Housing Headlines

DUXBURY --- Six years after gaining initial approval, the controversial Webster Point Village can begin construction following an agreement betweent the developer and the local zoning board of appeals. Back in 2006, the ZBA granted Delphic Associates a Ch. 40B comprehensive permit to build 40 single-family homes (10 affordable) on the Duxbury-Marshfield line. One year later, the ZBA denied the developer's request for an extension on the construction deadline, sending the matter to court. Early legal decisions went in favor of the developer, causing the ZBA to pursue appeals.

LOWELL -- Community Teamwork Inc. has denied a newspaper's request for a list of landlords with multiple Section 8 vouchers. CTI Executive Director Karen Frederick said her agency's overriding concern is that the publishing of landlord information could lead to disclosure of Section 8 tenant information. Frederick also wrote that CTI is not a public entity, so she does not believe it is subject to public-records laws. CTI receives and administers over 700 Section 8 vouchers for the state. The Lowell Sun has said it is not interested in tenant information.

HOLYOKE --- Two weeks after asking the federal government to ignore a request by the city's housing authority to demolish the Lyman Terrance public housing project, Mayor Alex Morse explained that he's not necessarily against knocking all or part of it down, but only if there's a comprehensive plan about what to do with the site and a strategy for relocating residents into new housing within the city.

EASTON --- In a sign that the long-delayed Queset Commons condominum project is back on track, developer Doug King has asked that the town apply to the state for funds to do intersection work near the 50-acre site where he plans to build hundreds of condominiums and assisted living units, as well as retail space. The town approved the site near Rt. 123 as a smart growth overlay district back in 2008.

BOSTON --- The BRA recently approved a plan to add 322 residential units with 15,000 square feet of retail space and a community center in the Fenway neighborhood of Boston. Of the 322 units, 36 will be designated as affordable. The developer predicts that this project will create 600 construction jobs with a groundbreaking planned for spring 2013.

BOSTON --- Some Jamaica Plain residents have voiced frustration that the co-developers of the Blessed Sacrament Church campus did not consult with the community on changes to the master plan for the campus redevelopment. Four buildings have already been redeveloped and new plans for the final two buildings include less affordable units than what was in the master plan.