Housing Headlines

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.

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.

BEVERLY --- The Beverly Housing Authority recently received the final permitting required to construct two townhouses for low-income tenants on a parcel of land next to the Montserrat Station. The development will add four units of affordable housing and repair a single-family affordable home already on the site. Construction is scheduled to begin in the fall.

EASTON --- A commercial developer recently approached the town with a proposal for 41 units of rental housing on Washington Street. The plan calls for 10 one-bedroom apartments and 25 two-bedroom apartments with nine apartments designated as affordable. The complex will include an onsite gymnasium for tenants, green space, a dog walking path, a bicycle rack and garages that would rent for $100 a month. Selectmen will continue to discuss the proposal in the coming months.

MARLBOROUGH --- The Gutierrez Company recently presented a plan for a 243-unit housing complex to the ZBA. The Brookview Village development would contain a mix of bedroom types in four buildings with 61 units rented at affordable rates to qualified tenants. The development company plans to meet with local officials before moving forward with their plan.

AYER --- A ribbon-cutting ceremony was recently held at 49 Main Street to celebrate the renovation of a former clothing store into retail space and affordable apartments. Built in 1872, the former Fletcher's Clothing Store was converted to include 2,400 square feet of retail space on the first floor with six one-bedroom affordable rental apartments above. The project received $250,000 in town Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds as well as $750,000 from the state Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). For more information about the retail space or apartments, contact Joan Hauf at (978) 302-6549.