Housing Headlines

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.

WORCESTER --- A New Hampshire based developer recently won approval from the Planning Board to redevelop the former Junction Shop mill complex into apartment units. Built between 1870 and 1878, the complex is one of the few remaining structures in what was the Junction Shops Manufacturing District. The developer plans to convert the four building that make up the complex into 181 loft-style apartments. "Some of us had trepidations about the previous plans because some demolition was involved," said planning board member Satya Mitra. "This is certainly an improvement when it comes to the preservation and maintenance of all these structures."

EASTON --- Some members of the town's Community Preservation Act Committee are wondering whether the town is spending too much of its CPA funds on housing. The concerns were voiced after the town's trust requested $520,000 to support homeownership assistance and home repair programs.

WALTHAM - Development along Watertown's Pleasant Street development zone may soon bleed into Waltham, as developers are looking to build a 200-unit apartment complex. Attorney Josh Davis --- representing developer TC Saracen, LLC --- told the city council recently that the proposed apartment complex would include seven studios, 107 one-bedroom apartments, 82 two-bedroom apartments, and four three-bedroom units, with 10 percent of the units affordable. The project would be built within the city's Riverfront Overlay District, which is near the Charles River.

BOSTON --- National Development recently presented a revised plan to turn the former Boston Herald building into a mixed-use project bringing apartments, a supermarket, restaurants, and a mini-park to the neighborhood. Under the current proposal National Development would construct four buildings, containing 471 apartment units, with below-grade parking for residents. If the city approves of the proposal, demolition could begin by the end of the year with construction starting in January 2013.