If approved by the state and then a two-thirds vote at town meeting, the owners plan to redevelop the 7.82 acre property into 270 apartments.

BOSTON --- At a recent community meeting, Jamaica Plain residents called for more affordability and more three-bedroom units at the proposed "Commons at Forest Hills Station" apartment project. The developers, John M. Corcoran & Co. and the Brennan Group, are planning to buy the property at 3593-3615 Washington St. and are proposing a 280-unit project with 10 three-bedroom units and 37 affordable units. Residents want at least 25 percent affordable units.

BRIDGEWATER --- The town is poised to approve zoning amendments that would allow housing in the central business district by special permit as long as it is confined to the upper stories of commercial buildings. The plan would allow up to five housing units per acre, or six to eight units if 25 percent of them were affordable. Town council was scheduled to discuss the matter on Sept. 3 and could OK the measure at that time.

WILLIAMSTOWN --- Sparked by the damage or loss of approximately 200 mobile homes due to Hurricane Irene, the town continues to discuss several less flood-prone sites for affordable housing, including the possibility of building a small-scale development on land owned by Williams College.

NORTH ATTLEBORO --- Residents are pushing to have the town rezone a property near Rt. 1 from commercial back to residential, while at the same time voicing concerns about a 45-unit apartment building proposed for the site. The developer, Great Bridge Properties, can proceed with its Ch. 40B application no matter how the property is zoned but residents fear that if housing is not built on the site, a commercial building will be built, eliminating the property as an effective buffer zone between the neighborhood and Rt. 1. The property was rezoned as part of the town's effort to eliminate properties that sat in two zoning districts and most residents did not discover the change until Great Bridge began the 40B application process.