Housing Headlines

EASTON --- Even though the town can deny Ch. 40B comprehensive permit applications for two years after approving Ames Shovel Works, selectman gave preliminary support to developer Amos Eisnerberg's plan to build 38 rental units. Eisnerberg is seeking to do a "friendly" 40B and must gain approval from the zoning board of appeals.

HINGHAM --- The Zoning Board of Appeals has indicated that it will continue to fight the state over whether 10 percent of the town's housing stock is affordable while it simultaneously considers a Ch. 40B proposal by Avalon Bay to develop 177 rental units. The town maintains that all 986 units at the Linden Ponds development are affordable whereas the state says only 25 percent are affordable. The difference is crucial because if the town's position is upheld on appeal, it could deny Avalon Bay its request for a comprehensive permit.

MARLBOROUGH - The City Council on Monday night approved sending a comment to the Zoning Board of Appeals opposing a 40B development proposal the board is considering. The Gutierrez Company is seeking waivers from the ZBA to build a 243-unit affordable housing project on Ames Street, off Rte. 20 on the west side of the city.

PROVINCETOWN --- Tenants have begun to move into the new Province Landing apartment community on Shank Painter Road. Developed by The Community Builders, Province Landing features 50 units of affordable rental housing.

MEDWAY --- At a meeting with the planning board in July, the co-chairs of the Affordable Housing Committee offered ideas for increasing affordable housing in town. Bob Ferrari and Alison Slack the board the town's senior population is shrinking, single-person households are on the rise and that the town should amend its bylaws to allow for the subdivision of lots and conversion of single-family homes to multiple units by special permit.

ANDOVER --- Local conservation commission members are not happy with a recent state Department of Environmental Protection that overturns their decision to deny a developer's proposal to build a 32-unit condo project called Taylor Cove.