Housing Headlines

SUDBURY --- Following reported working sessions with town officials, Robert Moss of Moss Development has downsized his Ch. 40B proposal to develop the Johnson Farm property, scaling back the project from 120 to 64 units. The new plan drew some positive reactions from the Zoning Board of Appeals but was viewed as still too big by residents attending a public meeting.

DEVENS --- After voters in Ayer and Harvard voted against Trinity Financial's plans to build 246 units, followers of the various attempts to redevelop the army base say it will never happen as long as development plans require approval of all three towns abutting the base.

BERLIN --- Developers recently celebrated the ground-breaking ceremony for a new elderly housing complex on Pleasant Street. The project, sponsored by Montachusett Home Care Corporation (MHCC) and Berlin Retirement Homes, will add 40 units of housing for seniors earning no more than 50 percent of the area median income (AMI) which in Berlin equates to $35,950 for a single person and $41,100 for a couple. Developers expect the project to be completed by next spring.

LOWELL --- An editorial in the Lowell Sun has urged the towns of Shirley, Ayer and Harvard to OK a 246-unit housing proposal for the former Fort Devens base, saying it will add badly needed affordable housing and help boost economic growth.

WENHAM --- The town is weighing whether to pass a zoning bylaw that would clear the way for the former Penguin Hall estate to be redeveloped into 238 units of independent living units for seniors. One key issue for the town is making sure the project garners a suitable amount of affordable units, either in the project or built by the developers at another location. Penguin Hall, the former headquarters of Mullin Advertising, is owned by ad company founder Jim Mullin, who is trying to develop the property in partnership with Wise Living.

SOUTHBOROUGH --- Developer Robert Moss recently proposed an affordable housing complex to the local Zoning Board of Appeals. The 140-unit complex, called Madison Place, will feature 86 one-bedroom units and 54 two-bedroom units with a third of units designated as affordable. The next town meeting to discuss the proposed project will take place on March 29.