Housing Headlines

HINGHAM --- The zoning board of appeals recently rejected Avalon Bay's request to build 177 rental apartments with a Ch. 40B comprehensive permit, setting up a showdown between the town and the state over whether Hingham has enough subsidized affordable units to turn down the project. The town maintains that units in the senior assisted living complex known as Linden Ponds has put the town over the 10 percent affordable housing threshold necessary to deny 40B projects. The state has questioned whether these units are affordable given the financial arrangements Linden Ponds has with its residents.

HINGHAM --- Boston Globe contributor and Commonwealth Magazine associate editor Paul McMorrow uses Hingham's recent denial of Avalon Bay's 177-unit proposal to argue that while the housing law known as Chapter 40B produces housing, it alienates communities and increases resistance to housing and long-term growth.

HANOVER --- The town's zoning board of appeals has rejected developer Jack Sullivan's request for a Ch. 40B comprehensive permit that would allow him to build 200 rental units near the Hanover Mall. Sullivan had prevoulsy received the ZBA's OK to build 152 condos but came back and asked to switch to rental due to a declining demand for for-sale units.

HARVARD -- Ribbon cutting ceremonies took place on June 13 for the 42-unit Bowers Brook Apartments, located in a special zoning district created to encourage mixed-use housing. The development, which received a zero-percent interest $200,000 loan from the town's affordable housing trust, includes commercial space, 26 one-bedroom units and 16 two-bedroom apartment units. The maximum rent is $965 for a one-bedroom apartment and $1,195 for a two-bedroom apartment. It was developed by L.D. Russo, a local builder.

TAUNTON --- The demolition of the 150-unit Fairfax Gardens is expected to begin in July, paving the way for the federal public housing project to be replaced by mixed-income rental units developed by the Taunton Housing Authority (THA) in partnership with Boston-based Trinity Financial. The $71 million project will be financed primarily with low-income housing tax credits and a $22 million federal HOPE VI grant, which will be used to construct 88 mixed-income townhouse units at the Fairfax site and 72 other mixed-income units downtown behind the bus station.

ROCKPORT --- Utilizing a blend of local, federal and charitable funds totalling nearly $600,000, Beverly-based Harborlight Community Partners has begun renovations on Pigeon Cove Ledges, a 30-unit affordable housing development for the elderly. Renovations will include adding an elevator and other upgrades to enhance safety and wheelchair accessibility.